CONNECTIVE TISSUES DISEASE

TYPES

There are several types of diseases in the connective tissues. These diseases include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is a common disease and can be genetically inherited. It is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks itself. This targets the joints and may also affect the lungs, heart, and eyes. 
• Scleroderma. It is also an autoimmune disease where scars form in the skin, the internal organs, and tiny blood vessels. Statistically, more women experience this than men, especially during childbearing years.
• Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA). It was formerly called Wegener’s granulomatosis.  It is an inflammation of the blood vessels that strikes organs such as the kidneys, nose, lungs, and others. 
• Churg-Strauss Syndrome. It is also an autoimmune disease attacking a person’s cells in the lungs, gastrointestinal system, skin, and nerves.
• Systematic Lupus Erythematosus. It is a disease that affects every organ in the whole body with inflammation. More women are affected by this disease than men.
• Microscopic Polyangiitis. It is an uncommon condition that strikes the cells in the blood vessels of organs.
• The Sharp Syndrome or the Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. It is defined as having almost all connective tissue diseases like Scleroderma, SLE, and polymyositis. 
• Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease/s.  It is a condition that has the characteristics of a connective tissue disease but does not further develop into something specific. Some may develop into the other types, but most do not.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may affect the following body parts:

• Bones
• Heart & Blood Vessels
• Height
• Skin
• Head & Face
• Lungs
• Joints

DIAGNOSIS

A doctor may need to check your family’s medical history. Tests may include x-rays, tests for inflammation, tests for antibodies, blood & urine tests, and a tissue biopsy.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the type of connective tissues disease you have. Treatments vary from seeing physical therapists, medications, eye doctors, specialists, dermatologists, and others.