A student in Calgary is using her personal experience with a neurological disorder to advance the medical community’s knowledge of it. Kate Bourne, a medical student at the University of Calgary, is the primary author of a recent study focusing on the long-term care outcomes of individuals diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition she was diagnosed with at the age of 24.
POTS is a condition that impacts the nervous system and predominantly affects women of childbearing age, leading to symptoms like rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea upon standing. The research, which included 44 patients diagnosed more than two decades ago, indicates that while POTS persisted in the majority of long-term patients, nearly half of them saw an improvement in symptoms through various treatments or over time.
According to the University of Calgary, it is estimated that around 450,000 Canadians are affected by this condition. Bourne, who was diagnosed with POTS after years of unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue starting at the age of 12, is now 36 years old and aims to dedicate her career to studying and treating POTS to help others avoid the challenges she faced.
Dr. Satish Raj, the lead of the study and a professor at the university’s department of cardiac sciences, emphasized the significance of the new findings in providing insights into the long-term outcomes for POTS patients. While the symptoms may not completely disappear for most patients, there is hope as almost half of them reported an improvement in their condition over time, suggesting that interventions can lead to enhanced functioning and quality of life.
The study sheds light on the seriousness of POTS and the need for effective treatment strategies, offering both patients and healthcare providers valuable information for managing this condition.
