Behcet’s Disease: Causes, Diagnosis and Risk Factors

A rare condition, definition:

They are also called “Behcet Syndrome,” a rare disease that causes excellent inflammation in the blood vessels throughout the body.

This disease is somewhat silent because its symptoms are prevalent with other conditions. One of the first signs that manifest is rashes at the level of the skin, ulcers in the mouth and genitals, and inflammation in the eyes.

Each person manifests the symptoms of this disease differently, so it is difficult to diagnose with certainty at first.

This disease, which can even lead to blindness in its worst cases, has a treatment that seeks to reduce symptoms, which do not disappear from one day to the next.

What causes Behcet’s disease?

It is not known precisely what causes this disease. However, some research has determined that it may have a cause of autoimmunity, meaning that the same body and its immune system attack your healthy cells by mistake.

It is believed that this may be a disease influenced by several factors because the genetic and environmental factor plays an important role; in turn, it is thought that some bacteria or viruses can also develop this disease.

 

Your risk factors

There are some situations in particular where this condition can develop more quickly, among which are:

Genetics: Some genes are more willing to develop this condition.

Age: Although children and older people can develop Behcet’s disease, it usually affects people between 20 and 30 years old.

Place of origin: It has been shown that people living in China, Japan, the Middle East, and the Far East are more likely to develop the disease.

Sex: With more significant symptoms and severity in men, Behcet’s disease can develop in both men and women.

Diagnosing Behcet’s disease

As already mentioned, it is difficult to diagnose this disease with certainty; this is why doctors work to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. However, blood tests and other laboratory tests may be done to rule out.

Generally, doctors are based on criteria to achieve the classification of the disease according to its symptoms, among which are:

Canker sores: The vast majority of people with this disease have ulcers or sores in their mouths, so the first thing the doctor will examine is the oral cavity.

Vision problems: An appointment with an ophthalmologist can determine if there is inflammation in the eyes.

Genital ulcers: Similarly, the genitals are also affected by these ulcerations and sores.

Sores or ulcers on the skin can be very similar to acne; they are rashes found in various body parts.

Any cure or treatment?

Because it is a complex diagnosis disease, doctors do not currently have a specific treatment to cure it. However, applying palliative treatments is a great relief and help for patients suffering from this disease.

Doctors can prescribe medications that help control ulcers temporarily and inflammation and pain; this is in the case of presenting mild symptoms.

In suffering moderate or severe symptoms, doctors generally prescribe broad-spectrum medications to control signs throughout the body.

The ointments, creams, and gels for the skin applied directly to the skin and ulcers can be of great relief, and the application of corticosteroid medications.

Ophthalmologists prescribe drops with corticosteroids that relieve redness and inflammation for ocular inflammation.

Moreover, about ulcers in the mouth, there are currently mouth rinses on the market that help reduce the inflammation of ulcers and prevent their redness.