Last Updated: 24th July, 2022

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is a medical condition which presents a combination of symptoms, and each one as a different disease could exist independently. It is an autoimmune disease and includes manifestations of Raynaud’s Phenomenon also known as Raynaud Syndrome (discoloration of the fingertips and toes in extreme temperatures), arthritis, esophageal dysfunction, myositis (inflammation of the muscles), pulmonary hypertension, sclerodactyly (solidified and as well as swollen fingers and toes) skin rash, the relatively low number of white blood cells, pleuritis (absurdly high lung coverage), pericarditis (absurdly high heart coverage), and together with high levels of ribonucleoprotein antibodies. This condition, that affects women ten times more than men.

Autoimmune diseases seem to be the clinical conditions wherein the body’s immune system — which is supposedly to protect the body from infections and diseases — it becomes dysfunctional and usually starts to target organs and tissues of the body, leading to long-term inflammatory response and damage.

Involvement of the skin and the underlying tissues can result in rash, discoloration, ulceration and pain. Such symptoms can be disturbing and affect quality of life; however, involvement of the important internal organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys can result in serious disease which may adversely affect morbidity and mortality in the long run.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is modern, conservative treatment is to repress the dysfunctional immune system through using steroids or immunosuppressive drugs; even though this results in early symptom relief, most patients tend to relapse in the long run.

The management of MCTD Ayurvedic treatment convention involves treatment of manifestations or symptoms, therapy of damaged tissues and organs, propagation of metabolism, relaxing an ultra-reactive immune system and treating all possible causes of the disease.

Causes include chronic inflammation, degeneration, chronic infections, chronic allergies, nutritional as well as toxic deficiencies grow throughout the body.

Detoxification, rejuvenation, treatment of tissues and organs, immune modulation and symptomatic treatment must be performed individually or at the same time. Considering the serious and the chronic nature of this condition, most of the time, all these treatments have to be given simultaneously.

The doctor requires to be doing a tricky balancing act while prioritizing specific treatments in order to attain tight-term goals while also not deviating away from long-term goals of treatment. Most of the time, patients tend to complain persistently of joint pains and skin rashes, while the physician has to concentrate on dysfunctional internal organs.

Treating and protecting important internal organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys, and in the long run, the utmost priority must be given to successful immune modulation.

The response to immune modulation treatment is significant and consistent when all possible causes of the condition have been addressed and chronic inflammation treated appropriately. At this stage of treatment, the normalization of tissue metabolism takes precedence, so as to prevent a relapse of the condition.

When it becomes apparent that the immune system is gradually functioning at optimal levels, the medicines can be tapered off gradually. Depending upon the severity of the condition and the treatment, patients’ response, the treatment period can range from 6 months to 24 months somewhere.

Educating the patient about a healthy diet and lifestyle at this point of time, it then becomes important to enjoy optimal health as well as to prevent a relapse of the condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can therefore be used successfully to handle and treat Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) extensively. It is important to note that patients who are already on steroids or immunosuppressant drugs should therefore continue to be treated and supervised regularly of their local doctors and rheumatologists, so that important treatment decisions can be taken in consultation with these doctors.

Simultaneous treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) with modern drugs and Ayurvedic herbal medicines can always be offered safely on a long-term ground; though, appropriate supervision and evaluating is extremely important.