What is POTS?

POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It’s a situation that causes your coronary heart price to extend an excessive amount of whenever you rise up from sitting or mendacity down. This will result in a lot of signs, together with lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and fatigue.

POTS is a comparatively frequent situation, affecting as much as 1 in 100 individuals. It’s most typical in younger adults, particularly girls. Nonetheless, it might have an effect on individuals of all ages and genders.

Within the subsequent part, we are going to take a better have a look at the causes, signs, and therapy choices for POTS.

What’s POTS

POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It’s a situation that causes an irregular improve in coronary heart price when standing up from sitting or mendacity down.

Fast coronary heart price
Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Blurred imaginative and prescient
Nausea
Complications
Chest ache

POTS might be attributable to a wide range of elements, together with dehydration, sure drugs, and underlying medical circumstances. Therapy for POTS usually includes way of life adjustments, comparable to rising fluid consumption and avoiding triggers, in addition to drugs.

Fast coronary heart price

One of many fundamental signs of POTS is a fast coronary heart price, also called tachycardia. Which means that your coronary heart price will increase by 30 beats per minute or extra whenever you rise up from sitting or mendacity down.

Regular coronary heart price:

A standard resting coronary heart price is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. While you rise up, your coronary heart price might improve by 10 to twenty beats per minute.
POTS coronary heart price:

In individuals with POTS, the guts price will increase by greater than 30 beats per minute when standing up, and it might attain 120 beats per minute or greater.
Signs of fast coronary heart price:

A fast coronary heart price may cause a lot of signs, together with lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, chest ache, and shortness of breath.
Causes of fast coronary heart price in POTS:

The precise reason behind the fast coronary heart price in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to an issue with the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily features comparable to coronary heart price and blood stress.

For those who expertise a fast coronary heart price when standing up, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out POTS and different underlying medical circumstances.

Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is one other frequent symptom of POTS. It’s usually described as a sense of dizziness, faintness, or being about to cross out. Lightheadedness in POTS is attributable to a drop in blood stress when standing up.

What causes lightheadedness in POTS?

While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a drop in blood stress, which might result in lightheadedness. In individuals with POTS, the drop in blood stress is extra extreme, which is why they’re extra prone to expertise lightheadedness when standing up.
Signs of lightheadedness:

Lightheadedness may cause a lot of signs, together with dizziness, fainting, blurred imaginative and prescient, nausea, and sweating. It may well additionally make it troublesome to pay attention or carry out duties that require consideration.
Tips on how to forestall lightheadedness in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall lightheadedness in POTS, together with:
- Ingesting loads of fluids
- Consuming a nutritious diet
- Avoiding triggers that will trigger your signs to worsen
- Carrying compression stockings
- Performing workouts that assist to strengthen your leg muscle tissue
When to see a health care provider:

For those who expertise lightheadedness, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out POTS and different underlying medical circumstances.

Lightheadedness is a typical symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Dizziness

Dizziness is one other frequent symptom of POTS. It’s usually described as a sense of spinning or lightheadedness. Dizziness in POTS can also be attributable to a drop in blood stress when standing up.

What causes dizziness in POTS?

While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a drop in blood stress, which might result in dizziness. In individuals with POTS, the drop in blood stress is extra extreme, which is why they’re extra prone to expertise dizziness when standing up.
Signs of dizziness:

Dizziness may cause a lot of signs, together with lightheadedness, fainting, blurred imaginative and prescient, nausea, and sweating. It may well additionally make it troublesome to pay attention or carry out duties that require consideration.
Tips on how to forestall dizziness in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall dizziness in POTS, together with:
- Ingesting loads of fluids
- Consuming a nutritious diet
- Avoiding triggers that will trigger your signs to worsen
- Carrying compression stockings
- Performing workouts that assist to strengthen your leg muscle tissue
When to see a health care provider:

For those who expertise dizziness, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out POTS and different underlying medical circumstances.

