Marfan syndrome is a genetic disease that affects connective tissue, causing various health problems and reducing life expectancy. Women tend to live longer than men. Symptoms vary, but can include reduced lung and blood vessel function, skin and eye disorders, and nervous system problems. Medical management can help those with Marfan syndrome live relatively normal lives.
People with Marfan syndrome are at an unfortunate disadvantage in terms of health. This genetically inherited disease causes a variety of problems, mainly with the connective tissue, which in turn can affect life expectancy. Life expectancy for people with Marfan syndrome is currently in the early 70s. This is also a significant increase in relation to the increase in normal life expectancy, as about 30 years ago the life expectancy for those suffering from this disorder was under 50 years.
Women with Marfan syndrome tend to live longer than men who also suffer from the same disease. Like most other conditions, the severity of the disease tends to vary from case to case. There are many potential symptoms associated with this disease. A person is not likely to show all possible symptoms, but they will likely experience some. This disease was first described in the late 19th century by the French pediatrician Antoine Marfan, hence the name Marfan syndrome.
Connective tissue is a very important material in the body, responsible for maintaining the stability of many structures and the normal functioning of body systems. People with Marfan syndrome are predisposed to connective tissue disorders, so it’s easy to see why their life expectancies may be shortened. Some of the typical symptoms associated with this disease are reduced function of lung tissue and blood vessels, including the aorta, which is the largest vessel in the body.
There may also be functional decreases in bodily tissues such as the skin, eyes and spinal cord lining. Skin disorders can range from cosmetic to life threatening, and eye problems can cause cataracts and other problems. The lining of the spinal cord and other nervous structures facilitates the transmission of neural impulses; therefore, the deterioration of this coating can affect the nervous system in many ways.
With the potential for so many problems, one can understand how people with Marfan syndrome are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to their health. Thankfully, there are many medically determined people to help manage these symptoms, so those with Marfan syndrome can live relatively normal lives. There are equally determined people who refuse to let an uncontrollable circumstance affect their ambition. An example is former US President Abraham Lincoln, who is theorized to be among people with Marfan syndrome.
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