If there are aphthae in the mouth region that come out once a month or more frequently, if painful sores have occurred and this picture is accompanied by genital aphthae, a rheumatology specialist should definitely be consulted. Because these symptoms are the most typical symptoms of Behçet’s disease, which especially affects the young age group!
Oral aphthae can rarely occur in every person at some point in his life. However, if there are large and long-healing painful sores on several menstruation, lips and tongue once a month or more, and if these painful wounds are accompanied by genital wounds, it is absolutely necessary to consult a rheumatology specialist. Rheumatologist Dr. Selda Öktem pointed out that people with a family history of Behçet’s disease should be investigated for this disease, because such complaints are the most typical symptoms of Behçet’s disease. warns. (Do these aphthae occur in the mouth only on the lips and tongue, or do they appear in the mouth?)
Recurrent eye infection may be a sign of Behçet’s disease!
Untreated Behçet’s disease is the cause of blindness!
If the inflammation in the visual layer, which manifests itself with redness, pain and blurred vision, does not completely go away as a result of the treatments given, or if the problem recurs after recovery, one should be careful! Because this picture, which constitutes the important symptoms of Behçet’s disease, can cause blindness if it is noticed late and not treated well!
It can affect many systems, from the skin to the joints!
Behçet’s disease shows a very different course in each person. Rheumatologist Dr. Selda Öktem stated that the disease causes complaints in many systems; . That’s why no two patients with Behçet’s are exactly alike.” Interestingly, while the disease causes more severe complaints in the first years, it tends to become more benign in the following years. Rheumatologist Dr. Selda Öktem lists the symptoms of Behçet’s disease as follows:
The most obvious complaints are frequent and abundant aphthae in the mouth and recurrent sores on the genitals.
Other skin manifestations include widespread large pimples and painful, hot subcutaneous glands. Patients first apply to a dermatologist with these complaints.
Eye redness, pain and blurred vision are other important findings of inflammation in the visual layer. If detected late and not treated well, it can cause blindness.
Swelling, pain, and skeletal system findings with limitation, mostly seen in the knee and ankle joints, may occur. Sometimes arthritis that is resistant to standard treatments can cause disability. Behçet’s patients may have pain and stiffness along the spine and in the coccyx region, especially in the morning.
They may knock on the door of urology physicians with frequently recurring testicular inflammation that is not accompanied by infection.
Sometimes clot formation and blockages are seen in the leg and arm veins, sometimes in the veins feeding the internal organs, and sometimes in the veins in the brain. If it is in the cerebral vessels, it causes sudden loss of consciousness and paralysis.
When the vessels feeding the intestines are affected, complaints such as abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea can occur. Even mild findings may occur in the lungs and heart. If the presence of different complaints belonging to many systems is noticed by the physician, Behçet’s disease can be considered and then the patients are referred to the rheumatology department.
If not taken under control
Rheumatology Specialist Dr. Selda Öktem says that the reflection of Behçet’s disease on quality of life varies according to the organs affected by the disease. There is constant suffering for a person who often has painful mouth sores and painful genital sores. The patient has pain while eating, talking and walking. He can’t taste because of the aphthae in his mouth. If a patient with a recurrent eye infection cannot be diagnosed and receives adequate treatment, he or she may experience vision loss. Moving, walking and running can turn into a great torture in a patient with joint and muscle involvement. In fact, patients may become unable to perform their daily activities and personal care. The presence of other important organ effects can reach life-threatening dimensions.
Don’t be sleep deprived, avoid stress!
If you don’t have any complaints about your joints, you can do any sport you want.
As with almost every disease, it is very important to avoid stress. Because during stressful periods, the severity of your complaints may increase.
During periods of fatigue, intense tempo and insomnia, aphthae become more frequent, fatigue becomes more evident and uveitis attack can be triggered. Therefore, pay attention to a healthy diet and adequate quality sleep.
A detailed history of the patient’s complaints is a must!
Rheumatology Specialist, who pointed out that the diagnosis of Behçet’s disease should be questioned in detail, and the patient’s complaints should be questioned. Selda Öktem said, “Because patients do not take into account some symptoms, they may not tell. Therefore, it is necessary to ask whether there is any finding one by one.” says. The presence of oral and genital aphthae is the most important criterion in the diagnosis. Other organ symptoms may or may not be present. However, there is no specific laboratory test for Behçet’s diagnosis. While the presence of the genetic molecule (HLA-B5 and B-51) supports the diagnosis, it can only be considered as an auxiliary diagnosis method since its negative does not mean that the disease is not present. A skin test called the pathergy test can help with the diagnosis.
It is possible to control attacks with drugs!
Rheumatology Specialist Dr. Selda Öktem informs that Behçet’s disease cannot be completely eliminated because it is a chronic disease, but the symptoms can be kept under control thanks to drug treatments. While determining the treatment method, it is completely based on the severity of the disease and organ involvement. If there is a mild disease limited to skin findings, it is sufficient to use single and simple drugs. If there are complaints in organs such as the brain, vessels and eyes, then it is necessary to use much more complex and special drugs. Because untreated eye infections can cause blindness. Atherosclerosis and brain involvement can be life-threatening, so it requires more serious treatment. In such cases, several drugs are used together. Patients should be followed closely and frequently while taking medication.
