It takes most people years to get a diagnosis. The cause of the disease is not clear and there is no known cure for this progressive disease. Researchers believe that viruses may trigger the misdirected immune response.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an auto-immune disorder with a combination of symptoms from various connective disease such as Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Raynaud's syndrome and Polymyositis Apparently it can develop into one or more of the other connective tissue diseases later progresses.
In autoimmune disorders, such as MCTD, the immune system that is responsible for fighting off diseases, mistakes normal healthy cells for intruders and tries to destroy them. In MTCD the immune system mistakenly attacks the fibers of the body that provide the framework and support your body.
*MCTD can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, endocrine, digestive and nervous systems, and blood vessels which all are made up of connective tissue. There are reports of psychiatric disturbances, and the signs and symptoms of MCTD differ from person to person, with symptoms of either Lupus, or Scleroderma or Myositis or other autoimmune disease being most prevalent. the disease can range from mild to life threatening. the lungs and kidneys are particularly at risk.
The disease usually beginning when a person is in their 20's or 30's. It is estimated to attack women 8 to 15 times more frequently than it attacks men. So, it is primarily a woman's disease, as are most of the 80 (to 120) or so autoimmune diseases.
As for me, I currently have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Raynaud's Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sjogren's Syndrome. My kidneys have started to become affected. Yes, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is the disease in which that you keep collecting more autoimmune diseases. It is beginning to feel like I'm collecting them all.
*http://mylifewithmctd.blogspot.com/
Nicely designed Blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wayne
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