{
  "id": 1803042,
  "title": "More women being diagnosed with POTS but rural patients face extra toll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/more-women-being-diagnosed-with-pots-but-rural-patients-face-extra",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-18T21:00:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/pots-women-diagnosis-rural-regional-patients-healthcare-sa/107016870"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Piper Makin, a rural teenager from Keith, South Australia, was recently diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Her mother, Kylie, launched a Facebook page to seek information and connect with others experiencing the same condition. The story highlights the challenges faced by rural patients with POTS, as they often lack awareness and support from healthcare systems. POTS is a disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system, which regulates vital functions like heart rate and blood pressure. According to the Australian POTS Foundation, women between the ages of 15 and 50 are at a higher risk of developing the condition. Symptoms are diverse, with Piper experiencing drops in blood pressure and fatigue. POTS research is limited, with only 2% of patients fully recovering after a 20-year study. A national survey found that only 2% of Australian general practitioners received training in POTS diagnosis or treatment. About 800,000 people in Australia live with POTS, but rural communities like Piper's often have little knowledge about the condition. Kylie's efforts to raise awareness through social media have connected Piper with other patients and led to a better understanding of her daughter's struggles.",
  "summary": "Being diagnosed with POTS in regional Australia means treatment is far away and local understanding of the condition is minimal.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}