Photo: CBS
TheJeopardy!team is apologizing for the wording on one of their clues after criticism of an “outdated” term.
The answer here was heart, and viewers took issue with the reference to the Dr. Seuss story in which the Grinch’s heart was “two sizes too small,” calling it a nickname for the condition that is no longer used because it’s inaccurate to the actual disorder.
“Yesterday’s program included a clue about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). After hearing from the community, we found we used an outdated and inaccurate term for this disorder, and we apologize,” the officialJeopardy!Twitter account wroteon Tuesday.
POTS affects blood flow,according to the Cleveland Clinic, and common symptoms include lightheadedness, fainting and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat. It does not mean the structure or size of the heart is abnormal.
Jeopardy/Instagram
Dysautonomia International, which is a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness of autonomic nervous system disorders, was outspoken about theJeopardy!clueon Twitter, explaining that “no one with any credibility calls POTS ‘Grinch Syndrome.’ "
Lauren Stiles, the president and co-founder of the organization,toldParademagazine, “POTS is an autonomic nervous system disorder that impacts an estimated 1 to 3 million Americans. When the autonomic nerves aren’t working properly, this can cause symptoms like lightheadedness, brain fog, fainting, an abnormally fast heart rate when standing up, gastrointestinal problems, and more. About 85 percent of POTS patients are female and the most common age of onset is age 14. Although adults can develop it too. There are no FDA approved treatments for POTS, so patients struggle to find effective treatments.”
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.
MatildaandMrs. DoubtfireactressMara Wilsonwas among those speaking out on Twitter about POTS misinformation. “It’s also just not true!” Wilson, 33,tweetedabout the “Grinch syndrome” term. “It was based on one doctor’s contentious theory proposed more than ten years ago. There’s no scientific consensus. Disappointed to see @Jeopardy spreading medical misinformation.”
“Thinking back to all the EKGs, ECGs, stress tests, and heart monitors I’ve had over the years, all of which have shown my heart to be totally normal, while my autonomic nervous system remains a mess,” Wilson added.
Mara Wilson.Tara Ziemba/Getty
In 2019, Wilson opened about living with dysautonomia and being tested for POTS at the time,explaining to Lifehackerthat “basically, it’s like you stand up, and your heart rate speeds up, because your blood pressure is low, and your heart rate speeds up to overcompensate for it.”
source: people.com