Dizziness is a typical symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

**Observe:** Dizziness and lightheadedness are sometimes used interchangeably, however there’s a refined distinction between the 2. Dizziness is a sensation of spinning or motion, whereas lightheadedness is a sense of faintness or being about to cross out.

Fainting

Fainting, also called syncope, is a brief lack of consciousness attributable to a drop in blood stress. It’s a frequent symptom of POTS, particularly in individuals who expertise extreme orthostatic intolerance.

What causes fainting in POTS?

While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a drop in blood stress, which might result in fainting. In individuals with POTS, the drop in blood stress is extra extreme, which is why they’re extra prone to faint when standing up. Moreover, individuals with POTS might have a decreased capability to extend their coronary heart price and blood stress in response to standing, which might additionally contribute to fainting.

Signs of fainting:

Fainting may cause a lot of signs, together with:

Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Blurred imaginative and prescient
Nausea
Sweating
Fast coronary heart price
Shortness of breath
Confusion
Lack of consciousness

Tips on how to forestall fainting in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall fainting in POTS, together with:

Ingesting loads of fluids
Consuming a nutritious diet
Avoiding triggers that will trigger your signs to worsen
Carrying compression stockings
Performing workouts that assist to strengthen your leg muscle tissue
Taking medicine to extend your blood stress

When to see a health care provider:

For those who expertise fainting, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out POTS and different underlying medical circumstances.

Fainting is a critical symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a typical symptom of POTS. It may well vary from gentle to extreme, and it might make it troublesome to carry out on a regular basis actions.

What causes fatigue in POTS?

The precise reason behind fatigue in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a lot of elements, together with:

Diminished blood circulate to the mind: While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a lower in blood circulate to the mind, which might result in fatigue.
Elevated coronary heart price: Individuals with POTS usually have a fast coronary heart price, which might additionally contribute to fatigue.
Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which might additionally result in fatigue.
Poor sleep: Many individuals with POTS have issue sleeping, which might additionally contribute to fatigue.

Signs of fatigue:

Fatigue may cause a lot of signs, together with:

Excessive tiredness
Lack of vitality
Issue concentrating
Irritability
Muscle weak point
Complications
Nausea
Dizziness
Lightheadedness

Tips on how to handle fatigue in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle fatigue in POTS, together with:

Pacing your actions: You will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Take heed to your physique and take breaks whenever you want them.
Ingesting loads of fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back fatigue.
Getting common train: Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back fatigue.
Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for general well being and well-being. Purpose for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
Managing stress: Stress can worsen fatigue. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.

Fatigue is a typical and debilitating symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Blurred imaginative and prescient

Blurred imaginative and prescient is a typical symptom of POTS. It may well vary from gentle to extreme, and it might make it troublesome to carry out on a regular basis actions comparable to studying, driving, and dealing on a pc.

What causes blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS?

The precise reason behind blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a lot of elements, together with:

Diminished blood circulate to the mind: While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a lower in blood circulate to the mind, which might result in blurred imaginative and prescient.
Elevated coronary heart price: Individuals with POTS usually have a fast coronary heart price, which might additionally contribute to blurred imaginative and prescient.
Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which might additionally result in blurred imaginative and prescient.
Poor sleep: Many individuals with POTS have issue sleeping, which might additionally contribute to blurred imaginative and prescient.

Signs of blurred imaginative and prescient:

Blurred imaginative and prescient may cause a lot of signs, together with:

Issue seeing objects clearly
Double imaginative and prescient
Halos round lights
Eye ache
Complications
Nausea
Dizziness
Lightheadedness

Tips on how to handle blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS, together with:

Pacing your actions: You will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Take heed to your physique and take breaks whenever you want them.
Ingesting loads of fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back blurred imaginative and prescient.
Getting common train: Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back blurred imaginative and prescient.
Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for general well being and well-being. Purpose for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
Managing stress: Stress can worsen blurred imaginative and prescient. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.

Blurred imaginative and prescient is a typical and debilitating symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Nausea

Nausea is a typical symptom of POTS. It may well vary from gentle to extreme, and it might make it troublesome to eat and drink. Nausea also can result in vomiting, which might additional worsen dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

What causes nausea in POTS?

