Dysautonomia: an invisible illness, for the most part, that refers to a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which acts unconsciously to regulate various bodily functions - including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rates.

Most people haven't heard of it, but if you have, you've likely experienced it yourself or through a friend or family member. Dysautonomia involves a lot of different conditions, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS). Every single case is different. It sucks, and there's no cure for it, but there is treatment.

However, in most cases of dysautonomia, the way you live your life is altered significantly, even with treatment. Here are some things you can relate to if you have dysautonomia.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

You have to drink so much more water than someone without dysautonomia. Treatment for POTS, for example, recommends 2-3 liters daily.

2. You are the pill-popping champ of the 21st century.

Doctors have probably given you a bunch of different medications to control the varying symptoms you're experiencing. At first, you were probably taking them one at a time. Now, you're taking them by the handful with no problem. It's a skill, really. You're amazing.

3. Sodium is king.

To constrict those blood vessels, your doctor will tell you to up your salt intake. Sometimes this results in taking tablets of pure salt to increase your sodium levels. You can do it! Just don't let one of those tablets get caught in your throat.

4. Another nap? I think yes.

You really shouldn't be taking naps, but you're tired all. the. time.

5. You're usually up all night.

It might be because of the naps, but your sleep schedule is so screwy, you're definitely awake when you should be sleeping and asleep when you should be awake.

6. Exercising sucks more than it usually would.

Building core muscles will definitely help with dysautonomic systems, but exercising feels like the worst thing you've ever done.

7. Aches and pains.

Joints hurt, muscles hurt, everything hurts.

8. Hydrate some more.

Did you think you were drinking enough after I mentioned hydration in the first bullet point? Drink some more! Drink water with your water!

9. Someone is always asking you how you're feeling.

This is especially true when you might be doing something that involves exerting yourself more than usual.

10. Allergies...?

Dysautonomia also impacts your gastrointestinal function. To make it easier on yourself, you start cutting things like dairy and gluten out of your diet.

11. Nix the alcohol.

Your mom is always telling you to chug, but she's not talking about alcohol. Alcohol, in almost every case, makes dysautonomia systems a thousand times worse.

12. Your doctor is your new best friend.

Do you live in the waiting room of your cardiologist? Yes.

13. What is that pounding in your skull?

Headaches run rampant if you have dysautonomia. Drink more water? Take a Tylenol? Cry?

14. Going outside in the summer is sometimes not an option.

The heat makes your symptoms worse, so you just have to stay in the air conditioning.

15. Some days you just have to say "I can't."

It's okay to take a day off.

16. Every victory is bigger than the last one.

When you find that you are capable of doing things that are hard for you, it feels like your birthday and, like, five holidays rolled into one.

To every dysautonomia patient out there: you can do it.