If you happen to’ve been experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, it’s possible you’ll be questioning what’s inflicting these signs. One risk is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a situation that impacts the best way your physique regulates blood strain and coronary heart charge whenever you get up.
POTS is a comparatively widespread situation, affecting as much as 1 in 100 individuals. It’s typically seen with which causes the physique’s immune system to assault its personal tissues, or in individuals with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic dysfunction that impacts the connective tissue.
On this article, we’ll take a better take a look at POTS, together with its signs, causes, and therapy choices. We’ll additionally present some suggestions for managing the situation.
What’s POTS Syndrome?
POTS is a situation that impacts blood strain and coronary heart charge.
- Quick coronary heart charge on standing
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Fatigue and mind fog
- Fast heartbeat and palpitations
- Chest ache or shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred imaginative and prescient
- Issue sleeping
POTS may be brought on by a wide range of elements, together with dehydration, blood loss, and sure drugs. Additionally it is related to sure medical circumstances, corresponding to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and autoimmune problems.
Quick coronary heart charge on standing
Some of the widespread signs of POTS is a quick coronary heart charge upon standing. It is because whenever you get up, gravity pulls blood right down to your legs, which may trigger your blood strain to drop. In individuals with POTS, their coronary heart charge will increase quickly in an try to compensate for the drop in blood strain.
- Regular coronary heart charge response: When a wholesome individual stands up, their coronary heart charge usually will increase by 10-20 beats per minute. This can be a regular response that helps to take care of blood strain.
- POTS coronary heart charge response: In individuals with POTS, their coronary heart charge will increase by greater than 30 beats per minute once they get up. This speedy improve in coronary heart charge may cause a wide range of signs, together with lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting.
- Causes of quick coronary heart charge: The precise explanation for the quick coronary heart charge in POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood strain and coronary heart charge, and modifications in blood quantity.
- Impression of quick coronary heart charge: The quick coronary heart charge in POTS can have a big influence on an individual’s high quality of life. Signs can intrude with actions of every day residing, corresponding to work, college, and train. In some circumstances, POTS may result in extra critical issues, corresponding to stroke or coronary heart assault.
In case you are experiencing a quick coronary heart charge upon standing, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances, together with POTS.
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Lightheadedness or dizziness is one other widespread symptom of POTS. It is because the quick coronary heart charge and drop in blood strain that happen when standing up can result in a lower in blood movement to the mind. This may trigger a wide range of signs, together with:
- Feeling faint or such as you would possibly move out
- Blurred imaginative and prescient
- Tunnel imaginative and prescient
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Issue concentrating
Dizziness and lightheadedness may be very distressing and might intrude with an individual’s capacity to carry out on a regular basis actions. In some circumstances, dizziness may result in falls, which can lead to critical accidents.
There are a variety of issues that may set off lightheadedness or dizziness in individuals with POTS. These embody:
- Standing up too shortly
- Exercising
- Being in a scorching or humid surroundings
- Dehydration
- Consuming a big meal
- Alcohol consumption
- Sure drugs
In case you are experiencing lightheadedness or dizziness, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, to assist handle your signs.
In some circumstances, treatment could also be vital to regulate the signs of POTS. There are a variety of various drugs that can be utilized to deal with POTS, together with beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and fludrocortisone.
Fainting or near-fainting
Fainting, or syncope, is a brief lack of consciousness brought on by an absence of blood movement to the mind. It’s a widespread symptom of POTS, particularly in individuals who expertise extreme drops in blood strain once they get up.
- What occurs throughout a faint: When an individual faints, their blood strain drops immediately, inflicting a lower in blood movement to the mind. This may result in a lack of consciousness, which usually lasts for just a few seconds or minutes. In some circumstances, an individual could expertise a near-fainting spell, also called presyncope, which is a sense of lightheadedness or dizziness that’s about to progress to a faint.
- Causes of fainting in POTS: The precise explanation for fainting in POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood strain and coronary heart charge, and modifications in blood quantity.
- Triggers of fainting in POTS: There are a variety of issues that may set off fainting in individuals with POTS, together with standing up too shortly, exercising, being in a scorching or humid surroundings, dehydration, consuming a big meal, alcohol consumption, and sure drugs.
- Dangers of fainting in POTS: Fainting could be a harmful symptom of POTS, particularly if it happens whereas an individual is driving or working equipment. Fainting may result in falls, which can lead to critical accidents.
