Index
This rare condition has among its signs a mixture of disorders such as scleroderma, polymyositis, and lupus, mainly.
It is a rare disease since the symptoms appear separately, not all simultaneously, which can cause them to appear temporarily for a long time, months, and even years, making their diagnosis a complicated task.
Usually, the first symptom can be seen in the hands of the patient; the tips of their fingers take a whitish color and lack much sensitivity while their fingers swell.
Because it is a disease that develops over many years, it silently attacks vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
What causes this disease?
It is unknown why this disease develops because it has a history of immune disorders of the body. By mistake, the cells that defend the body from infections attack and destroy the body’s organs. Therefore it is an autoimmune disease.
Even to this day, this is a mystery to the scientific community, and medical researchers continue to look for the cause to achieve the identification of the proteins that cause this disorder in the immune system.
The role of the genes is not yet clear, and this is not the reason.
What are your symptoms?
- The sensation of constant discomfort and fever and very mild fatigue.
- Swelling in the tips of the fingers.
- Muscle pains.
- Pains and deformation of the joints.
- White or purple-blue coloration in cold environments.
- Reddish coloration in warm climates.
- Skin rash.
A significant risk factor.
Although this disease can occur in any age group, it generally has a more significant predominance in women under 30.
Factors to watch and their complications
Pulmonary hypertension: This is the leading cause of death in patients.
Alterations of the digestive tract: Abdominal pains and problems digesting food are widespread.
Heart diseases: There is a greater degree of developing cardiovascular diseases in people with this condition.
Hearing loss: Loss of sense of hearing can occur in up to half of the patients.
Tissue death (necrosis): Patients may develop gangrene in the fingers.
Anemia: Approximately 75% of patients have iron deficiency in the blood.
Is there any treatment?
Doctors are currently prescribing corticosteroid medications to reduce the amount and intensity of symptoms of this disease in patients. However, the use of these medications can lead to health risks.
Patients with mixed connective tissue disease should take vitamin D and calcium daily to achieve more excellent relief of symptoms and side effects of corticosteroid medications.
