MitoAction Expert Series

MitoAction welcomes Dr. David Holtzman to discuss “dysautonomia”.

Dysautonomia is a failure of the autonomic nervous system to regulate certain body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiration, digestion, etc. The dysautonomia information network (www.dinet.org) offers information about several types of dysautonomia, including POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Experienced by many people with mitochondrial disease, POTS is basically a dramatic increase in heart rate upon standing, and may result in dizziness, nausea, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Many adults and children with mitochondrial disorders experience such symptoms related to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms may be puzzling, such as abnormal sweating or body temperatures, or may affect quality of life. For some people, constant nausea, dizziness, gut cramping, etc. is extraordinarily challenging.

Warmer temperatures and weather changes in the spring may prompt temperature regulation difficulties for people with Mito. Often parents of children with mitochondrial disorders and adults living with the disease may not recognize that the symptoms could be related to dysautonomia.

About the Speaker

David Holtzman, MD is a pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and sits on the MitoAction Medical Advisory Committee. Dr. Holtzman will discuss the basics of dysautonomia and common symptoms for people affected by mitochondrial disease, as well as answer questions from the group.

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About the Speaker

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About the Speaker

Dr. Fran Kendall is one of the pioneers in the field and is a Harvard-trained board-certified Clinical Biochemical Geneticist who founded the very first clinical mitochondrial disease program in the United States. Over decades of a career specializing in Metabolic, Mitochondrial, and Inherited Disorders, she: founded one of the first commercial laboratories focused on rare metabolic and mitochondrial disorders; pioneered telemedicine and private practice in rare genetics by founding VMP Genetics which has branched into 3 divisions (Direct Patient Care, Education, Physician to Physician Support); was the head of genetics for a large hospital system; authored chapters on mitochondrial medicine for medical texts and numerous research articles; lectures at medical schools and nursing schools on these disorders; is a frequent guest speaker at medical conferences on mitochondrial disease and autism; often acts as an expert witness in Federal court cases; and has appeared on national news outlets to offer expert opinion.

She currently sees children and adult patients from around the world in either her VMP Genetics clinic offices in Atlanta, GA or by telemedicine.

The official MitoAction podcast is a monthly call often with physicians who are experts on mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease occurs when the mitochondria(the powerhouse of a cell) are unable to effectively generate energy during food metabolism. Approximately one in 4000 adults and children have mitochondrial disease ("Mito"). MitoAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy for the mitochondrial disease patient community.

The official MitoAction podcast is a monthly call often with physicians who are experts on mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease occurs when the mitochondria(the powerhouse of a cell) are unable to effectively generate energy during food metabolism. Approximately one in 4000 adults and children have mitochondrial disease ("Mito"). MitoAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy for the mitochondrial disease patient community.

The official MitoAction podcast is a monthly call often with physicians who are experts on mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease occurs when the mitochondria(the powerhouse of a cell) are unable to effectively generate energy during food metabolism. Approximately one in 4000 adults and children have mitochondrial disease ("Mito"). MitoAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy for the mitochondrial disease patient community.

The official MitoAction podcast is a monthly call often with physicians who are experts on mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease occurs when the mitochondria(the powerhouse of a cell) are unable to effectively generate energy during food metabolism. Approximately one in 4000 adults and children have mitochondrial disease ("Mito"). MitoAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy for the mitochondrial disease patient community.

The official MitoAction podcast is a monthly call often with physicians who are experts on mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease occurs when the mitochondria(the powerhouse of a cell) are unable to effectively generate energy during food metabolism. Approximately one in 4000 adults and children have mitochondrial disease ("Mito"). MitoAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy for the mitochondrial disease patient community.