Definition: An autoimmune disease that results from damage to blood vessels throughout the body. It is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that causes the blood vessels to become inflamed. The disease is named after Hulusi Behcet, a Turkish dermatologist and scientist.
Four symptoms are usually associated with the disease including sores inside the mouth, sores on the genitals, inflammation inside the eye, and skin problems. Other symptoms may include arthritis, blood clots, and inflammation of the digestive tract and central nervous system.
Behcet's disease is not contagious, and tends to affect more men than women. The disease is most common in the Middle East, Asia and Japan. Behcet's is rare in the United States.
Also Known As: Behcet's syndrome, Adamantiades, silk road disease
