Recognizing POTS Awareness Day: Join Us in Spreading Awareness!

Recognizing POTS Awareness Day: Join Us in Spreading Awareness!​

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month, and today, October 25th, we recognize POTS Awareness Day! At OMF Canada, we stand united with millions worldwide to amplify awareness of these often-overlooked conditions.

A headshot of Kate, who has long, straight blonde hair and is wearing a dark blazer over a white blouse. The background is a neutral light gray, and the image is framed in a circular format.

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.

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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:

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.