Behcet's disease

Behcet's disease is a rare disease and has a chronic course. Characterized pathology development of inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Among the features of the ailment it is necessary to distinguish the presence of recurrent (repeated) oral and genital ulcers, as well as inflammatory diseases of sight.

The causes of the development of pathology are not known reliably. Experts suggest that Behcet's disease is caused by an autoimmune reaction. Such a state arises in the case of an erroneous attack of the immune system of the tissues of one's own organism. This disorder can be hereditary in nature.

Despite the fact that the exact reason why Behcet's disease occurs is not established, experts identify individual groups of people most prone to the occurrence of pathology. They include, in particular, persons living in Asia, the Middle East, Japan, and women are more likely to fall ill. In Europe, on the contrary, are more susceptible to the development of male pathology. Behcet's syndrome is noted between the ages of twenty and thirty.

Manifestations of pathology can be moderate or very severe. A characteristic feature of the disease is the periodicity of the onset of symptoms - they can appear, disappear, and after - appear again. Often relapse is observed after months. Symptoms may appear after a few years.

One of the common manifestations accompanied by Behcet's disease is oral wounds. Damage (sometimes painful) in the oral cavity is noted in almost all people with this disease. As a rule, wounds heal within ten or fourteen days and lead to the formation of scars.

For pathology, the development of genital ulcers is also characteristic. In men, they are more often localized on the scrotum or penis, in women - inside the vagina or on the vulva. Just like oral wounds, can be accompanied by soreness and lead to the formation of scars.

Ophthalmic (eye) inflammations are another symptom of Behcet's disease, and are manifested by reddening, the appearance of "fog" before the eyes, increased tearing, sensitivity to light. In the absence of timely treatment, serious complications are likely, up to partial or complete blindness.

Among the manifestations of the disease, experts also note arthritis (articular inflammation). In general, the symptom is accompanied by intense pain. As a rule, permanent joint damage does not occur.

People suffering from Behcet's disease often have skin lesions. Ulcers, wounds are represented by flat red spots. Most often appear in the upper region of the trunk and on the legs.

Other common manifestations of pathology include the formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis), severe fatigue during the exacerbation of the disease, aneurysms (protrusion in the wall of the vessel), a strong vasodilation, disturbances of the heart rhythm, myocarditis. Patients may have inflammation of the brain tissue, provoking convulsions, stroke, confusion, memory disorders, headaches. In rare cases, there may be problems with the digestive tract.

It should be noted that the diagnosis of the condition is very difficult. This is due to the similarity of manifestations of pathology with the symptoms of various diseases and the slow course of the disease. In addition, there are no specific methods for clarifying the diagnosis of Behcet's disease.

There is also no specific treatment of the condition. However, the use of certain procedures allows you to suspend the process. Therapeutic measures mainly affect the prevention or limitation of symptoms.

With Behcet's disease, corticosteroid drugs (with anti-inflammatory effect), pain medications and immunosuppressive agents (Interferon, Cyclosporine and others) are used.