Connective Tissue Disease: Symptoms & Signs

Connective tissue diseases are a broad group of conditions that damage the connective tissues of the body. Connective tissues are framework tissues that hold the body together. Examples of connective tissue diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, scleroderma, and Marfan syndrome.

The signs and symptoms of connective tissue disease vary according to the specific type of connective tissue disease. Common signs and symptoms can include

• fatigue,
• fevers,
• muscle pain,
• joint pain, and
• muscle weakness.

Other symptoms and signs can include

• joint stiffness,
• shortness of breath,
• difficulty swallowing,
• rash or other skin changes, or
• swollen fingers or hands.

Cause of connective tissue disease

Autoimmune reactions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages its own tissues cause many connective tissue diseases.

Other connective tissue disease symptoms and signs

• Difficulty Swallowing
• Fatigue
• Fevers
• Joint Pain
• Joint Stiffness
• Muscle Pain
• Muscle Weakness
• Rash or Other Skin Changes
• Shortness of Breath
• Swollen Fingers or Hands