If you have a friend or family member who recently was diagnosed with Behcet’s Disease, it’s time to educate yourself about the disease—because the more you know—you’ll be better prepared to offer help if/when they need it. The below fact-or-fiction list helps you test and develop your knowledge of the disease.

Behcet’s Disease – Facts and Fiction:

1. FICTION: Behcet’s Disease is common in the United States.
   Bechet’s is rare in the United States and is common in Asia, Japan, and the Middle East.
2. FACT: In the United States, Behcet’s tends to affect more women than men.
   There are more instances of Middle Eastern men having the disease than women.
3. FICITON: The disease is more common in elderly people.
   Usually people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.
4. FICTION: The disease is generally caused by consuming too many spicy Middle Eastern foods.
   Leading scientists and doctors have not been able to determine the cause of the disease, which affects blood vessels, causing them to be inflamed.
5. FICTION: It’s contagious.
6. FICTION: Everyone’s symptoms of Behcet’s are largely the same.
   Not a chance; everyone’s experience is different. Some men and women only experience one or two mild, periodic symptoms (during a flare) such as canker sores or lesions in their mouths or genitals. Other people however, may experience a severe form of the disease and may suffer from one or all of the following: arthritis, uveitis, skin rashes, blood clots, fever, headaches, confusion, cognitive and concentration issues, stiffness in the neck and other joints, and digestive tract issues to name just a few.
7.  FICTION: Life expectancy is less than 10 years after diagnosis.
   While there is no cure for Behcet’s disease, and it is a serious disease for many people, it’s possible to live a full life for many years under the care of doctors.
8. FACT: The disease can be managed.
   Depending on how the disease affects people, patients may need to see a variety of specialists who can prescribe medications (oral and or topical treatments that can include steroids) to lessen discomfort and pain as a result of inflammation.

If you’d like to learn more, checkout these Behcet’s disease facts

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