CONDITION: Behcet's Syndrome

DESCRIPTION:
Behcet's syndrome is a multisystem autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. It is characterized by recurring, painful mouth sores, skin blisters, genital sores and swollen joints. This disease affects men twice as often as women. It usually appears in people during their 20's, but develops sometimes in childhood. The disease is found worldwide, but it is most common in the Eastern Mediterranean countries and in eastern Asia where it is a leading cause of blindness.

How does Behcet's syndrome develop?
As with all autoimmune diseases, the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. In the case of Behcet's syndrome, the immune system is attacking the blood vessels. The cause of the abnormal immune reaction is unknown, but it may be triggered by a viral infection. Because the syndrome appears in certain ethnic groups, it is suggested that there may be a genetic link.

What are the symptoms of Behcet's syndrome?
Because Behcet's syndrome is rare and symptoms of this disease overlap symptoms of other diseases, it can be very difficult to diagnose. Spontaneous remission is common for patients with Behcet's syndrome, adding to the difficulty in diagnosis. The most common symptoms, however, are painful mouth sores, skin blisters, genital sores and swollen joints. Eye problems such as light sensitivity and even blindness may also be associated with this disease.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of Behcet's syndrome but they do not address the root of the problem. Generally, by undergoing comprehensive natural medicine testing, the reasons the body is producing antibodies against itself can be found. Some of these reasons include sensitivities or allergies to foods, inhalants and chemicals and various infections.

Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat Behcet's syndrome.

Learn about the treatments for Behcet's Syndrome