This year, many landmarks and buildings around the country are lighting up purple to raise awareness for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) on the 24th and 25th of October, PoTS Awareness Day.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Headquarters has been lit up in purple to show support
Postural tachycardia syndrome (or PoTS) is a disabling condition that causes many symptoms, especially when affected people stand upright. The heart and blood pressure are unable to adjust to gravity. Symptoms include palpitations, lightheadedness, fainting, brain fog, fatigue, gut disturbances, headaches and more. Patients often experience several symptoms at the same time.
PoTS most commonly starts in younger women, but it can affect anyone. When symptoms are severe people are unable to attend school or work, and wheelchair use can be necessary.
PoTS UK is a small charity that supports people affected by PoTS. In addition to our website (www.potsuk.org) and social media platforms that provide information, patient enquiry emails are answered by volunteers. We recently developed a network of virtual patient support groups throughout the UK and periodically hold in person events to connect people who are often isolated due to their health conditions.
Many medical professionals are not familiar with PoTS, despite it being quite a common condition. PoTS UK holds educational events to inform GPs, hospital doctors and nurses and other medical professionals so that they can detect PoTS more quickly and provide better care. The charity also helps to connect researchers and support research to better understand the causes of PoTS and develop better treatments.
It is anticipated that the number of people affected by PoTS is on the increase as Covid-19 infection appears to be one of the triggers that causes PoTS. NHS services for patients are often inadequate and there is an ever growing need to provide support for people affected by PoTS and the national charity, PoTS UK.
Raising awareness of PoTS is even more important than ever, as we are becoming aware of an increasing number of reports of people developing PoTS and other types of autonomic dysfunction after contracting Covid-19. Perhaps you know someone yourself who has developed PoTS after having COVID? We are doing everything we can to support GPs and hospital specialists, and have also worked along with NICE to update their guidance.
You can read more about awareness day here – https://www.potsuk.org/awareness_day_25th_october
