Symptoms
Symptoms of connective tissue disorders can vary depending on the affected areas. The most serious symptoms are related to inflammation around the lungs. These symptoms involving the lungs may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
- A cough with bloody phlegm
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Respiratory failure
Other symptoms not involving the lungs may include:
- Swelling in the fingers
- White fingertips
- Numb fingertips
- Joint pain or weakness
- Muscle weakness
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of connective tissue disorders is not always known. Some are caused by a genetic component, while others can be caused by injury. Others seem to appear without any known cause. Certain conditions may show an increased rate of occurrence in certain groups but they can affect both men and women of all ages.