In case you are experiencing fainting or near-fainting spells, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, to assist handle your signs. In some circumstances, treatment could also be vital to regulate the signs of POTS and scale back the chance of fainting.
Fatigue and mind fog
Fatigue and mind fog are widespread signs of POTS. Fatigue is a sense of maximum tiredness or lack of power. Mind fog is a time period used to explain issue with pondering, focus, and reminiscence.
There are a variety of things that may contribute to fatigue and mind fog in POTS, together with:
- Lowered blood movement to the mind: The quick coronary heart charge and drop in blood strain that happen when standing up can result in a lower in blood movement to the mind. This may trigger fatigue and issue concentrating.
- Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which may additionally result in fatigue and mind fog.
- Poor sleep: Many individuals with POTS expertise issue sleeping, which may additional contribute to fatigue and mind fog.
- Drugs: Some drugs used to deal with POTS may cause fatigue and mind fog as negative effects.
Fatigue and mind fog can have a big influence on an individual’s high quality of life. Signs can intrude with work, college, and different actions of every day residing. In some circumstances, fatigue and mind fog may result in melancholy and anxiousness.
There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle fatigue and mind fog in POTS, together with:
- Growing fluid consumption: Staying hydrated is important for individuals with POTS. Consuming loads of fluids helps to take care of blood quantity and forestall dehydration.
- Getting common train: Train will help to enhance blood movement and scale back fatigue. Nevertheless, you will need to keep away from overexertion, which may worsen signs.
- Consuming a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet that’s wealthy in fruits, greens, and complete grains will help to enhance total well being and well-being, which may scale back fatigue and mind fog.
- Getting sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is important for total well being and well-being. Individuals with POTS ought to goal for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening.
- Managing stress: Stress can worsen signs of POTS, together with fatigue and mind fog. Studying handle stress successfully will help to enhance signs.
In case you are experiencing fatigue and mind fog, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Fast heartbeat and palpitations
Fast heartbeat and palpitations are widespread signs of POTS. A speedy heartbeat is a coronary heart charge that’s quicker than 100 beats per minute. Palpitations are a sensation of a speedy, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
- What causes speedy heartbeat and palpitations in POTS? The precise explanation for speedy heartbeat and palpitations in POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls coronary heart charge, and modifications in blood quantity.
- Signs of speedy heartbeat and palpitations: Fast heartbeat and palpitations may cause a wide range of signs, together with chest ache, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. In some circumstances, speedy heartbeat and palpitations may result in extra critical issues, corresponding to stroke or coronary heart assault.
- Triggers of speedy heartbeat and palpitations: There are a variety of issues that may set off speedy heartbeat and palpitations in individuals with POTS, together with standing up, exercising, being in a scorching or humid surroundings, dehydration, consuming a big meal, alcohol consumption, and sure drugs.
- Managing speedy heartbeat and palpitations: There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle speedy heartbeat and palpitations in POTS, together with way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, and drugs.
In case you are experiencing speedy heartbeat or palpitations, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Chest ache or shortness of breath
Chest ache or shortness of breath are much less widespread signs of POTS, however they’ll happen in some individuals. Chest ache in POTS is usually a pointy, stabbing ache that happens on the left aspect of the chest. Shortness of breath in POTS is usually a sense of not with the ability to catch your breath.
- What causes chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS? The precise explanation for chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls coronary heart charge and blood strain, and modifications in blood quantity.
- Signs of chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS: Chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS may cause a wide range of signs, together with chest ache, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. In some circumstances, chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS may result in extra critical issues, corresponding to stroke or coronary heart assault.
- Triggers of chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS: There are a variety of issues that may set off chest ache or shortness of breath in individuals with POTS, together with standing up, exercising, being in a scorching or humid surroundings, dehydration, consuming a big meal, alcohol consumption, and sure drugs.
- Managing chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS: There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle chest ache or shortness of breath in POTS, together with way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, and drugs.
In case you are experiencing chest ache or shortness of breath, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are much less widespread signs of POTS, however they’ll happen in some individuals. Nausea is a sense of queasiness or an upset abdomen. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of abdomen contents via the mouth.
There are a variety of things that may contribute to nausea and vomiting in POTS, together with:
- Lowered blood movement to the abdomen: The quick coronary heart charge and drop in blood strain that happen when standing up can result in a lower in blood movement to the abdomen. This may trigger nausea and vomiting.
- Dehydration: Individuals with POTS are in danger for dehydration, which may additionally result in nausea and vomiting.
- Nervousness: Nervousness is a typical symptom of POTS, and it might additionally contribute to nausea and vomiting.
