Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Mixed connective tissue disease is defined as the disease which has signs and symptoms of different disorders like lupus, polymyositis and scleroderma some people also developed Sjogren’s syndrome therefore it is also known as overlap disease.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms include:
- Reddish brown color rash appeared over the knuckles
- Edema on fingers or hands
- Muscles pain
- Joint pain
- Fatigue and malaise
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
Causes
The exact cause of this disease it still unknown but it may be assumed that this disease appeared due to the over activation of the immune system which antibodies against the self-antigen.
Complications
It may lead to the following serious complications:
- Heart disease
- Kidney failure
- Anemia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Nerve damage
- Hearing loss
- Interstitial lung disease
- GIT problems
Diagnosis
After taking medical history your doctor performs the physical examination to check the swollen-on joints and might recommend the blood test to check any specific antibody.
Treatment
There are no specific treatment options available for this disease, medications only reduce signs and symptoms, medicine includes:
- Antimalarial drugs to prevent flare-up
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Medicine for pulmonary hypertension
- Calcium channel blocker to relax heart muscle
- immunosuppressants
Lifestyle and home remedies
Following tips will help to reduce signs and symptoms:
- Avoid smoking
- Reduce stress
- Wear gloves to prevent cold and Raynaud’s phenomenon on hands
- Anti-inflammatory drugs