The precise reason behind nausea in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a lot of elements, together with:

Diminished blood circulate to the mind: While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a lower in blood circulate to the mind, which might result in nausea.
Elevated coronary heart price: Individuals with POTS usually have a fast coronary heart price, which might additionally contribute to nausea.
Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which might additionally result in nausea.
Poor sleep: Many individuals with POTS have issue sleeping, which might additionally contribute to nausea.

Signs of nausea:

Nausea may cause a lot of signs, together with:

Feeling sick to your abdomen
Vomiting
Lack of urge for food
Stomach ache
Complications
Dizziness
Lightheadedness

Tips on how to handle nausea in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle nausea in POTS, together with:

Pacing your actions: You will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Take heed to your physique and take breaks whenever you want them.
Ingesting loads of fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back nausea.
Getting common train: Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back nausea.
Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for general well being and well-being. Purpose for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
Managing stress: Stress can worsen nausea. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.
Taking medicine: In case your nausea is extreme, your physician might prescribe medicine to assist management it.

Nausea is a typical and debilitating symptom of POTS, however it may be managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Complications

Complications are a typical symptom of POTS. They’ll vary from gentle to extreme, they usually could make it troublesome to pay attention and carry out on a regular basis actions.

What causes complications in POTS?

The precise reason behind complications in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a lot of elements, together with:
- Diminished blood circulate to the mind: While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a lower in blood circulate to the mind, which might result in complications.
- Elevated coronary heart price: Individuals with POTS usually have a fast coronary heart price, which might additionally contribute to complications.
- Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which might additionally result in complications.
- Poor sleep: Many individuals with POTS have issue sleeping, which might additionally contribute to complications.
Signs of complications in POTS:

Complications in POTS may cause a lot of signs, together with:
- Ache within the head, neck, or temples
- Throbbing or pounding sensation
- Sensitivity to mild and sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
Tips on how to handle complications in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle complications in POTS, together with:
- Pacing your actions: You will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Take heed to your physique and take breaks whenever you want them.
- Ingesting loads of fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day.
- Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back complications.
- Getting common train: Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back complications.
- Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for general well being and well-being. Purpose for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
- Managing stress: Stress can worsen complications. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.
- Taking medicine: In case your complications are extreme, your physician might prescribe medicine to assist management them.
When to see a health care provider:

For those who expertise complications which can be extreme or that intrude together with your every day actions, you will need to see a health care provider to rule out different underlying medical circumstances.

Complications are a typical and debilitating symptom of POTS, however they are often managed with way of life adjustments and drugs.

Chest ache

Chest ache is a typical symptom of POTS. It may well vary from gentle to extreme, and it may be horrifying. Nonetheless, chest ache in POTS is normally not an indication of a coronary heart assault or different critical medical situation.

What causes chest ache in POTS?

The precise reason behind chest ache in POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a lot of elements, together with:

Fast coronary heart price: Individuals with POTS usually have a fast coronary heart price, which might put pressure on the guts and trigger chest ache.
Diminished blood circulate to the guts: While you rise up, gravity pulls blood all the way down to your legs. This will trigger a lower in blood circulate to the guts, which might additionally result in chest ache.
Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which might additionally result in chest ache.
Nervousness: Many individuals with POTS expertise anxiousness, which might additionally contribute to chest ache.

Signs of chest ache in POTS:

Chest ache in POTS may cause a lot of signs, together with:

Ache within the chest
Tightness or stress within the chest
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Lightheadedness

Tips on how to handle chest ache in POTS:

There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle chest ache in POTS, together with:

Pacing your actions: You will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Take heed to your physique and take breaks whenever you want them.
Ingesting loads of fluids: Staying hydrated is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back chest ache.
Getting common train: Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back chest ache.
Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for general well being and well-being. Purpose for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
Managing stress: Stress can worsen chest ache. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.
Taking medicine: In case your chest ache is extreme, your physician might prescribe medicine to assist management it.

