Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, also called dysautonomia. It affects heart rate, blood vessel dilation, blood pooling, movement of food through the digestive system, and body temperature. While anyone can develop POTS, approximately 75% of those diagnosed are women between the ages of 15 and 50 (2). POTS can be triggered by a variety of life stressors including pregnancy, surgery, trauma, or a viral infection like mononucleosis or Lyme disease. There has also been a dramatic increase in those being diagnosed after having COVID-19.

Symptoms

Neurological Symptoms

  • Dizziness

  • Lightheadedness

  • Headaches

  • Migraines

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue

  • Sleep abnormalities

Pain Symptoms

  • Neuropathic pain

  • Abdominal pain

  • Hypersensitivity

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of POTS

  • Gastroparesis

  • Rapid gastric emptying

Managing Symptoms

Unfortunately, there is not a one sure thing for managing the symptoms of POTS.  Since everyone has a different combination of symptoms, each person has a different treatment regiment Some people respond very well to daily recumbent exercise, while for others dietary changes are more important. The best regiment will be one personalized to you and your symptoms that your team puts together.

Preventing Pre-Syncope / Syncope

  • Increase salt intake

  • HYDRATE

  • Use compression clothing

  • Pump legs in bed before first getting up in the morning. This gets blood circulating to your head before you rise up.

  • Sit when possible

  • Keep head above heart level, I.e limit bending


Nausea

  • Eat 4-6 smaller meals, opposed to 2-3 bigger ones

  • Try new diets, low histamine in particular

  • Nausea medications, or natural solutions like ginger, peppermint or lavender

  • Heating pads on stomach


Most information from https://www.standinguptopots.org