Behcet's Disease: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Behcet’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin or certain regions of the body. Behcet’s disease is a rare condition that damages the blood vessels and may cause rash, mouth sores and other symptoms. It is a congenital disease and there is no permanent cure for the same. People suffering from the condition will feel the brunt of the symptoms for a few days at a time, but will go away eventually. However, the same symptoms will recur at a later date.

Symptoms for the disease include canker-like sores inside the mouth. This is the most common symptom among patients. However, other symptoms include genital sores, although it is not as common as mouth sores. The disease can also affect the patient’s eyes and eyesight. Swelling in both eyes, vision problems, sensitivity to light and eye redness.

Minor symptoms include joint pain, digestive problems, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Often the brain may also get inflamed which can lead to severe headaches.

The symptoms for the disease are all related to inflammation in the blood vessels. However, the cause for the condition is not really clear and medical practitioners are still performing studies to determine why the disease is caused in the first place.

Since doctors do not know the underlying cause behind the disease, it is very difficult to predict who is at a greater risk of the disease. However, people suffering from one autoimmune disease are likely to suffer from Behcet’s as well. So, if a person suffers from lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you may also have a higher risk of suffering from Behcet’s.

The disease affects both men and women, but the condition first appears when a person is either in their 30s or 40s. Diagnosing the condition can be difficult, as the symptoms do not all appear at once. For instance, the mouth sores may appear first, but the rash may come at a later point of time. Doctors may face problem diagnosing Behcet’s from just one of the symptoms.

The treatment for the condition depends on the severity of the disease. Mild forms of the condition is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen. Even then medication is only used when the symptoms of the disease appear and will not be required if the same is in remission.

A strong anti-inflammatory drug called colchicine may also be used in severe cases concerning Behcet’s. This drug may aid in reducing the joint pains stemming from the disorder. Other drugs used alongside colchicines may include immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.

Treatment is only required for people suffering from severe symptoms related to the Behcet’s disease. If the symptoms are in remission, no medication is required and the patient can lead a normal life. However, if the patient experiences severe joint pain or inflammation, treatment with colchicines may be deemed appropriate by doctors.

People who suffer from other autoimmune disorders do not qualify for the treatment for Behcet’s disease. Additionally, when the symptoms related to the disorder are in remission, no treatment is required for patient’s to stay on top of things.

Colchicine is used in severe cases and the medicine bestows a number of side effects on the patients health as well. For instance, patients may feel muscle pain and weakness. It may also cause a tingling feel on the fingers and toes. Severe vomiting and diarrhea may also be caused when patients have this medication.

Similarly, ibuprofen is used for treating mild symptoms related to Behcet’s disease. This drug may cause an upset stomach, gas or diarrhea, dizziness, headache, itching or rash. The same drug may also lead to ringing in the ears.

Since there is no cure for Behcet’s disease, lifestyle changes are necessary to properly manage the condition. When the symptoms are in remission, people suffering from the disorder should exercise regularly, consume a healthy, and balanced diet. Relaxation techniques should also be used to keep the mind and heart at peace, as stress can further complicate the condition.

Furthermore, patients must stay in touch with physicians, which can help manage your health.

No cure exists for the condition and patients must stay with the disease throughout their lives. Apart from managing the condition and symptoms through medication, a person also needs to maintain a healthy diet and exercise schedule to limit the effect of the disease.

Treatment cost varies from one place to the next and from patient to patient. A person who takes good care of their overall health, will need to spend far less on medication and treatment, than a person who does not follow a diet or stresses too much.

However, the cost of treatment in India will be somewhere between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000.

Results of the treatment are not permanent and the symptoms related to the disease will likely recur at a later point of time. There is no cure for the condition and the medication is primarily used to manag3e the symptoms related to the condition.

The main alternative treatment to Behcet’s disease is a healthy and happy lifestyle. Patients who manage to keep their minds free from stress and follow a healthy regime, both in terms of diet and exercise are known to suffer limited symptoms related to the disease. Meditation and yoga can be an effective way to reducing any stress.