Mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) is a clinical entity with a combination of Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen hands, arthritis, esophageal hypomotility, myositis, pulmonary hypertension, sclerodactyl, skin rash, leucopenia, pleuritis, pericarditis and high levels of ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Women are 10 times more affected by this condition than men.
The Ayurvedic treatment of MCTD is aimed at controlling symptoms, maintaining normal function, and preventing or delaying complications. Medicines are given to treat specific organ or system involvement. Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Panchamrut, Laghu-Sutshekhar and Shankh-Vati are used to treat esophageal hypomotility. Raynaud's phenomenon can be treated using Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Kaishor-Guggulu, Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha and Saarivasav. Arthritis can be treated using medicines like Yograj-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Maha- Rasnadi-Qadha, Dashmoolarishta, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Agnitundi-Vati. Myositis and swollen hands can be treated using medicines like Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu and Gokshuradi-Guggulu.
Skin rash can be treated using medicines like Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Arogya-Vardhini, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu. Leucopenia can be treated using medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Punarnavadi-Mandur, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Musta (Cyperus rotundus). Sclerodactyl can be treated using Kaishor-Guggulu, Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Dashmool (Ten roots), Amalaki and Guduchi. Pleuritis and pericarditis can be treated using medicines like Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Arjunarishta, Shrung-Bhasma, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa). Pulmonary hypertension is treated using medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Shrung-Bhasma, Laxadi-Guggulu, Laxmi-Vilas-Ras and Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani.
In addition, other medicines need to be given to improve the immune status of the body and prevent multiple organ and system involvement in this disease. For this purpose, medicines like Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Parpati, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani and Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras are used. Herbal medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia) and Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta) can also be used for this purpose. A regular massage of the entire body using very fine powders of Manjishtha, Yashtimadhuk and Mandukparni can also help considerably to treat or prevent multi-system involvement in MCTD.
Patients affected with MCTD should adopt a healthy lifestyle and appropriate relaxation techniques in order to prevent or delay complications from this disease. All patients affected with MCTD should be under the regular care and supervision of a Rheumatologist.