When It Comes To Lupus, There's Always ‘Rheum’ For Knowledge

If there was one person who gave us a clearer picture of what this "invisible disease" looked like, it was the "Queen of All Media" herself, Kris Aquino.

- LAI S. REYES

If there was one person who gave us a clearer picture of what this "invisible disease" looked like, it was the "Queen of All Media" herself, Kris Aquino. In an IG reel, Kris shared photos and videos of the physical manifestations of her lupus flare-up — bruising all over the body, facial rash, her thinning hair and frame.

By being transparent about her health journey, Kris has been instrumental in raising awareness on the disease and in encouraging other patients to seek help and support.

Shining the Light on Filipinos Living With Lupus

Kris is not alone. This autoimmune disease affects the lives of at least five million globally with a significant impact on women.

Here in the Philippines, this chronic condition presents daily challenges, affecting 30 to 50 out of 100,000 people.

Writer and entrepreneur Melanie "Mel" Cuevas was 11 years old when she had a retinal hemorrhage (bleeding inside the eye). Her doctors were baffled. Normally, it happens to someone with high blood pressure or diabetes.

"They said I was too young to have it at that age," shares Mel. "So they tested me for high blood pressure, diabetes and leukemia, which turned out negative."

The following year, she developed pain in her fingers and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Soon, Mel started having more symptoms such as hair loss, chest pain, and butterfly rashes on cheeks.

"A friend of my mom advised me to see a rheumatologist," relates Mel. She was off on vacation at that time in the US, and it was there where she got tested positive for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Patients are often referred to rheumatologists — physicians specializing in diseases of the joints and muscles — who develop a sub-specialty in diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases like SLE or lupus.