This is an authoritative overview for anyone encountering Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system resulting in diverse symptoms experienced in an upright position that are relieved by lying down - and other types of acquired dysautonomia. It provides essential information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in children and young people. Post-viral syndromes can be extremely difficult to manage and the average individual spends two to three years accessing appropriate diagnosis. This book provides necessary information for parents and healthcare professionals on identifying POTS and other post-viral dysautonomia, the most common triggers, appropriate intervention and successful multi-disciplinary management in both short and long term situations. It also includes helpful tips and coping strategies for managing the syndrome at home and in educational and clinical settings.
Providing clear information on the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of POTS and other acquired dysautonomia, this practical handbook allows parents and professionals to gain a fuller understanding of post-viral syndromes. It covers a range of interventions and includes strategies for management and treatment at home and in clinical settings.
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) occur when an abnormal immune response produces brain inflammation, leading to unusual psychological symptoms in children. Symptoms can include OCD, tics, ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory issues and marked personality changes. This practical handbook explains how educators can distinguish between these symptoms and pre-existing conditions, and offers strategies for supporting students with PANDAS and PANS in school settings. Contributions from experts provide educators with the understanding needed to be able to collaboratively identify PANDAS and PANS, and carry out effective interventions. As the rate of incidence of PANDAS and PANS increases, this book will be an essential resource for school staff in getting to grips with these complex disorders and overcoming the challenges they present.
Having a child who suddenly develops PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep), PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or related conditions such as encephalitis can be a daunting challenge for parents. This clear guide explains the symptoms and diagnosis of PANDAS and PANS, with treatment options and recommended strategies for supporting children at home, at school, and in community settings. The book covers key symptoms including OCD, tics, anxiety, sensory issues and personality changes, with practical advice on medical management, nutrition, lifestyle, and addressing social and behavioural needs. Each chapter also includes handy sidebars with key information to remember, and action steps for overcoming challenges, managing relapse, family self-care and providing children with the best possible support.
You may be asking: What is POTS? What causes POTS? Why did I get POTS? How do I get better? How long will it take to get well? Will I be able to return to school full-time? Will I be able to play sports again? Will I ever lead a normal life again? You may be asking a lot of similar questions. POWER over POTS helps provide answers to these and many other questions.This consumer health book is for both patients and family members. It explains in simplified terms the scientific mechanisms responsible for POTS, how to correct the malfunctioning mechanisms. Most alterations in body physiology responsible for the reduced return of blood from the lower body to the heart and brain are correctable.Writing this book is an attempt to spread-the-word and explain the causes and treatments in an easy-to-understand manner. No longer is it necessary for adolescents and young adults to suffer with the life-disrupting symptoms of POTS. This POWER over POTS Recovery Program provides knowledge. Knowledge is power that can help you to understand POTS, seek out knowledgeable POTS specialists and successfully navigate POTS and recover.While written for patients with this debilitating illness and their families, many health care professionals can find this information and the therapeutic plan, the POWER over POTS Recovery Program, useful in the management of their POTS patients. Steps to begin the healing process are not possible until a diagnosis is confirmed. Enabling you to shorten the delay in establishing a diagnosis and initiate early and successful treatment are the primary goals of this book. Hopefully, with this book in hand, you can gain the necessary knowledge to manage your illness, take back your life and attain POWER over POTS.
"The Dysautonomia Project" is a much needed tool for physicians, patients, or caregivers looking to arm themselves with the power of knowledge. It combines current publications from leaders in the field of autonomic disorders with explanations for doctors and patients about the signs and symptoms, which will aid in reducing the six-year lead time to diagnosis.
Since 1975, Dr. Kenneth Swaiman's classic text has been the reference of choice for authoritative guidance in pediatric neurology, and the 6th Edition continues this tradition of excellence with thorough revisions that bring you fully up to date with all that's new in the field. Five new sections, 62 new chapters, 4 new editors, and a reconfigured format make this a comprehensive and clearly-written resource for the experienced clinician as well as the physician-in-training. - Nearly 3,000 line drawings, photographs, tables, and boxes highlight the text, clarify key concepts, and make it easy to find information quickly.
