{"id":9862,"date":"2019-08-12T01:34:47","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T01:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9862"},"modified":"2021-04-25T17:52:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T17:52:15","slug":"14-causes-know-of-behcets-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-causes-know-of-behcets-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes Know of Behcet’s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Behcet\u2019s disease is something doctors and medical professionals are still trying to research and learn about since little is known about it. Part of the difficulty is in how rare the disease is, and if it were more common they would be able to conduct more research and test more people, but with a limited sample size it is hard to know much about it and little will likely change in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, we do still know a bit about the disease and how it can be caused by various factors. There is no one clear cause identified so far, but there are several possibilities, and it may even be a combination of factors that causes someone to contract Behcet\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at 8 possible ways that the disease can be caused along with a bit of information on each potential cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Autoimmune Causes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is possible, though not in any way confirmed, that Behcet\u2019s disease i<\/a>s autoimmune in nature. Your natural immune system does a very important job in attacking invaders like germs and killing them off before they can cause harm to your body. When it functions well, things go smoothly. In some cases, your immune system can turn against itself and start attacking your body like an unwanted internal zombie breakout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the autoimmune theory is true, then that goes a long way in explaining how the disease comes to be and why it causes so much inflammation across the body. Inflammation is your body\u2019s way of trying to fight off invaders, which is why you might see a cut turn red and swollen. That is just your body trying to prevent infection. When this response goes out of control, it can start to damage healthy tissue and cause problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Genetic Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diseases similar to Behcet\u2019s are often handed down from one generation to another through the passing of genes<\/a>. Although this isn\u2019t entirely for certain, and specific gene markers have yet to be found, similar diseases have a hereditary factor that contributes to the ability to receive the disease from a parent or even a grandparent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unclear whether this disease is more likely to be passed down from either your mother or father or even how big of a contributing factor genetics are in this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is a genetic factor to this disease, it\u2019s uncertain how much that gene plays into your likelihood of being diagnosed with it. It could be that plenty of people carry this gene but it takes specific factors to bring it out or that it happens by chance once in a while. Future research should help us better understand how this works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Environment Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hypothesized that factors in your local environment could contribute to, cause, or worsen Behcet\u2019s disease. This seems to be a likely factor based on research done so far, even though nobody is exactly sure if that is the case or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental factors can be difficult to narrow down since we now live in a world covered in many different types of pollution, each generally hosts to many (sometimes thousands) of different individual chemicals<\/a>, any of which could potentially affect the human body in ways that we don\u2019t understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live or have spent a lot of time in cities with huge amounts of pollution, this could be a potential cause. Environmental factors can also include chemical products found in your own home, so you don\u2019t have to live in a big city to be at risk of health problems resulting from the environment around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Inflammation of the Body<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition is characterized by inflammation <\/a>\u2013 if it didn\u2019t cause inflammation, there would be little to no symptoms. Likewise, without the presence of inflammation, the disease itself can\u2019t be diagnosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it has been diagnosed in the past but no markers or symptoms of inflammation currently exist, then it is safe to say that the disease is in remission at least in a temporary capacity. This is possible, though most sufferers aren\u2019t lucky enough to experience a state of complete, permanent remission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, inflammation of the blood vessels, including all different types of arteries and veins is a large problem with this disease. Since the blood circulatory network performs an important function in keeping the body healthy, safe, and functioning well, any disruption to this system can affect your body pretty much from head to toe. Whole-body markers for inflammation will usually be higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Germ Causes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a potential cause of Behcet\u2019s disease proposed by some researchers. It is possible that a virus or bacteria could bring out this disease in people who are predisposed to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the patient would have to already have the disease in their genetic makeup, but it isn\u2019t activated or producing any symptoms yet. Without experiencing an infection, they may have lived the rest of their lives in a completely normal fashion without ever knowing they were carrying the genetic code for a rare disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this theory is true, then an infection with a certain type of bacteria or virus could interact with the DNA <\/a>and bring this disease to life. Even after the bacterial or viral infection is treated and cured, the disease will likely remain active since changes to the DNA and gene expression have already been made, and that stick around for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Living in a Specific Location<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Data suggests that people who live in East Asia or the Middle East are at a much larger risk of contracting Behcet\u2019s disease. It is unclear why this is the case, and it might tie in with some of the other causes mentioned above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is a genetic factor, then people who share more DNA (within the same ethnicity) may just be more likely to be carrying the disease due to their loose genetic relationship. If there is an environmental factor in bringing the disease to life, then people who live in similar environments might be more likely to experience the disease. Likewise, if a virus <\/a>or bacteria is part of the cause, then people living in the same area could be more likely to experience the same microbes, increasing the risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the reasons are unclear, your risk is higher if you live in those areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Your Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Behcet\u2019s can affect anyone, but you are more likely to start to experience symptoms of the disorder if you are at a certain point in life. Unlike many diseases, it seems to prefer people who are still relatively young but into adulthood. Anywhere from 20 years of age, up to 39 years of rage seem to be the prime risk factors,<\/a> and that age range doesn\u2019t seem to differ much from men to women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that said, anyone can contract the disease, it\u2019s just more likely to happen when you are between those ages. Even young children can be diagnosed with it, and in some cases, people may not begin to display any symptoms at all until they reach very old age when it comes on strong and fast. In that case, nobody would have any idea they were carrying the disease all of their lives until then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Gender<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One factor in how this disease will likely affect you is your biological gender<\/a>, with symptoms occurring more severely in men for reasons that aren\u2019t understood. Overall, women and men are equally likely to contract the disease, but women from the United States have a larger chance of contracting it than men do.