Articles » NINDS Behcet's Disease Information Page: NINDS

NINDS Behcet's Disease Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Behcet's Disease Information Page: NINDS

Conditions: Behcet's Disease

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What is Behcet's Disease?
Behcet's disease is a rare, chronic, lifelong disorder that involves inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Symptoms of Behcet's disease include recurrent oral ulcers (resembling canker sores), recurrent genital ulcers, and eye inflammation. The disorder may also cause various types of skin lesions, arthritis, bowel inflammation, and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord). Behcet's disease generally begins when patients are in their 20s or 30s, although all age groups may be affected. Behcet's is a multisystem disease; it may involve all organs and affect the central nervous system, causing memory loss and impaired speech, balance, and movement. The effects of the disease may include blindness, stroke, swelling of the spinal cord, and intestinal complications.

Is there any treatment?
Treatment for Behcet's disease is symptomatic and supportive. Medication may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and/or regulate the immune system.

What is the prognosis?
Behcet's disease is a lifelong disorder which proceeds over a long period of time in a series of remissions (lack of disease activity) and exacerbations (periods of active disease).

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on painful disorders such as Behcet's disease. This research is aimed at discovering the cause(s) of these disorders and finding ways to treat, prevent, and, ultimately, cure them.

 Organizations

American Behcet's Disease Association
P.O. 15247
Chattanooga, TN 37415
mharting@ix.netcom.com
http://www.behcets.com/
Tel: 800-7-BEHCETS (723-4238)

Behcet's Organization Worldwide
c/o 1838 East 45th Street
Wichita, KS 67216
information@behcets.org
http://www.behcets.org/

National Eye Institute (NEI)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 6A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
2020@b31.nei.nih.gov
http://www.nei.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-496-5248 Professionals 800-869-2020

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 4C05
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nih.gov/niams
Tel: 301-496-8188 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 45, Rm. 4AS19
Bethesda, MD 20892-6400
nidrinfo@od31.nidr.nih.gov
http://www.nidr.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-496-4261

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
(100 Route 37)
New Fairfield, CT 06812-8923
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel: 203-746-6518 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-746-6481

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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