What causes anxiety to be so prevalent in so many people? How is it best prevented and treated? What can patients and physicians do to better understand this common medical issue? Anxiety is a component of many physical and mental disorders, from depression to PTSD. Unfortunately, not many patients find relief in the associated therapies and medications, and simply adding more of the same often causes other disorders. Additionally, many who suffer from anxiety may in fact have other, anxiety-like conditions, such as the frequently misdiagnosed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which can make any attempt at treatment futile. But now, with Anxiety and Dysautonomia: Do I Have POTS or Autonomic Dysfunction?, Donald J. Parker and physicians Joseph Colombo and Nicholas L. DePace aim to show, with a simplified analysis and discussion focusing on this common patient complaint and how best to treat it, that no longer does anxiety need to be merely managed with the forced lifestyle changes that are often required. Topics covered include: Parasympathetic and Sympathetic (P&S) dysfunctions that lead to anxiety-like conditions, plus clear concepts of anxiety and anxiety-like symptoms, the six-pronged Mind-Body Wellness Program, and the P&S nervous systems. How many of these anxiety-like conditions are actually caused by a lack of proper blood flow to the brain, which may cause mild symptoms of depression, fatigue, malaise, brain fog, and cognitive and memory difficulties, sleep difficulties, and more. The way these issues, when exacerbated, may trigger “adrenaline storms” that cycle the anxiety-like symptoms. Treatments that in many cases enable a return to a “normal” (as defined by the patient) quality of life, including natural therapies to relieve symptoms and promote wellness. Presenting discussions with patients and doctors side-by-side to help physicians see how to present information to their patients and patients to learn what physicians need to know to tailor therapy to their individual needs, Anxiety and Dysautonomia is an essential resource for anyone concerned with anxiety and anxiety-like disorders, from medical professionals to patients to family and friends.
A Mayo Clinic pediatrician’s guide to the causes of fatigue in teenagers—and finding the care they may need. What happens when a perfectly healthy teen suddenly becomes tired and lethargic? In Tired Teens, Dr. Philip R. Fischer draws upon decades of experience as a pediatrician to pinpoint causes of chronic fatigue in teens and explains how teens and parents can help combat these debilitating conditions. Preparing for college applications, keeping up with schoolwork, and balancing a variety of extracurricular activities, all while maintaining a social life, is causing modern-day teens to become overworked and under-rested. While some students manage to keep up with this packed schedule, many teens go from being A+ students to barely being able to get out of bed in the morning. Some causes of excessive tiredness, like lack of sleep and improper sleep hygiene, can be easy to remedy. However, other causes, like digestive problems, hormonal changes, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), may require more serious care. In Tired Teens, Dr. Fischer explains how to identify the warning signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue in teens, helping you determine if your teen’s excessive tiredness is simply a symptom of a busy schedule, or the result of an unexpected disorder, like autonomic dysfunction and POTS. Finally, the book provides expert advice on receiving an evaluation and diagnosis for adolescent fatigue, and outlines different treatment plans available to those diagnosed with this invisible illness. By simplifying these issues in a clear and digestible way, Dr. Fischer makes it easy for teens and parents to learn how to manage and treat persistent tiredness. Whether you’re a teen experiencing chronic fatigue or the parent of one, Tired Teens offers hope and guidance about how to overcome chronic fatigue and POTS for good.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are serious, debilitating conditions that affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. ME/CFS can cause significant impairment and disability. Despite substantial efforts by researchers to better understand ME/CFS, there is no known cause or effective treatment. Diagnosing the disease remains a challenge, and patients often struggle with their illness for years before an identification is made. Some health care providers have been skeptical about the serious physiological - rather than psychological - nature of the illness. Once diagnosed, patients often complain of receiving hostility from their health care provider as well as being subjected to treatment strategies that exacerbate their symptoms. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome proposes new diagnostic clinical criteria for ME/CFS and a new term for the illness - systemic exertion intolerance disease(SEID). According to this report, the term myalgic encephalomyelitis does not accurately describe this illness, and the term chronic fatigue syndrome can result in trivialization and stigmatization for patients afflicted with this illness. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stresses that SEID is a medical - not a psychiatric or psychological - illness. This report lists the major symptoms of SEID and recommends a diagnostic process.One of the report's most important conclusions is that a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted work-up are necessary and often sufficient for diagnosis. The new criteria will allow a large percentage of undiagnosed patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be a valuable resource to promote the prompt diagnosis of patients with this complex, multisystem, and often devastating disorder; enhance public understanding; and provide a firm foundation for future improvements in diagnosis and treatment.