- Drugs: Some drugs used to deal with POTS may cause nausea and vomiting as negative effects.
Nausea and vomiting may be very distressing and might intrude with an individual’s capacity to carry out on a regular basis actions. In some circumstances, nausea and vomiting may result in dehydration and different issues.
There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle nausea and vomiting in POTS, together with:
- Staying hydrated: Staying hydrated is important for individuals with POTS. Consuming loads of fluids helps to take care of blood quantity and forestall dehydration, which will help to cut back nausea and vomiting.
- Consuming small, frequent meals: Consuming small, frequent meals as a substitute of huge meals will help to cut back nausea and vomiting. Additionally it is vital to keep away from meals which are excessive in fats or fiber, as these meals may be troublesome to digest and might worsen nausea and vomiting.
- Managing anxiousness: Studying handle anxiousness will help to cut back nausea and vomiting. There are a variety of leisure methods that may be useful, corresponding to deep respiratory workouts, meditation, and yoga.
- Taking treatment: In some circumstances, treatment could also be vital to regulate nausea and vomiting in POTS. There are a variety of various drugs that can be utilized to deal with nausea and vomiting, and your physician will advocate the very best treatment for you based mostly in your particular person signs.
In case you are experiencing nausea and vomiting, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Blurred imaginative and prescient
Blurred imaginative and prescient is a typical symptom of POTS. It may well happen when standing up, or it could be fixed. Blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS is usually brought on by a lower in blood movement to the mind.
- What causes blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS? Blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS is brought on by a lower in blood movement to the mind. This may happen when standing up, or it could be fixed. Whenever you get up, gravity pulls blood right down to your legs, which may trigger your blood strain to drop. This drop in blood strain can result in a lower in blood movement to the mind, which may trigger blurred imaginative and prescient.
- Signs of blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS: Blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS may cause a wide range of signs, together with issue seeing objects clearly, issue studying, and issue driving. In some circumstances, blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS may result in extra critical issues, corresponding to stroke or coronary heart assault.
- Triggers of blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS: There are a variety of issues that may set off blurred imaginative and prescient in individuals with POTS, together with standing up, exercising, being in a scorching or humid surroundings, dehydration, consuming a big meal, alcohol consumption, and sure drugs.
- Managing blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS: There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle blurred imaginative and prescient in POTS, together with way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, and drugs.
In case you are experiencing blurred imaginative and prescient, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Issue sleeping
Issue sleeping, also called insomnia, is a typical symptom of POTS. Individuals with POTS could have issue falling asleep, staying asleep, or each. Insomnia may be very distressing and might intrude with an individual’s capacity to operate throughout the day.
There are a variety of things that may contribute to issue sleeping in POTS, together with:
- Elevated coronary heart charge and palpitations: The quick coronary heart charge and palpitations that happen in POTS could make it troublesome to go to sleep and keep asleep.
- Nervousness: Nervousness is a typical symptom of POTS, and it might additionally contribute to issue sleeping.
- Drugs: Some drugs used to deal with POTS may cause insomnia as a aspect impact.
- Poor sleep hygiene: Poor sleep hygiene, corresponding to going to mattress and waking up at totally different instances every day, may contribute to issue sleeping.
There are a variety of issues that may be executed to handle issue sleeping in POTS, together with:
- Working towards good sleep hygiene: Good sleep hygiene consists of going to mattress and waking up on the similar time every day, even on weekends, creating a soothing bedtime routine, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol earlier than mattress.
- Managing anxiousness: Studying handle anxiousness will help to enhance sleep. There are a variety of leisure methods that may be useful, corresponding to deep respiratory workouts, meditation, and yoga.
- Taking treatment: In some circumstances, treatment could also be essential to deal with insomnia in POTS. There are a variety of various drugs that can be utilized to deal with insomnia, and your physician will advocate the very best treatment for you based mostly in your particular person signs.
In case you are experiencing issue sleeping, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
FAQ
Do you’ve got questions on POTS? Listed below are some incessantly requested questions and solutions:
Query 1: What’s POTS?
POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It’s a situation that impacts the best way your physique regulates blood strain and coronary heart charge whenever you get up.
Query 2: What are the signs of POTS?
Signs of POTS can embody lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, mind fog, speedy heartbeat, palpitations, chest ache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, blurred imaginative and prescient, and issue sleeping.
Query 3: What causes POTS?
The precise explanation for POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood strain and coronary heart charge, and modifications in blood quantity.
