While most people associate October with breast cancer awareness or dyslexia awareness, it is also the month designated for dysautonomia awareness.
Dysautonomia is a term used to describe conditions affecting the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The Autonomic nervous system is responsible for many of the body processes that we never give a second thought like regulating temperature, maintaining a healthy heart rate and blood pressure, and digesting foods.
People with a condition that falls within dysautonomia often struggle to perform these processes efficiently, causing them to wrestle with unstable blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, unreliable body temperature, and digestion issues.
There are three main forms of dysautonomia:
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): A form of dysautonomia that can cause chest pain, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, shaking, and other symptoms.
Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS): A form of dysautonomia typically marked by fainting spells.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): A rare and fatal form of dysautonomia that typically only influences adults over the age of 40.
The most common type of dysautonomia that teens experience is POTS. However, while 1 in 100 teenagers have POTS making it nowhere near a rare disorder, there are many teens who aren’t diagnosed with POTS because the symptoms of this condition are similar to those of anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
There are many symptoms of POTS:
Irregular sleeping habits or feelings of tiredness
Heart palpitations
Migraines and frequent headaches
Low or high blood sugar
Mood swings
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness and vertigo
Gastrointestinal pain
Poor kidney function
Blurred vision
Thyroid problems or difficulty swallowing
Fainting
Difficulty exercising
Chest pains
Unstable heart rhythm
Because there is no cure for dysautonomia, and it can cause significant discomfort, pain, and harm to teens, it is important for parents of teenagers to recognize these symptoms of POTS and to make sure that others learn about this topic, as well.
By spreading the word about dysautonomia, you can help people familiarize themselves with the symptoms of this condition so that those who may have POTS, NCS, or MSA can receive the treatment, medication, and support they need to live more comfortably.
Here are a few ways for you to get involved and help raise awareness during Dysautonomia Awareness Month:
Wear turquoise
Just like breast cancer awareness is signified by a pink ribbon, dysautonomia awareness is traditionally symbolized by a turquoise ribbon. You can help spread awareness for this condition and show your teen that they have your unwavering support by making an effort to wear turquoise during October.
Try decorating turquoise shirts as a family or choosing a day for everyone in the family to wear turquoise as a sign of love and solidarity, especially during Dysautonomia Awareness Month. This will help you connect with your teen and draw attention to a worthwhile cause along the way.
Participate in a photo contest
Dysautonomia International is hosting a #31DaysofDys photo contest. Post photos of monuments, buildings, billboards, or anything else in your community lit up in turquoise for Dysautonomia Awareness Month using the hashtag #31DaysofDys, and Dysautonomia International will share some of these pictures on their own social media platforms. You could even win some dysautonomia awareness themed-gifts!
Sharing your photos will allow countless people with dysautonomia to know that they are heard and supported across the globe.
Start a fundraiser
Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram make it easy to fundraise for causes you value. Create a fundraiser, share it with your friends and followers, and donate any funds to Dysautonomia International, The Dysautonomia Project, or other organizations that are focused on dysautonomia awareness, advocacy, and advancement.
A fundraiser will not only help you raise money to donate to this good cause, but it will also make sure your friends and family are aware of this condition.
Learn about Dysautonomia
When someone stops you in the store to ask why everyone in your family is sporting a turquoise ribbon or one of your Facebook friends asks about your dysautonomia fundraiser, you will want to be able to help educate them on this important topic.
To do that, you will need to make sure you are well-versed on this topic as well. Take some time to research dysautonomia and learn important information that you can pass on to others when the time comes. The Dysautonomia International website is a great place to start.
Whether you are going to share a fundraiser, wear a turquoise ribbon, or take some other course of action, finish out your October strong by raising awareness for dysautonomia!