Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by a significant increase in heart rate from lying down to standing up. This rapid heart rate often leads to common symptoms, including dizziness, rapid heartbeats, breast tenderness, weakness, and possibly digestive and memory problems. POTS disorder primarily affects young women and can severely impact daily life, making even simple outdoor activities challenging. The exact cause of POTS is unclear, but it may be linked to autoimmune conditions, viral infections, or genetic factors. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a tilt table test, and management involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and supportive therapies to help control symptoms and improve quality of life.
What Does POTS Disorder Stand For?
- Postural: Associated with how your body has been placed.
- Orthostatic: related to standing upright
- Tachycardia: Increase Higher heart rate
- Syndrome: a group of symptoms
What Are The Types of POTS Disorder?
POTS can be divided into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary POTS resolves spontaneously without other conditions. In contrast, secondary POTS occurs as a result of another medical issue that affects the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases or a chronic infection.
Types Of POTS
Neuropathic POTS
It is affected when the small fiber nerves that regulate blood flow are damaged, particularly in the limbs and stomach. These damaged nerves impair the body's ability to maintain proper circulation, leading to symptoms like dizziness and rapid heart rate.
Hyperdrenergic POTS
It is characterized by the gradual increase in norepinephrine, a stress hormone that activates the fight-or-flight response. This classification often presents symptoms such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and excessive sweating as the body reacts to the overproduction of this hormone.
Hypovolemic POTS
It is associated with low abnormal blood volume, which leads to insufficient blood flow to the heart and brain when standing. Sing may be lightheadedness, fatigue, and fainting as the body struggles to circulate a reduced blood volume effectively.
Secondary POTS
It can arise as complications of another underlying condition. Treating an underlying condition that occurs when an existing health issue, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or a chronic infection causes major POTS-like symptoms is often helpful. POTS symptoms decrease.
Who Does POTS Affect?
It can affect a lot of people, but the most often affected are young women between the ages of 15 and 50. It can also impact men who are not in this age range. POTS might develop in a separate person with no previous health problems or other conditions like autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, or after infections. It can start due to factors such as trauma, surgery, or long-term disease.
What Happens With POTS Disorder?
If any women affected by POTS disorder feel like standing up straight or lying down, their heart rate will rapidly peak, and their blood pressure may drop. This happens because the body struggles to manage blood flow and maintain stable blood pressure during position changes. As a result, people will experience dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, and a racing heart. In some cases, they may even feel faint. These symptoms can make daily challenging activities and fluctuate or differ over time.
What Are Its Symptoms of POTS Disorder?
The symptoms frequently indicate dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up. Fainting can also come due to the body's difficulty managing blood flow, leading to sudden drops in blood pressure. Many POTS people will experience "Brain Fog," which affects their thinking ability, memory power, and concentration.
Secondary symptoms include body shaking, excessive sweating, heat pulps, and a racing or pounding sensation in the chest pain, a racing or pounding sensation in the chest. These symptoms tend to worsen during physical exertion, eating, or engaging in strenuous activities, making everyday life more challenging for those living with POTS.
What Are The Causes of POTS Disorder?
The primary cause of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is an issue with the autonomic nervous system, which struggles to regulate the body’s response to changes in posture properly. However, research suggests that multiple causes contribute to its development.
Heart Rate Levels
Here are some of the most important causes:
- Certain chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer can increase the risk of POTS by affecting the autonomic nervous system.
- Harmful Substances like alcohol or heavy metals can damage the nervous system, causing autonomic impairment and possibly leading to POTS.
- Genetic links may also be one reason for POTS disorder, where a defective gene or tendency to autonomic disorders is inherited, increasing susceptibility.
- Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS) is a rare inherited disorder causing overly flexible joints and breakable tissues, leading to blood vessel abnormalities that can contribute to the development of POTS.
How To Treat POTS Disorder?
POTS cannot be cured, but treatment may reduce symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
Increasing salt and fluid intake and gentle regular exercises like cycling or swimming can improve circulation and help the body adapt to standing. Physical therapy that strengthens the lower body muscles can help improve blood flow back to the heart. Avoid long-standing, hot places and large meals to prevent worsening symptoms.
Medication Options
Self-administration of medications can be important in the treatment of post-stroke. Fludrocortisone increases blood pressure, while beta-blockers help control heart rate. Midodrine increases blood pressure. Other medications may improve general aspects of life by addressing pain, fatigue, or primary symptom-based challenges.
Compression Clothing
The most common problem with POTS is blood pooling in the leg. This can be reduced by wearing compression clothing, especially thigh-high socks. By protecting blood flow to the heart, these garments reduce the chances of fainting and convulsions. Incorporating compression garments into daily activities is a useful, non-conservative approach to symptom management.
Psychological Support
POTS may be a psychologically demanding condition; thus, getting psychological assistance is crucial. Therapy or counseling can assist in managing stress, anxiety, and sadness associated with the illness. Support groups offer a compassionate environment where people may exchange stories and coping mechanisms, promoting mental toughness and overall health.
Conclusion
The autonomic nerve system is dysregulated in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which results in a variety of symptoms. There is often a rapid heartbeat and problems with blood flow during standing, which can lead to fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Effective treatment such as neuropathic, hyperadrenergic, and hypovolemic. Increased water and salt intake, daily, mild exercise, and avoidance of stimulants are common lifestyle modifications used in treatment with compression garments and medications that may be recommended to treat symptoms. It is equally important to manage the psychological effects with counseling and support. The right approach to treatment can help POTS patients better manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
FAQ’S
What Do POTS Do To Someone?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) causes an abnormally high heart rate while standing, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, and tachycardia that can significantly affect daily activities, making her exhausted and difficult to sit up straight.
At What Age Is Pots Most Common?
POTS is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 15 and 50, with the highest incidence in young adults. It usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood but can also occur in older people, affecting both men and women.
What Is The Blood Test For Pots?
Basic blood tests for POTS disorder include measuring the stress hormone norepinephrine levels and checking blood counts. The tests also examine electrolyte levels and assess overall blood health to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
How Can I Reduce My Pots Symptoms?
Increased salt and water intake to reduce POTS symptoms, regular gentle exercise, and stimulation such as prolonged standing and hot surfaces such as elevating the head of the bed and garments can also help manage symptoms.
What Happens If Pots Goes Untreated?
If left untreated, POTS symptoms can worsen, leading to dizziness, seizures, and a significant decrease in quality of life. Untreated POTS can lead to extreme fatigue, decreased daily functioning, and negative effects on mental and physical health overall.
