Dysautonomia Awareness Month
Why This Matters?
All Dysautomia Awareness Month merchandise purchases go to Dysautonomia International
Back in 2018, Taylor began experiencing mysterious health issues—frequent episodes of near-fainting, chronic pain, and persistent nausea. Her symptoms quickly became debilitating, and by the fall of 2019, she had to leave college to undergo extensive medical testing. Despite countless appointments with specialists and numerous tests, doctors found nothing wrong. Still, Taylor's condition worsened to the point where she became bed-bound and unable to care for herself.
Two years later, everything changed during a single doctor’s visit. “Have you heard of P.O.T.S.?” her doctor asked. That moment marked a turning point. She was referred to a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic’s neurology department, where a simple orthostatic test confirmed the diagnosis: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (P.O.T.S.), a form of Dysautonomia.
After years of searching, it took one doctor who recognized the signs to set Taylor on the path toward healing. While P.O.T.S. and other forms of Dysautonomia have no cure, early diagnosis can make a life-changing difference. For Taylor, it meant understanding her body and learning how to manage her symptoms.
Today, she’s pursuing her dream of working in motorsports—all thanks to one doctor who knew what to look for.
Through Taylor’s personal platform and here at ATYL Media, we hope to raise awareness about this often-overlooked condition. Our goal is to provide resources that empower others to advocate for their health—or help a loved one do the same.
What is Dysautonomia?
Via Dysautonomia International, “Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several different medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System controls the "automatic" functions of the body that we do not consciously think about, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, kidney function, and temperature control. People living with various forms of dysautonomia have trouble regulating these systems, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, malnutrition, and in severe cases, death.”
”Dysautonomia is not rare. Over 70 million people worldwide live with various forms of dysautonomia. People of any age, gender or race can be impacted. There is no cure for any form of dysautonomia at this time, but Dysautonomia International is funding research to develop better treatments, and hopefully someday a cure for each form of dysautonomia. Despite the high prevalence of dysautonomia, most patients take years to get diagnosed due to a lack of awareness amongst the public and within the medical profession.”
All month long, ATYL Media will be raising funds for Dysautonomia International, a non-profit that seeks to improve the lives of individuals living with autonomic nervous system disorders through research, physician education, public awareness and patient empowerment programs.