Chest ache is a typical and horrifying symptom of POTS, however it’s normally not an indication of a critical medical situation. There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle chest ache in POTS, together with way of life adjustments and drugs.

FAQ

Listed here are some often requested questions on POTS:

Query 1: What’s POTS?
Reply: POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It’s a situation that causes your coronary heart price to extend an excessive amount of whenever you rise up from sitting or mendacity down. This will result in a lot of signs, together with lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and fatigue.

Query 2: What causes POTS?
Reply: The precise reason behind POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to an issue with the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily features comparable to coronary heart price and blood stress.

Query 3: Who’s in danger for POTS?
Reply: POTS is most typical in younger adults, particularly girls. Nonetheless, it might have an effect on individuals of all ages and genders.

Query 4: What are the signs of POTS?
Reply: The most typical signs of POTS are lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and fatigue. Different signs can embody fast coronary heart price, blurred imaginative and prescient, nausea, complications, and chest ache.

Query 5: How is POTS recognized?
Reply: POTS is recognized with a tilt desk check. Throughout this check, you’ll lie on a desk that’s tilted as much as a standing place. Your coronary heart price and blood stress shall be monitored through the check.

Query 6: How is POTS handled?
Reply: There is no such thing as a remedy for POTS, however there are remedies that may assist to handle the signs. Therapies for POTS might embody way of life adjustments, comparable to rising fluid consumption and avoiding triggers, in addition to drugs.

Query 7: What’s the prognosis for POTS?
Reply: The prognosis for POTS is usually good. Most individuals with POTS are capable of handle their signs and reside full and energetic lives.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

Along with the knowledge on this FAQ, there are a selection of sources accessible on-line and from assist teams that may present extra details about POTS.

Suggestions

Listed here are just a few suggestions for managing POTS:

Tip 1: Keep hydrated. Ingesting loads of fluids is crucial for individuals with POTS. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day, or extra in case you are exercising or sweating.

Tip 2: Eat a nutritious diet. Consuming a nutritious diet will help to enhance your general well being and well-being, which might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Concentrate on consuming loads of fruits, greens, and entire grains.

Tip 3: Get common train. Train will help to enhance your circulation and strengthen your muscle tissue, which might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Nonetheless, you will need to keep away from overexerting your self. Begin slowly and regularly improve the depth and length of your exercises.

Tip 4: Handle stress. Stress can worsen POTS signs. Discover wholesome methods to handle stress, comparable to train, yoga, or meditation.

Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:

Following the following pointers will help you to handle your POTS signs and enhance your high quality of life. Nonetheless, you will need to work together with your physician to develop a therapy plan that’s best for you.

In case you have been recognized with POTS, you will need to be taught as a lot as you’ll be able to in regards to the situation and how you can handle it. There are a selection of sources accessible on-line and from assist teams that may give you extra data and assist.

Conclusion

POTS is a situation that may trigger a lot of disagreeable and debilitating signs, however you will need to do not forget that it’s not a life-threatening situation. With correct analysis and therapy, most individuals with POTS are capable of handle their signs and reside full and energetic lives.

Abstract of Important Factors:

POTS is a situation that causes your coronary heart price to extend an excessive amount of whenever you rise up from sitting or mendacity down.
POTS is most typical in younger adults, particularly girls.
The precise reason behind POTS isn’t totally understood, however it’s considered associated to an issue with the autonomic nervous system.
Signs of POTS can embody lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, fast coronary heart price, blurred imaginative and prescient, nausea, complications, and chest ache.
POTS is recognized with a tilt desk check.
There is no such thing as a remedy for POTS, however there are remedies that may assist to handle the signs.
Therapies for POTS might embody way of life adjustments, comparable to rising fluid consumption and avoiding triggers, in addition to drugs.

Closing Message:

For those who suppose you might have POTS, you will need to see a health care provider to get a analysis and begin therapy. Early analysis and therapy will help to enhance your signs and forestall issues. With correct administration, most individuals with POTS are capable of reside full and energetic lives.