Although POTS can be crippling, many people with the disorder can still attend school and hold down a steady job. They must be extra vigilant about sodium and fluid intake, compression, and exercise, and take medication. Symptoms can flare up unexpectedly, so it’s essential to pay attention to every detail. Despite this, formal accommodations and support from family and healthcare team members can help POTS sufferers live a normal life.
Treatment options
Patients with POTS experience symptoms that make them dizzy and light-headed upon standing up from a sitting or lying-down position. They also complain of fatigue, pain, nausea, and gastrointestinal problems. Many patients also report having migraine headaches. This disorder is extremely debilitating, but there are treatment options available.
Various pharmacologic therapies have been developed for POTS. Patients with POTS may benefit from the use of antidepressants. SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are frequently prescribed. These drugs are more effective in treating POTS than in treating neurocardiogenic syncope. Other pharmacologic agents, such as beta blockers and vasoconstrictors, may also be used in some cases.
Although the exact cause of POTS remains unknown, patients with the disorder have increased heart rates between 30 and 120 beats per minute. In addition, there is a low blood volume in the lower half of the body, which means that less blood returns to the brain. Other symptoms of POTS include lightheadedness, brain fog, and fatigue. Additionally, the condition can cause an increase in heart rate, which can lead to chest pain.
While it is difficult to diagnose POTS, many treatment options are available to help people live a better life. Because there is no cure, doctors should try to find an appropriate combination of medications to alleviate the symptoms. The best way to manage POTS is to maintain an open line of communication with your physician. Your physician can come up with a unique treatment plan to improve your condition.
Mechanisms of reduced return of blood to the heart
The reduced return of blood to the heart in pot patients is the result of an underlying disease called POTS. This disease is thought to be a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, movement of food through the digestive tract, and sweating. Its symptoms are varied, but most commonly include increased heart rate, brain fog, and fatigue. In severe cases, the patient may also experience chest pain, shakiness, and skipped or forceful heartbeats.
This condition may be triggered by prolonged standing or light exercise. The condition may also occur concurrently with orthostatic hypotension, a condition in which blood pressure drops rapidly. Both conditions are associated with multiple systems atrophy. When a person experiences these symptoms, the heart is not able to keep up with the body’s demand for oxygen.
Symptoms
Your doctor will perform a series of tests to determine whether you have POTS. This may include a tilt table test, which measures the body’s response to changes in position. You may also need to have your blood pressure checked. Medications that help to balance fluid levels in the body are also useful in managing symptoms.
In POTS, your heart rate will increase, sometimes by as much as 30 beats per minute. This is not normal. Your blood pressure will drop in response. This can be especially problematic when you’re standing for long periods of time. You may also experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and brain fog. Additionally, your heart rate will increase, which can cause chest pain and shakiness.
Headaches are also a common symptom. About two-thirds of people with POTS experience headaches at least once in their lives. The most common type of headache is migraine, which can cause nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to bright lights and loud noise. Another common symptom of POTS is a type of headache called a “coat hanger headache.” This type of headache occurs when you’re standing for an extended period of time. These headaches usually clear up when you lie down.
To help manage your POTS symptoms, your doctor may suggest changing your diet to address your specific needs. Eating a low-calorie diet high in complex carbohydrates and lean protein may help to reduce your blood glucose spikes. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals with high fiber, high-protein foods, and vegetables and fruits. Also, avoid large meals, as they redirect blood to digestion, which can increase the severity of your symptoms. Dietitians and nutritionists are available to help you make the right food choices for your body.
