Less Common Behcet's Disease Symptoms
Behcet's disease may also cause less common symptoms including:
Blood Clots About 16% of patients with Behcet's disease have blood clots resulting from thrombophlebitis, usually in the legs. Symptoms include pain and tenderness in the affected area. The area may also be swollen and warm. Because this can have severe complications, people should report symptoms to their doctor immediately. A few people may experience artery problems such as aneurysms.
Central Nervous System is affected in about 23% of all patients with the disease in the U.S. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. Behcet's disease can cause inflammation of the brain and the thin membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. This condition is called meningoencephalitis. People with meningoencephalitis may have:
- fever
- headache
- stiff neck
- difficulty coordinating movement
Patients should report any of these symptoms to their doctor immediately. If this condition is left untreated, a stroke can result.
Digestive Tract Rarely, Behcet's disease causes inflammation and ulceration throughout the digestive tract that are identical to the aphthous lesions in the mouth and genital area. This leads to:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea and/or bleeding
Because these symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other diseases of the digestive tract, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, careful evaluation is essential to rule out these other diseases.
