Behcet's disease is a rare autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune illnesses are conditions in which the body attacks its own tissues. Behcet's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition categorized as a vasculitis, in which blood vessels around the body become inflamed by the body's own immune system. Because of this, Behcet's disease can present with many different symptoms.
Eye Symptoms
Behcet's can present as uveitis or inflammation of the uvea, the middle portion of the eye. Symptoms of uveitis include blurry or decreased vision, red eye (conjunctivitis) and pain. The eye exhibits light sensitivity and persistent tearing. In posterior uveitis, the inflammation affects the eye's retina, which can lead to permanent blindness unless treated promptly.
Mouth Symptoms
Patients with Behcet's disease have aphtous ulcers. These are ulcers in the mouth that appear as a result of minor trauma. It is one of the first symptoms noticed by patients with Behcet's disease. These ulcers are painful and can appear in any part of the mouth, including the tongue and the lips. They can be mistaken for fever blisters or canker sores.
Skin Symptoms
A common skin manifestation of Behcet's disease is erythema nodosum, painful tender nodules just under the surface of the skin that can sometimes become infected ulcers. Other skin symptoms of Bechet's include sores in areas of the skin that suffer minor trauma, such as scratches or bumps, and folliculitis, inflammation of the hair follicles in the skin.
Central Nervous System Symptoms
The inflammation caused by Behcet's syndrome can cause symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain. It manifests itself with headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and changes in mental status, such as confusion. Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain itself and can present as severe headache, confusion, vomiting, irritability, unsteady gait and seizures. Behcet's can also affect the brain's white matter, which can lead to changes in personality, headaches and, occasionally, stroke. A stroke patient can present with one-sided weakness and paralysis, visual changes or even sudden death.
