Recognizing POTS Awareness Day: Join Us in Spreading Awareness!
October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month, and today, October 25th, we recognize POTS Awareness Day! At Open Medicine Foundation, we stand united with millions worldwide to amplify awareness of these often-overlooked conditions.
Living with POTS can make doing even the simplest of tasks feel incredibly difficult. I never realized how much I took standing in line at the grocery store for granted until I got sick. POTS can make it feel as though you are running with all your might while wearing heavy sandbags attached to your ankles and simultaneously trying to breathe through a straw, yet you’re simply just standing in line.
Understanding Dysautonomia and POTS
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions caused by malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This system regulates involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a prevalent form of dysautonomia, characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon sitting or standing. It’s a chronic form of orthostatic intolerance (OI), where the autonomic nervous system struggles to maintain blood pressure and heart rate during posture changes, such as when you transition from sitting or lying down to standing up.
OMF's Research
POTS often intertwines with other complex chronic diseases like ME/CFS and Long COVID. That’s why we are dedicated to pioneering research and fostering a deeper understanding of these conditions through our studies, including:
- Neuroendocrine, Vascular, and Metabolic Connections in ME/CFS, POTS, and Long COVID, Melbourne ME/CFS Collaboration: This study explores the structural, neurovascular, and biochemical differences in the brains of people with ME/CFS, Long COVID, and POTS to understand the pathology of the diseases and identify potential treatment targets.
- Precision Medicine for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Drug Discovery and Clinical Trials (REMEDIAL), Collaborative Center at Montreal: This project aims to identify the shared mechanisms of ME/CFS and POTS, which could lead to new treatment options.
- SIMPLE Study: Impact of Saline Infusion on ME/CFS, POTS, and Long COVID, Melbourne ME/CFS Collaboration: This study compares the efficacy of different saline formulations in people with ME/CFS, Long COVID, and POTS to identify the best rescue treatment for these conditions.
Spotlight on Orthostatic Intolerance
Dr. Melanie Hoppers, in her insightful blog “Living with Orthostatic Intolerance,” sheds light on the challenges faced by those with OI—a condition often associated with ME/CFS and Long COVID. We encourage you to read her perspective.
We invite you to help us spread the word about POTS and dysautonomia. Share this email, discuss these conditions with your friends and family, and engage on social media using the hashtag #POTSAwarenessDay.
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