What is Behçet's Disease?
BIt is a chronic and autoimmune disease that occurs as a result of the immune system attacking its own tissues. It usually manifests itself with recurrent wounds in the mouth and genital area, skin lesions and eye inflammation. The disease can affect the body's blood vessels, causing a wide range of symptoms. Although the exact cause of Behçet's disease is unknown, it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Behçet's disease is more common, especially in the Mediterranean and Far Eastern regions, and is usually seen in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40. The disease progresses with occasional flare-ups and improvements. Although there is no definitive treatment for Behçet's disease, it is possible to control the symptoms and improve the quality of life. In our clinic, we offer the most up-to-date approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of Behçet's disease. If you have symptoms of Behçet's disease, you can contact our clinic for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes Behçet's Disease?
It is accepted that Behçet's disease occurs as a result of a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The risk of developing the disease is higher in individuals with a family history of Behçet's disease. However, genetic predisposition alone does not explain the occurrence of the disease; Environmental triggers may also play a role in the development of the disease. It is thought that especially infections, stress and some environmental factors may trigger the symptoms of the disease by affecting the immune system. In our clinic, we provide comprehensive information about the causes of this disease, helping our patients understand their risk factors and live a healthy life.
What are the symptoms of Behçet's disease?
One of the first symptoms of Behçet's disease is painful sores in the mouth. These sores are usually round and whitish with a red ring around them. These sores inside the mouth can make eating and speaking difficult.
Red, inflamed spots or acne-like rashes may appear on the skin. These lesions usually occur in areas such as the legs and arms and may itch or cause discomfort.
Symptoms of inflammation may occur in the eyes. Eye problems such as pain, redness, blurred vision or sensitivity to light may occur. These conditions can affect your eyesight and lead to long-term problems if left untreated. Additionally, pain and swelling in the joints may be experienced. Pain may be felt especially in the knees, wrists and elbows. These joint problems can limit mobility and make daily activities difficult.
In rare cases, symptoms affecting the nervous system may also occur. Symptoms such as headaches, balance problems or numbness may occur. These symptoms may indicate a more serious disease. Symptoms of Behçet's disease may vary from person to person and may change over time.
Who Gets Behçet's Disease?
Behçet's disease usually begins before the age of 40 and occurs equally frequently in both men and women. However, the disease may be more severe in young men. As age progresses, the complaints caused by Behçet's disease generally decrease and the disease may have a milder course. This is important to understand the changing effects of the disease over time and management strategies.
Behcet's disease is more common in countries with similar genetic characteristics and on the Silk Road. For this reason, Behçet's disease, also known as "Silk Road disease", is one of the most common immune system diseases in Turkey. In addition, this disease has a special importance in our country because it is named after the Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet.
Is Behçet's Disease Contagious?
Behçet's disease is not a contagious disease. We would like to clearly state that Behçet's disease does not pass from person to person and is not transmitted through any infection. This disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and develops as a result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors.
Causes of Behçet's disease include genetic predisposition, environmental triggers and impairment of the immune system. However, the disease is not caused by germs, viruses or bacteria and therefore is not transmitted to others through social contact, airborne or physical contact.
Is Behçet's Disease Hereditary?
Although it is accepted that Behçet's disease has a genetic component, it cannot be said that the disease has a directly hereditary feature. Individuals with a family history of Behçet's disease may be more likely to develop the disease. In particular, the HLA-B51 gene has been found to be associated with Behçet's disease. This gene plays an important role in regulating the immune system, and people with a genetic predisposition may have an increased risk of developing the disease.
However, it should not be forgotten that Behçet's disease is not only due to genetic factors, but also environmental factors and immune system problems play a role in the development of the disease. Therefore, although there is a hereditary component, environmental factors and effects on the immune system are also among the triggers of the disease.
How is Behçet's Disease Diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing Behçet's disease is to carefully evaluate the patient's history and symptoms. Symptoms such as recurrent ulcers in the mouth, wounds in the genital area, skin lesions and eye inflammations may be early signs of Behçet's disease. Your doctor evaluates the frequency, duration, and severity of these symptoms.
During the diagnosis process, the patient's medical history and family history are also taken into consideration. Having a family history of Behçet's disease is an important factor in terms of genetic predisposition. Additionally, Behcet's disease needs to be distinguished from other similar diseases, so your doctor may perform various tests and examinations to rule out other possible health problems.
Laboratory tests are also part of the diagnostic process. Blood tests are used to evaluate markers of inflammation and the status of the immune system. However, no specific laboratory test or biomarker definitively diagnoses Behcet's disease. Generally, the diagnosis is made by combining clinical findings and symptoms.
Additional tests, such as an eye exam, joint exam, and skin biopsy when necessary, may be performed to determine the extent of the disease and rule out other health problems.
How is Behçet's Disease Treated?
Bahcet's disease is a chronic and autoimmune disease, and the treatment process varies depending on the severity of the symptoms of the disease and the general health condition of the patient. Dr. As Esra Nur Ünal, we carefully manage the diagnosis and treatment process of the disease in my clinic. The first step is to confirm the diagnosis by taking a detailed medical history of the patient and evaluating the symptoms.
Our primary goal during the treatment process is to control the active periods of the disease and prevent exacerbations. For this, drugs that regulate the immune system and anti-inflammatory treatments are used. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologic agents are frequently included in our treatment protocol. More aggressive treatment methods may be required, especially in cases of organ involvement such as the eye, vascular and central nervous system.
The lifestyle changes we recommend to our patients also play an important role in the treatment process. A healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise and a stress-free lifestyle are critical in the management of the disease. We also emphasize that smoking and alcohol use should be avoided.
Is Behçet's Disease Fatal?
Behçet's disease manifests itself with a variety of symptoms and usually causes symptoms such as mouth ulcers, genital sores, skin lesions and eye inflammations. These symptoms can affect quality of life and complications may develop if left untreated. However, it does not directly cause a fatal situation.
However, Behçet's disease can create some serious complications. In particular, the nervous system can be affected, leading to severe conditions such as neurological problems, headaches, balance problems and, in rare cases, brain inflammation. Additionally, eye infections can progress and cause vision loss. In addition, serious conditions such as inflammation of large vessels (vasculitis) may also occur. Such complications can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated.
Early diagnosis of Behçet's disease and appropriate treatment plans can reduce the risk of complications and facilitate management of the disease. In our clinic, we offer a comprehensive treatment and follow-up process to manage the effects of Behçet's disease and improve your quality of life.