Query 4: How is POTS identified?
POTS is identified based mostly on an individual’s signs and a bodily examination. Your physician may additionally order some exams, corresponding to a tilt desk check, to verify the prognosis.
Query 5: How is POTS handled?
There isn’t a remedy for POTS, however there are remedies that may assist to handle the signs. Remedy could embody way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, and drugs.
Query 6: Can POTS be prevented?
There isn’t a positive option to forestall POTS, however there are some issues you are able to do to cut back your danger, corresponding to staying hydrated, consuming a nutritious diet, and exercising commonly.
Query 7: What’s the prognosis for POTS?
The prognosis for POTS is usually good. Most individuals with POTS are in a position to handle their signs and reside full and lively lives.
When you have some other questions on POTS, please discuss to your physician.
Along with the knowledge offered within the FAQ, listed here are some extra suggestions for managing POTS:
Ideas
Listed below are some sensible suggestions for managing POTS:
Tip 1: Keep hydrated: Consuming loads of fluids helps to take care of blood quantity and forestall dehydration, which may worsen POTS signs. Purpose to drink eight glasses of water per day, or extra if you’re exercising or sweating.
Tip 2: Keep away from triggers: There are a variety of issues that may set off POTS signs, corresponding to standing up too shortly, exercising, being in a scorching or humid surroundings, dehydration, consuming a big meal, alcohol consumption, and sure drugs. Attempt to determine your triggers and keep away from them as a lot as potential.
Tip 3: Carry out workouts to enhance blood movement: There are a variety of workouts that may assist to enhance blood movement and scale back POTS signs. These workouts embody leg raises, calf raises, and strolling. Speak to your physician or bodily therapist about which workouts are best for you.
Tip 4: Handle anxiousness: Nervousness is a typical symptom of POTS, and it might additionally worsen POTS signs. Studying handle anxiousness will help to enhance your total well being and well-being. There are a variety of leisure methods that may be useful, corresponding to deep respiratory workouts, meditation, and yoga.
Tip 5: Put on compression stockings: Compression stockings will help to enhance blood movement and scale back swelling within the legs. This will help to cut back POTS signs, corresponding to lightheadedness and dizziness.
Tip 6: Elevate the pinnacle of your mattress: Elevating the pinnacle of your mattress by 6-8 inches will help to enhance blood movement to the mind and scale back POTS signs, corresponding to morning complications and fatigue.
Tip 7: Eat a nutritious diet: Consuming a nutritious diet that’s wealthy in fruits, greens, and complete grains will help to enhance total well being and well-being, which may scale back POTS signs. Additionally it is vital to restrict your consumption of processed meals, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
Tip 8: Get sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is important for total well being and well-being. Individuals with POTS ought to goal for 7-8 hours of sleep per evening. In case you are having issue sleeping, discuss to your physician about methods to enhance your sleep.
Following the following tips will help you to handle your POTS signs and enhance your high quality of life.
In case you are experiencing signs of POTS, you will need to see a physician to rule out any underlying medical circumstances. Your physician could advocate way of life modifications or treatment to assist handle your signs.
Conclusion
POTS is a situation that may trigger a wide range of signs, together with lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, mind fog, speedy heartbeat, palpitations, chest ache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, blurred imaginative and prescient, and issue sleeping. The precise explanation for POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood strain and coronary heart charge, and modifications in blood quantity.
There isn’t a remedy for POTS, however there are remedies that may assist to handle the signs. Remedy could embody way of life modifications, corresponding to rising fluid consumption, avoiding triggers, and performing workouts to enhance blood movement, and drugs. Most individuals with POTS are in a position to handle their signs and reside full and lively lives.
If you happen to assume you could have POTS, you will need to see a physician to get a prognosis and to debate therapy choices. Early prognosis and therapy will help to enhance your signs and forestall issues.
Listed below are some key factors to recollect about POTS:
- POTS is a situation that impacts the best way your physique regulates blood strain and coronary heart charge whenever you get up.
- Signs of POTS can embody lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, mind fog, speedy heartbeat, palpitations, chest ache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, blurred imaginative and prescient, and issue sleeping.
- The precise explanation for POTS is just not totally understood, however it’s considered associated to a mixture of things, together with issues with the autonomic nervous system and modifications in blood quantity.
- There isn’t a remedy for POTS, however there are remedies that may assist to handle the signs.
- Most individuals with POTS are in a position to handle their signs and reside full and lively lives.
When you have any questions or issues about POTS, please discuss to your physician.
