diff --git a/astro/src/content/blogs/dysautonomia-intro.mdx b/astro/src/content/blogs/dysautonomia-intro.mdx new file mode 100644 index 00000000..e384a06e --- /dev/null +++ b/astro/src/content/blogs/dysautonomia-intro.mdx @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +--- +title: Understanding Dysautonomia and How It Affects Daily Life +description: On Accessible Community's Day in the Life podcast, we have been talking about dysautonomia. This article is an overview explaining how dysautonomia affects people. +published: 2026-10-27 +tags: + - education +author: esther-klang +--- + +On _Accessible Community's_ 'Day in the Life' podcast, we have been sharing stories about dysautonomia. This post breaks down what dysautonomia is and why inclusion matters for everyone. Dysautonomia is simply one part of human diversity. It changes how people manage their energy, move around, process information, and connect with others. + +## What Dysautonomia Is + +Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the autonomic nervous system. This hidden control system handles body tasks that happen automatically, like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature. When it glitches, these automatic functions become unpredictable. Common signs include: + +* A fast heart rate, lightheadedness, or fainting when standing up +* Difficulty adjusting to hot or cold temperatures +* Stomach issues like nausea, bloating, or pain +* Symptoms that shift, fade, or flare up throughout the day + +There are several types of dysautonomia. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is one of the most common. It causes a person's heart rate to spike when they stand up. Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) triggers sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to fainting. Autonomic neuropathy occurs when nerve damage impairs automatic functions, often as a result of another medical condition like diabetes. +Because the nervous system is so complex, no two people experience dysautonomia in the exact same way. Even with the same diagnosis, daily life can look completely different. + +## How Symptoms Appear + +Dysautonomia affects multiple body systems at once. People may experience some or all of the following challenges: + +### Heart Rate and Blood Pressure + +* Standing up can trigger a racing heart, dizziness, or fainting, a challenge known as orthostatic intolerance. +* Blood pressure can unexpectedly drop or jump without warning. +* Frequent breaks to sit or lie down are often necessary to manage symptoms. + +### Temperature and Sweating + +* The body struggles to balance temperature, making hot or cold environments triggers for symptom flares. +* Sweat production can be unpredictable, causing someone to sweat heavily or barely at all. +* Shifts in weather or humidity can significantly affect how a person feels day to day. + +### Digestion + +* Nausea, stomach pain, and slow digestion are common because the digestive tract relies heavily on autonomic nerves. +* Eating large meals or certain foods can trigger discomfort or fatigue. +* Digestive symptoms can appear suddenly, even during an otherwise good day. + +### Energy and Thinking + +* Deep fatigue is widespread and often does not go away with extra sleep. +* Brain fog can make it hard to focus, speak clearly, or remember details, especially during symptom flares. +* Mental and physical energy must be carefully budgeted throughout the day. + +These challenges are not personal limitations or failures. Most barriers exist because places, schools, and workplaces were not designed with dysautonomia in mind. + +## Dysautonomia at Every Stage of Life + +Dysautonomia can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. Symptoms may start in childhood, begin during the teenage years, or develop later in life after a virus, injury, or surgery. Some people are simply born with a nervous system that operates this way. + +Because the condition is unpredictable, someone who feels well for months may suddenly experience an intense flare-up. Finding the right combination of rest, treatments, and accommodations takes time. A person's needs can change across different stages of life, or even from one day to the next. + +Having access to informed medical care, supportive accommodations, and inclusive environments makes all the difference. Dysautonomia does not limit what a person can achieve—a lack of access does. + +### Language Matters + +Many individuals prefer person-first phrases like "person