WHEN the issue of rheumatology is discussed among Filipinos, their most common perception is that it is a problem related to the body’s numerous joints, that there is a problem of mobility when one is afflicted by rheumatism. Rheumatic diseases are health problems that affect the joints, muscles, bones and sometimes other internal organs such as kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, brain. Because these diseases are often complex, they benefit from the care of an expert.
Only rheumatologists are experts in this field of medicine, according to the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA). Rheumatism is so complex that there are more than 200 distinct rheumatic diseases associated with it, the most common ones are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatic fever, and even Kawasaki Disease, among children. Some of the most important disorders dealt with by rheumatologists are those from the immune system, or what are called “auto-immune” diseases.
ADMITTEDLY, rheumatology is not really a popular medical specialty in the country and the PRA is exerting efforts to change that notion because arthritis and rheumatism are common conditions that can affect everyone, from the young to the very old individuals. “However, we’ve been getting a lot of notice recently because the case of a popular celebrity was well publicized because of an auto-immune condition, and not many people would relate this condition to our specialty. I believe this is the time .