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of puzzles behind Behcet\u2019s Disease that hopefully, researchers in the future will be able to figure out. For now, we just have to accept that women in the United States are more likely to contract it, while men in other countries have a higher risk of coming down with Behcet\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since symptoms are more severe in men, they may begin to show signs of the disease sooner, making it easier to begin treatment. If symptoms come on more slowly in women, that could make it difficult to diagnose the disease in short order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Certain Prescription Drugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some types of prescription and over-the-counter drugs can put you at an increased risk for developing Behcet\u2019s disease, particularly where the use of the drugs can be combined with a family history of the condition already renders you more likely to develop it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the types of prescription drugs that have proven to be associated with Behcet\u2019s include cyclosporine<\/a> and azathioprine, although there are many other drugs that might have the same effect.\u00a0 Always check the enclosed drug leaflet for any side-effects or contraindications of the drug.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any symptoms or negative changes in your health after you have started to take any new drugs, consult with your doctor with a list of your symptoms in order to find an alternative treatment that doesn\u2019t have the same side-effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never start or stop any medication by yourself without a doctor\u2019s guidance and always let your doctor know as soon as medication causes any adverse reactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Connective Tissue Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Connective tissue disorders describe a diverse range of different conditions (including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Marfan\u2019s) which all have the same effect on the body\u2019s connective tissue<\/a>. The majority of connective tissue disorders involve a weakening of the body\u2019s tissues \u2013 including the bones, muscles and in many cases, veins.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behcet\u2019s disease causes inflammation of veins, and while connective tissue disorders aren\u2019t a direct cause thereof, anyone with a diagnosed or suspected disorder like Ehlers-Danlos should take very special care with any medical conditions which can affect their veins further, which are already weakened due to the existing condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect that you have any connective tissue disorders part of your family, get yourself and your family members tested \u2013 even if cases in your family history are only suspected instead of having been officially diagnosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Congestive Heart Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Congestive heart conditions are ones that have a direct impact on the heart, blood flow, and arteries<\/a> \u2013 and sometimes congestive heart conditions can be combined with Behcet\u2019s disease, and can greatly increase the amount of damage that the condition can do to your body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two can sometimes go hand-in-hand, and should be treated as two entirely separate conditions which each have their own symptoms \u2013 but they should also both be considered as part of a larger \u201chealth plan\u201d to secure a healthy future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone with a congestive heart condition should take special care with the amount of exercise they get. It also helps your conditions (and lessens your risk of problems later on in life) when you are able to switch over to a healthier and more natural diet.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular appointments with your doctor are crucial: At least once every six months is recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Varicose Veins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Varicose veins<\/a> are commonly seen in people who are getting older, and this is because their veins are naturally getting weaker over time \u2013 but it can also be found in people of every age for a variety of different reasons and medical conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the appearance of varicose veins where you didn\u2019t have any problems with them before, then you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Note any of the other symptoms that you have been experiencing to your doctor \u2013 it can help them to make a quicker, easier diagnosis of what\u2019s causing the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular doctor\u2019s appointments are also crucial in order to spot health conditions like Behcet\u2019s disease faster in their onset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis <\/a>is a condition that affects thousands of people across the world every year, and it can happen to people of any age and activity level. If you develop arthritis, swelling and pain in the hands and joints are usually the first and most common symptoms \u2013 but what many people don\u2019t realize is that arthritis can also affect the rest of your body too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just a condition that affects the bone. There are different types of arthritis, and many of these are likely to cause inflammation throughout the body too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis sends the body\u2019s immune system into complete haywire, and it can cause the body to inflame everything. Most people don\u2019t realize that this is even possible, but arthritis can also sometimes be the root cause of toothache \u2013 or the reason behind Behcet\u2019s.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have arthritis, monitor your condition closely and keep a diary where you are able to record things like when it happens and factors that make it worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Pericarditis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pericarditis <\/a>is described as an inflammation of the pericardium, the tissues found around the heart. It\u2019s the heart\u2019s equivalent of meningitis (an infection which instead hits the outside lining of the brain) and it can be considered a very serious medical condition that\u2019s in need of immediate treatment where it is suspected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can put you at a seriously increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and it is usually something that could have been prevented or treated had it been spotted by a doctor early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain, loss of focus and trouble breathing are some of the symptoms that can be associated with pericarditis. Sometimes other symptoms like a fever might also be present, and the condition can cause weakening of veins which can increase your risk of developing Behcet\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor if you experience any odd cardiac-related symptoms. Also, see your doctor where you know of any history of the disease in your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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