with dysautonomia" or "person living with dysautonomia". Those with a specific form, such as POTS, may prefer to state their diagnosis directly. The best approach is always to ask and use the terms someone chooses for themselves. + +Avoid dramatic language that frames dysautonomia as a tragedy. Phrases like "confined to bed," "battling dysautonomia," or "suffering from" reinforce negative stereotypes. Instead, focus on access, tools, and equal participation. + +* Preferred terms: "person with dysautonomia," "person living with dysautonomia," or specific diagnosis (when accurate and preferred) +* Terms to avoid: "confined to bed," "battling dysautonomia," "suffering from," or pity-focused language + +### What Inclusion Looks Like in Daily Life + +Inclusion is about practical action. It reflects in how environments, workplaces, and communication channels are built: + +* Offer flexible schedules and remote options, as energy levels and symptoms shift rapidly. +* Ensure quiet spaces exist where individuals can sit or lie down during a flare-up. +* Maintain cool indoor temperatures and avoid requiring long periods of standing in the heat. +* Allow easy access to water, fluids, and salty snacks, which help manage symptoms. +* Provide instructions in writing alongside spoken directions to help offset brain fog and memory issues. +* Focus on providing supportive tools rather than requiring extensive proof or paperwork for basic accommodations. + +Believing people when they describe invisible symptoms like severe fatigue or dizziness is key to building trust. +These simple accommodations make environments more welcoming for people with dysautonomia, creating spaces that ultimately work better for everyone. + +## Listening to Lived Experiences + +People with dysautonomia are the true experts on their own lives. When schools, workplaces, and organizations include their voices in decision-making—and compensate them fairly for their insight—everyone benefits. +The 'Day in the Life' podcast features real conversations with people living with dysautonomia. These personal stories show that there is no single narrative, but rather a rich variety of lived experiences. + +Explore this month's *Day in the Life* podcast episodes on dysautonomia: + +* [Dysautonomia – Day in the Life with Amanda](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568061/episodes/19888064) +* [Dysautonomia – Day in the Life with Oliver](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568061/episodes/19931086) +* [Dysautonomia – Day in the Life with Tiahnan](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568061/episodes/19949841) + +Dysautonomia is a valuable part of human diversity. When we design environments with accessibility in mind, everyone thrives. diff --git a/astro/src/lib/blog.ts b/astro/src/lib/blog.ts index 9e316c6f..fbd6d46a 100644 --- a/astro/src/lib/blog.ts +++ b/astro/src/lib/blog.ts @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ export interface BlogCatalog { recent: Blog; } -export async function getBlogCatalog(blogs?: Blogs): Promise { +export async function getFullBlogCatalog(blogs?: Blogs): Promise { blogs = isNil(blogs) ? await orderByRecent(blogs) : blogs; const topics = await getBlogTopics(blogs); const authors = await getBlogAuthors(blogs); @@ -94,10 +94,16 @@ export async function getBlogCatalog(blogs?: Blogs): Promise { const recent = await getMostRecent(blogs); return { - blogs: blogs.slice(0, 10), + blogs, authors, topics, dates, recent, }; } + +export async function getBlogCatalog(blogs?: Blogs): Promise { + const catalog = await getFullBlogCatalog(blogs); + catalog.blogs = catalog.blogs.slice(0, 10); + return catalog; +} diff --git a/astro/src/pages/blog/[slug].astro b/astro/src/pages/blog/[slug].astro index b28ff6af..669d04df 100644 --- a/astro/src/pages/blog/[slug].astro +++ b/astro/src/pages/blog/[slug].astro @@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ import type { Breadcrumbs } from "@lib/types"; import type { CollectionEntry } from "astro:content"; -import { getBlogCatalog, type BlogCatalog } from "../../lib/blog"; +import { getFullBlogCatalog, type BlogCatalog } from "../../lib/blog"; export async function getStaticPaths() { - const catalog = await getBlogCatalog(); + const catalog = await getFullBlogCatalog(); const crumbs = [ { name: "Home", @@ -30,8 +30,9 @@ interface Props { } const { blog, catalog, crumbs } = Astro.props; +catalog.blogs = catalog.blogs.slice(0, 10); import BlogLayout from "../../layouts/BlogLayout.astro"; --- - +