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- $Unique_ID{BRK01922}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Connective Tissue Disease: Causes and Treatment}
- $Subject{Connective Tissue tissues Disease diseases cause Causes caused treat
- Treatment arthritis treatments collagen ligament ligaments cartilage muscle
- muscles bone bones inflame inflammation auto immune response responses body
- bodies defense defenses systemic lupus erythematous scleroderma polymyositis
- dermatomyositis polymyalgia rheumatica temporal Sjogren syndrome rheumatoid RA
- female females woman women man men male males symptom symptoms swell swollen
- swelling pain painful joint joints hand hands foot feet red redden Morning
- stiff stiffness fatigue symmetrical lung lungs eye eyes heart antibody
- antibodies factor factors x-ray X-rays damage damages chronic NSAIDs
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug drugs corticosteroid corticosteroids
- medicate medication medications prescription prescriptions gold compound
- penicillamine immunosuppressive methotrexate nutrition nutritional
- physiotherapy exercise exercises surgery surgeries surgical deformity
- deformities autoimmune}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Anatomy of the Finger*0001701.scf
- Exercise has Overall Benefits*0003209.scf
- Exercise Helps Strength and Flexibility*0003204.scf
- Progressive Levels of Arthritis*0005601.scf
- Rheumatoid Arthritis*0001703.scf
- Typical Rheumatoid Hand Deformities*0005602.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Connective Tissue Disease: Causes and Treatment
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-
- QUESTION: My sister who lives 1200 miles away has been diagnosed with
- connective tissue disease. Please speak about this disease in your column as
- to what we can expect and the cause and cure if any. She is the only one of 7
- children who has this and arthritis to the point where she can barely get
- around since she was in her 40's. She is now 57. Thank you so much for your
- interesting and informative column.
-
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-
- ANSWER: One of the most interesting and important tissues in our bodies is
- connective tissue. It serves many purposes, often as the support or framework
- around which the organs may form. The tissue is formed by collagen, a fibrous
- protein which is also found in large quantities in ligaments, cartilage,
- muscles and bone. When inflammation strikes at this tissue it is known as
- connective tissue disease. The cause of this inflammatory reaction is not
- completely understood, but current thinking is that it represents an auto
- immune response. That occurs when the natural defense mechanisms of the body
- strikes at the body's own tissues. Since connective tissue is such an
- important component of so many of the organs and systems in the body, the
- results of this disease may present many different appearances.
- Some of the diseases that are classified as connective tissue diseases
- include systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma, polymyositis and
- dermatomyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis as well as
- Sjogren's syndrome. But perhaps the disease that you are most interested in,
- because of your sister's ailment, is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It affects
- about 1 percent of the population, is 2 to 3 times more common in women than
- in men, and although its onset may occur at any age, most often begins between
- the ages of 25 and 50.
- The symptoms are quite extensive, with swelling and pain in the smaller
- joints of the hands and feet. During the episodes of acute flare ups, the
- joints become warm to the touch, redden, and the pain may become quite
- intense, all signs of an active inflammation. Morning stiffness after a
- night's sleep may last for as long as 30 minutes, and patients frequently
- experience early afternoon fatigue as well. Usually more than one joint is
- affected, and the same joint is affected on both sides of the body, a pattern
- physicians call "symmetrical". The disease affects other organs as well
- including the heart, the lungs and eyes.
- Though the history and a careful physical examination can be sufficient
- to make a diagnosis, laboratory tests are generally used to confirm the
- diagnosis. Abnormal antibodies called the "rheumatoid factors" can be found
- in 4 out of 5 patients with this disease. X-rays are also useful to establish
- the amount of joint damage, and to track the progress of the disease.
- Although the periods of flare up are interspersed with calmer times of
- relative remission, the disease is a chronic one. RA is the most crippling
- form of arthritis, and I can't predict the course of the disease for you, as
- it is variable. However proper treatment can do a great deal to alleviate the
- pain and suffering. Aspirin is still a basic medication, as are the newer
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Corticosteroids are often used
- for they produce dramatic short term relief. Other medications include an
- oral gold compound, penicillamine, and immunosuppressive drugs like
- methotrexate. Good nutrition, physiotherapy, exercise and rest are all
- important components of a complete treatment plan, and surgical procedures are
- often used to remedy deformities and restore a fuller range of motion in
- affected joints.
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-