It’s difficult to say exactly where Behcet’s disease came from, since scientists were not able to fully study the etiology of this disease. It is only known that the genetic predisposition plays a key role. Most often, men under 40 are at risk. The development of the disease contributes to a reduced immunity or a weak human immune system from birth.
History Information
From the very beginning, doctors could not diagnose this disease, since it manifests itself with the help of many symptoms. For example, pus can occur in the eye chamber, small sores appear on the cornea of ​​the eyes, as well as on the genitals and in the mouth. But in 1937, a Turkish dermatologist with the surname Behcet was able to identify the main symptoms that were inherent in all patients with this problem, after which they separated this disease into a separate group, hence the name.
Who is at risk?
As a rule, the disease occurs in Asian countries. According to statistics, Turkey ranks first in incidence. If we take into account the information on the East, then in this case more men are sick than women, and in Europe the incidence among women is higher.
Most often, the disease begins to appear in the period from 25 to 30 years. If the disease affects the child’s body, then, most likely, the main blow will fall on the baby’s eyesight, it ends mainly with blindness.
When does the disease occur?
No doctor can say why exactly Behcet’s disease can occur, but most of them adhere to the theory that an active autoimmune process that causes inflammation of the vessel walls can provoke the disease. The main factors that can all affect this are:
- Infections that occur in the human body constantly and have a chronic form. It can be herpes or streptococcal tonsillitis.
- Genetic tendency if the disease has already occurred in the family before.
- In the case when the human body was exposed to toxic substances.
- The constant use of alcohol by man for a long time.
As soon as the pathology begins to develop, then the corresponding changes immediately occur in the body, they can even affect the aorta and other large arteries.
How to recognize a disease?
It should be noted that changes in the whole body may indicate that a person develops Behcet's disease. Symptoms may include:
- First of all, you need to pay attention to ulceration of the mucous membranes. Small sores can be in the mouth, gradually they can merge and turn into one big wound. Stomatitis occurs for a long time with frequent relapses.
- A person may notice that the nodes on the legs and arms begin to grow and blush, while the patient will feel pain.
- A rash of blackheads begins throughout the body.
- During the year a person suffers from persistent conjunctivitis. When the disease is severe, then blindness occurs.
- Later, the patient may have thromboses of not only small vessels, but also large ones. That is why deaths occur when Behcet’s disease is observed.
- When pathologies concern the nervous system, inflammatory processes in the brain can be observed, pressure rises, dementia begins to develop.
Depending on the nature of the disease, there are complications. When joints are involved in the pathological process, a person may lose mobility, if the destructive process touches the lungs, then a person may experience coughing and hemoptysis. Less commonly, Behcet's disease spreads to the kidneys, stomach, intestines, and heart. It is also worth considering that if you suspect Behcet's disease, the symptoms in women will differ from those in men. The disease is much less common in women than in men, and first of all in women, the genitals are affected, ulcers appear on them, since the mucous membrane there is very delicate and vulnerable.
How is the disease diagnosed?
If there is a suspicion of a disease, then the doctors immediately conduct a complete diagnosis. The survey must necessarily be comprehensive. As soon as the patient goes to the doctor, the specialist will immediately take into account the pathological processes. When pathologies develop and Behcet's disease is suspected, the diagnosis should be as follows:
- First of all, a blood and urine test is performed.
- Blood test for biochemistry.
- Tests for the immune system.
- A coagulogram is made.
- A special test is done, which consists in the fact that the patient is pierced with a needle and they look at the reaction after two days, if the rash begins, then we can assume that the result is positive.
- The doctor may additionally be prescribed an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
- An x-ray of the lungs and joints is prescribed.
- Given that Behcet's disease in women may differ in their symptoms, vaginal swabs are taken.
Of course, the main specialist is a therapist, it is he who can prescribe an appointment with other doctors, it can be: a rheumatologist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, gynecologist, neurologist and immunologist.
What are the criteria for a doctor to diagnose?
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will rely on the following criteria:
- Stomatitis, which is almost permanent.
- For women and for men, these are genital ulcers. Oddly enough, there is Behcet’s disease in children, but such cases are very rare. Most often, cases are associated with the fact that the disease is transmitted to the child from the mother, through the placenta during pregnancy.
- An optometrist can make a diagnosis if there is a specific eye lesion.
