Dysautonomia

Patients with a diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) often have a good prognosis of recovery. For many patients POTS is short-lived or temporary, especially if developed in teen years. If POTS develops early in a person's life there is a greater chance that they will grow out of it as they mature. Most patients see a decrease in symptoms with the proper treatment. But, in some patients their symptoms continue to progress, and don't respond as well to treatment. The patients that developed POTS after a viral infection or other illness also have a greater likelihood of a full recovery, compared to those who suddenly develop symptoms with no apparent cause or those who have had it, most if not all of their life (maybe genetic). Also, there are some patients that will go into remission, but will have intermittent flares of symptoms.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a chronic, but not life threatening condition. If a patients symptoms continue to progress to the point that it is a life threatening form of dysautonomia, then they have a condition other than POTS. Although, POTS is not life threatening it is life altering. It can change every aspect of a person's life, including socially, academically, professionally, and financially. POTS can completely alter your quality of life. It has been said that having POTS is like your body is running in place all the time (Grubb, Kanjwal & Kosinski, 2006). Research has also shown that the quality of life of a patient with POTS is comparable to that of a patient with Congestive Heart Failure or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Benrud-Larson, Dewar, Sandroni, Rummans, Haythornthwaite & Low, 2002). A person's body with POTS has to work 3 times as hard of that of a "normal" person just to stand still (Grubb, 2002). At least 25% of patients are considered disabled and are unable to work or go to school (Goldstein, Robertson, Esler, Straus, & Eisenhofer, 2002). So, although it is not life threatening, it is definitely a life altering condition.

Lifestyle

A person with POTS lifestyle is likely going to be greatly affected. Sleep is often disrupted and not restful, leading the person to feel tired and sluggish. Because of having to take things slow and give their body time to adjust in the morning, people with POTS are likely going to have to get up significantly earlier than their counterparts. It takes longer to get around giving oneself plenty of breaks, and so that you are not left standing or sitting in one place too long. People also need to make sure that they start their day drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, and to eat a good breakfast. A person also has to make sure that they are packed and prepared for the day ahead. That means having proper food and drink with them, taking all medications that they may need, and take anything else that helps them, such as a cooling vest. Therefore, they can not just run out the door in the morning after rolling out of bed. Before leaving you also have to take in consideration the weather and the environment you will be in, so that you can make sure to have plenty of layers on or with you. And this is just what one needs to consider within the first few hours of waking up.

After that, one has to budget their energy to get through the day, and as symptoms arise try to fend them off with, getting up and moving, proper hydration, food, or medication. Many may not be able to get through the day without some kind of nap or rest period to give themselves a break. Most people feel better with many small meals throughout the day, and this takes up more time and energy out of the day. Then after returning home or later in the day, they then have to find the energy to cook a meal, clean, and prepare for the next day. This all may not sound like a lot to those who have not experienced it, but if your body is constantly running at 3 times that of a "normal" person, and you are trying to get through the day, it is extremely hard work. It can be difficult and overwhelming to just try and stay sitting or standing most of the day. There can be days that all your body is telling you to do is lay down, over and over again, on these days it can be next to impossible to have a normal schedule. These are just some of the ways that a person with POTS/Dysautonomia lifestyle is completely altered. There are so many ways that it can affect someone's life, this is just an example. Every day can be different and unpredictable. Therefore, it is a constant struggle to find what works and doesn't work for a person and their schedule.