The term connective tissue weakness describes an inferiority of the connective tissue in different areas of the body. Depending on which tissue is affected, a wide variety of symptoms occur. In everyday use the term connective tissue weakness is often associated with cellulite (so-called orange peel skin). However, a weakness of the connective tissue can have not only cosmetic but also sometimes serious medical consequences.
Functions of the connective tissue
The connective tissue is found throughout the body and has a supporting function. A person of normal weight consists of about a quarter to a third (approx. 20kg) of his body weight of connective tissue.
A distinction is made between different types of connective tissue such as loose, tight, gelatinous, spinocellular connective tissue or fatty tissue. Depending on their localization in the human body, several types of connective tissue are usually found next to each other and perform different functions. What all types have in common is that the tissues consist of very few cells and, in proportion, a large amount of intercellular mass.
The most important cells in the connective tissue are the so-called fibrocytes, which determine the properties of the intercellular space through the synthesis of various substances. In the intercellular space there is a mesh of fibres (mainly collagens), which consist of proteins and protect against tensile forces, and the so-called proteoglycans (protein molecules with several sugar residues), which can bind many times their own weight in water and thus act as shock absorbers. Important tasks of the connective tissue are the maintenance of the organ shape and its protection against damage. In addition, the connective tissue serves as an important water reservoir and assumes important functions in the defence against pathogens and in the cell cycle.
Causes of a connective tissue weakness
The more tightening fibers (collagen fibers) are located in the interstitial substance of the connective tissue, the higher the tissue tension. If their number or quality decreases, this leads to so-called connective tissue weakness. The most important factor for the development of a connective tissue weakness is a genetic predisposition.
A weakness of the connective tissue is therefore usually congenital, and such symptoms are often widespread in the families of those affected. The genetic factor cannot be manipulated or treated, which rules out the causal treatment of a connective tissue weakness. Another important factor is age, since a congenital connective tissue weakness will always increase with age.
The hormone situation is also decisive. During pregnancy and the menopause, for example, there are fluctuating concentrations of the female sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone), making the connective tissue particularly susceptible. This is one of the reasons why women generally suffer from connective tissue weakness much more frequently than men.
However, in addition to these factors, which are already established from birth, an unhealthy lifestyle and certain behaviours also play a role in exacerbating the problem. First of all, lack of exercise should be mentioned here, which in many cases leads to the early and increased development of a connective tissue weakness. Smoking, alcohol consumption and a monotonous, high-fat diet also reduce the quality of the connective tissue. In addition, taking certain drugs (e.g. cortisone) can lead to the development of connective tissue weakness despite a healthy lifestyle and a lack of genetic predisposition. During pregnancy as well as in the case of strong weight fluctuations (e.g. in the context of diets or eating disorders), the connective tissue is alternately stretched and loosened, which wears out and damages its tight fibres and can lead to connective tissue weakness.
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