It is enough for a person to highlight only three main symptoms to establish an accurate diagnosis. Stomatitis is considered a prerequisite, but if it is not, the doctor will have to check the patient for other serious diseases, such as AIDS, arthritis, malignant cancers, and exclude lupus erythematosus.
How to treat the disease?
It is impossible to cure Behcet’s disease to the end, since it is incurable. Therefore, doctors prescribe patients such treatment that will help them live longer and reduce the impact of negative pathologies on the human body. When a patient has serious complications, therapy takes place in a hospital under the supervision of doctors, after improvement you can continue to be treated at home. The main way to eliminate the symptoms is medication.
A disease can simultaneously affect several organs, therefore, in this case, doctors closely interact with each other and prescribe an alternative treatment with drugs. Suppose, if large vessels are affected, then all the forces of doctors should be aimed at preventing the development of thrombosis.
Main therapy
As a rule, if Behcet’s disease is diagnosed, treatment can be carried out using two groups of drugs:
- Glucocorticoids. This group of drugs is necessary in order to reduce the inflammatory process in the body. Patients should drink these medications in courses, as they relate to hormonal medications, and after remission, these medications can be canceled. If there are rashes on the skin, an ointment is often prescribed, if the shell of the eyes is affected, then drops are prescribed. Only a doctor can prescribe these drugs, since there are many contraindications in the presence of other serious diseases.
- Immunosuppressants are used to lower the immune response, because, as a rule, it is directed against its own tissues. Patients should always remember that they should protect themselves from colds and various infections, since a simple cold can turn into a huge number of complications.
In addition to the above drugs, a doctor may prescribe painkillers, if necessary for a sick person.
When should I see a doctor?
Naturally, first of all, you should consult a doctor when symptoms appear. Behcet's disease is easily recognized. But each patient who already knows that he is sick should remember the basic rules:
- When exacerbations occur, which are then accompanied by remissions, you should constantly be under the supervision of a doctor and take all the necessary tests.
- If the patient will strictly follow all the recommendations of doctors, then the period of exacerbation can be significantly reduced, including the patient’s life itself.
- As soon as the patient can notice the manifestation of new symptoms, he must consult a specialist.
It is important to remember: in the case when Behcet’s disease develops, treatment with folk remedies will not be able to give a positive result, it can only be used as an auxiliary, and not the main. For example, in order to reduce the rash on the skin, you can prepare special ointments on herbs or make a decoction of chamomile and nettle. Vitamin-fortified teas based on thyme, peppermint and linden may be useful. In any case, it is possible to take any drug, whether it’s folk or medication, with the permission of a doctor, so as not to worsen the condition of an already weakened organism.
Complications of the disease
If you consider a large number of photos, Behcet’s disease is mainly presented in the form of stomatitis and a rash on the skin, but this is not all that can happen to the human body. In no case should you be dismissive of such a serious disease that, if improperly treated, can cause additional complications:
- If you do not heal the eyes, then secondary glaucoma occurs, later atrophy of the optic nerve may still occur. As a result, the patient becomes either completely blind, or can see only 20%. A person can become completely blind very quickly, sometimes only five years after the disease has begun is enough.
- When the brain is affected, a complication arises in the form of meningoencephalitis, which, in turn, will lead to paralysis, hearing loss and mental retardation.
- In the case when the disease affects the peripheral arteries, thrombosis occurs, which very quickly develops into gangrene.
- If the patient is affected by the nervous system, then death can occur, therefore, such patients are under special control by doctors.
Doctors Forecasts
Statistics indicate that 16% of patients die within five years of being diagnosed with pulmonary artery rupture or thrombosis. 20% of patients die if the nervous system is affected. In other cases, blindness may occur. It is necessary to take into account the fact that the main signs when Behcet’s disease occurs, symptoms, photos indicate different forms of the disease, they can occur easily and not cause significant harm to health, but can occur in a complex form, and not all patients can overcome them . Serious cases, scientists record in patients at a young age, but pathologies do not become the cause of death, most often they lead to complications.
Disease Prevention
As mentioned above, specialists cannot yet establish for what reasons the disease occurs, so it is not yet possible to develop methods of prevention. The only way to carry out at least some kind of prophylaxis will be the opportunity to prevent exacerbation, and for this, patients should follow these rules:
- Do not interrupt taking medications that were prescribed by your doctor.
- At the first symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
If you treat your health with special thrift, you can increase the patient’s life span, but for this you need to listen not only to your body, but also to the recommendations of your doctor.