What is Behcet's syndrome?
reprinted from:
http://www.medicinenet.com/Behcets_Syndrome/page1.htm
Behcet's syndrome is classically characterized as a triad of symptoms that
include recurring crops of mouth ulcers (called apthous ulcers), genital
ulcers, and inflammation of a specialized area around the pupil of the eye,
the uvea. The inflammation of the area of the eye that is around the pupil
is called uveitis. Behcet's syndrome is also sometimes referred to as Behcet's
disease.
The cause of Behcet's syndrome is not known. The disease is more frequent
and severe in patients from the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia than those
of European descent. Both inherited (genetic) and environmental factors,
such as microbe infections, are suspected to be factors that contribute to
the development of Behcet's syndrome. Behcet's syndrome has not been felt
to be contagious.
What are symptoms of Behcet's syndrome?
The symptoms of Behcet's syndrome depend on the area of the body affected.
Behcet's syndrome can involve inflammation of many areas of the body. These
areas include the arteries that supply blood to the body's tissues. Behcet's
syndrome can also affect the veins that take the blood back to the lungs
to replenish the oxygen content. Other areas of body that can be affected
by the inflammation of Behcet's syndrome include the back of the eyes (retina),
brain, joints, skin, and bowels.
The mouth and genital ulcers are generally painful and recur in crops.
They range in size from a few millimeters to 20 millimeters in diameter.
The mouth ulcers occur on the gums, tongue, and inner lining of the mouth.
The genital ulcers occur on the scrotum and penis of males and vulva of
women and can leave scars.
Inflammation of the eye, which can involve the front of the eye (uvea)
causing uveitis, or the back of the eye (retina) causing retinitis, can
lead to blindness. Symptoms of eye inflammation include pain, blurred vision,
tearing, redness, and pain when looking at bright lights. It is very important
for patients to have this sensitive area monitored by an eye specialist
(ophthalmologist).
If the arteries become inflamed (arteritis) in patients with Behcet's syndrome,
it can lead to death of the tissues whose oxygen supply depends on these
vessels. This could cause a stroke if affecting the brain, belly pain if
affecting the bowel, etc. When veins become inflamed (phlebitis), the inflammation
can involve large veins that develop blood clots which can loosen to cause
pulmonary embolism
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