Behcet’s disease is a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from canker sores, rashes on the skin, wounds in the genital area, arthritis, to visual impairment.
Behcet’s disease is a type of chronic vasculitis that can subside on its own and then relapse. Inflammation of blood vessels caused by Behcet’s disease can occur in almost all parts of the body. This condition can also attack arterial and venous blood vessels. Behcet’s disease can be experienced by anyone, but is more common in the 20–30 age group.
Behcet’s Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of Behcet’s disease vary by person. Behcet’s disease can disappear and appear on its own. The signs and symptoms experienced depend on which part of the body is affected by inflammation of the disease.
Areas of the body that are commonly affected by Behcet disease include:
#1. Mouth
Painful canker sores are the most common sign of Behcet’s disease. Canker sores usually heal within seven to 21 days, even though they reappear later.
#2. Skin
Skin problems can vary. Some people have acne-like wounds on the body. Others can be red rashes that are soft on the skin, especially on the lower legs.
#3. Genitals
Wounds on the genitals usually occur in the scro**tum or vulva. Genital wounds are usually painful and can leave scars.
#4. Eyes
Behcet’s disease can cause inflammation of the eye called uveitis. Uveitis causes one or both red eyes, pain and blurred vision. The distractions can come and go. Inflammation of the retinal blood vessels is a serious complication of the disorder.
#5. Joints
Swelling and joint pain in the knees. The ankle, elbow or wrist may also be affected. Signs and symptoms can last one to three weeks and disappear on their own.
#6. Circulatory system
Inflammation of the blood vessels and large arteries causes swelling, redness, pain and in the arms or legs. Inflammation of large arteries can lead to complications, such as an aneurysm and narrowing or blockage of blood vessels.
#7. Digestive system
Behcet’s disease can cause a variety of signs and symptoms that affect the digestive system, including abdominal pain, diarrhea or bleeding.
#8. Brain
Behcet’s disease can cause inflammation in the brain and the nervous system that leads to headaches, fever, disorders or strokes.
Behcet’s Disease Causes
Behcet’s disease is thought to have originated from an autoimmune disorder. This happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks some of its own healthy cells. Genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the occurrence of Behcet syndrome.
Several genes have been found to be linked to the disease. There are several viruses and bacteria that can trigger Behcet’s disease in people who have certain genes that make it susceptible to Behcet’s syndrome.
Behcet syndrome can occur in anyone. However, there are several factors that increase the risk. This syndrome is more commonly found in:
- Men and women aged 20-30 years
- People living in the Middle East and East Asia such as Turkey, Iran, Japan, and China
- Men are more reported to have Behcet’s syndrome than women
- A person who has certain genes is more at risk of developing Behcet’s syndrome than others.
Behcet’s Disease Prevention
Because Behcets disease is a rare autoimmune disease, until now it is still unknown how to prevent the occurrence of Behcets disease.
Behcet’s Disease Diagnosis
One of the challenges in diagnosing Behcet’s disease is, its symptoms that rarely appear simultaneously. Mouth sores, skin rashes, and inflammation of the eyes can also be symptoms of several other diseases.
The doctor also does not have a single examination to diagnose Behcet’s disease. Your doctor can diagnose you with Behcet’s disease if the wound in the mouth area appears three times a year, and is followed by the appearance of the following two symptoms:
- Wounds in the genital area that appear, then disappear
- Wounds on the skin area
- Positive skin prick test, in which a red lump appears on the skin when punctured with a needle.
- Inflammation of the eye area that affects vision.
Source:
- Image: P Thomas, A Keightley, R Kamble, N Gunasekera, M R Johnson, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Video: Strong Medicine