Introduction:

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare form of rheumatic systemic inflammation. The term “overlap syndromes” is used to describe rheumatic conditions where a patient exhibits symptoms of more than one traditional inflammatory rheumatic disease. MCTD is a particular subgroup of this larger category. Systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis are some of the most common rheumatic illnesses. People who have an overlap syndrome may or may not fully satisfy the diagnostic requirements for one (or more) typical rheumatic disease. A laboratory finding distinguishes MCTD from other overlap syndromes: Rheumatic overlap syndrome and anti-RNP antibodies are seen in MCTD patients. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the term “MCTD” only be applied to patients who exhibit clinical characteristics that include at least one of the following “common manifestations”: Raynaud’s phenomenon, swollen hands, or puffy fingers. Three different connective tissue disorders are present in mixed connective tissue disease.

• The inflammatory condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect a variety of organs. Fever, exhaustion, joint discomfort, weakness, and rashes on your face, neck, and upper body are some symptoms.
• Scleroderma is a condition where your skin, underlying tissue, and organs abnormally thicken and harden.
• Polymyositis: inflammation and swelling of the muscles.

Causes:

Autoimmune responses against oneself (MCTD) are the root reason. The anti-RNP immune response, which contributes to the disease’s definition, also seems to mediate some of the harm it causes. All human cells typically include RNP molecules in the nucleus, where they contribute to the production of messenger RNA and are hidden from the immune system. RNP molecules, on the other hand, can be made available to the immune system in dead or dying cells. Because RNP molecules in humans and single-celled creatures without immune systems are so similar, the human immune system can be tricked into thinking that RNP is a harmful invader. The likelihood of getting MCTD is influenced by several genes that regulate the immune system’s receptivity to intruders and capacity to conceal or eliminate dead cell debris. The risk may also be increased by previous immunological exposures to substances that resemble RNP (such as previous virus infections). There may be other influences from the environment and heredity on the severity and signs of MCTD, as well as the risk of developing it.

Symptoms:

Raynaud syndrome (in which the fingers suddenly turn very pale, tingle, numb, or blue in response to a cold or emotional upset), inflammation of the joints (arthritis), swelling hands, weakness in the muscles, trouble swallowing, heartburn, and shortness of breath are common symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease. Raynaud’s syndrome may appear several years before other symptoms. Whatever the initial cause of mixed connective tissue disease, it usually gets worse and spreads to different sections of the body.

Rashes resembling lupus may appear. Skin tightness on the fingers is one example of a skin alteration that resembles systemic sclerosis. Hair loss could occur. Aching joints are a common symptom of mixed connective tissue disease. People who have arthritis typically experience discomfort and swelling in about 75% of cases. Due to damage to the muscle fibers caused by mixed connective tissue disease, the muscles, particularly in the shoulders and hips, may feel weak and sore. Getting out of a chair, ascending stairs, and moving the arms over the shoulders can all become quite challenging.

Up to 70% of people with mixed connective tissue diseases experience lung illness. The lungs may become clogged with fluid. The most serious issue for some people, which results in shortness of breath when exerting themselves, is impaired lung function. The most prevalent lung conditions are interstitial lung disorders, which damage the tissue around the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli). A significant cause of death is pulmonary hypertension, a condition in which the pulmonary arteries’ blood pressure is unusually high. Heart failure can occur occasionally when the heart is weak. Fluid retention, tiredness, and shortness of breath are some signs of heart failure. About 25% of people have kidney damage, which is often moderate compared to the damage brought on by lupus. Fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and stomach aches are possible additional symptoms.

Diagnosis:

Mixed connective tissue disease is diagnosed based on all available data, including symptoms, the findings of the physical examination, and the outcomes of all tests. When the symptoms of polymyositis, systemic sclerosis, and lupus coexist, doctors suspect mixed connective tissue disease. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and an antibody to ribonucleoprotein (RNP), which are typically present in individuals with mixed connective tissue disease, are measured in blood samples. The disease is most likely to affect people with high levels of these antibodies, but no other antibodies are associated with disorders that are comparable to this one.

Blood test findings can aid in the identification of the illness, but they alone cannot establish a conclusive diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease because the abnormalities they occasionally find can also be found in healthy individuals or those who have other conditions. Doctors use echocardiography to evaluate the heart and pulmonary function testing to evaluate the lungs to determine whether a patient has pulmonary hypertension. In order to identify issues, doctors may perform further tests such as an MRI or a muscle biopsy (removal of a portion of muscle tissue for examination and testing).

Homeopathic Treatment:

The best treatment for mixed connective tissue illness is reportedly homeopathy. It effectively treats and prevents the needless amputation of good tissues. Homeopathy is a completely natural procedure that has been doing wonders for centuries. Since it operates on the premise that illness can be treated by encouraging the body to heal itself, it is incredibly effective in treating mixed connective tissue disease. Homoeopathy has aided in the treatment of mixed connective tissue disease in a number of different ways.

Although it can be difficult to identify and propose each homeopathic remedy for a certain ailment because it is determined by the patient’s symptoms, it is not impossible. The goal of homeopathic treatment is to identify the underlying cause of the things that set them off and aid in restoring the body’s immune system to equilibrium. Depending on the organs affected and the severity of the ailment, MCTD treatment must be customized for each patient. Some people might only require care when their symptoms flare up, while others could need it constantly.

Precaution:

The symptoms and signs of mixed connective tissue disease can be reduced by making several lifestyle changes:

• Four or five times a week of consistent exercise increases muscle strength, lowers blood pressure, and lowers the risk of heart disease.
• It’s crucial to break the habit of smoking. Smoking leads blood vessels to thin, which worsens Raynaud’s syndrome symptoms. Additionally, smoking raises blood pressure.
• A diet rich in fiber promotes the health of the digestive system. For people with MCTD, adding whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to their diet is advantageous. Limiting salt consumption is essential since a diet high in salt relates to high blood pressure. For people with MCTD, pulmonary hypertension is the main cause of death. It’s also crucial to get adequate iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia.