(POTS) Postural Tachycardia Syndrome is a typical disorder caused by improper blood flow to body parts and it affects mostly women and the affected group falls between 15 to 50 years. Amazing as it may sound to you, a simple act like standing up from lying down can lead to its onset. Fainting or dizziness are major signs of POTS Syndrome though victims may also suffer from pain in the chest or headaches from time to time. The health experts recommend making changes in lifestyle, way of sleeping to cope with it. Making alterations in foods you eat can also be helpful. Some victims have also benefited from trying out light exercises. However, a section of victims find working out tough. Support from close ones play a major role in coping with the disorder, as it is. If trying out the common measures does not bring any improvement, the victims should seek expert medical help for benefits.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is one unique type of disorder that is characterized by change in heart rate caused by posture change from supine posture to upright pose. It is called tachycardia and this can be accompanied by other health anomalies. This is caused as exceptionally reduced volume of blood returns to your heart after you stand from a lying position. This may make you feel like fainting. In people affected by POTS Syndrome the body’s autonomic nervous system fails to work properly. The result is an unexpected blood pressure drop in heart and brain and rapid heartbeat. Thankfully, there are Postural Tachycardia Syndrome treatment options available.
Nuances of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
As a matter of fact, almost any person can get affected by this syndrome. But, in most instances, women under 50 years get affected by it more than others. It may attack women more after their menstrual periods. The real cause behind its onset is not clear. However, suspected and possible causes are Mitochondrial diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, mononucleosis and joint hypermobility syndrome. Some women also develop it after conceiving and undergoing a major surgery.
What are The Signs and Symptoms of (POTS) Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
POTS can lead to a number of symptoms in the affected lot. The major Pots symptoms are:
- Dizziness or lightheartedness
- Shaking and Sweating
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Poor sleep
- Blurred or tunnel vision
The severity of such symptoms can vary widely from one person to another. Those with severe symptoms, find it really hard to continue with daily chores. Apart from standing up, they find it hard to walk or do anything that requires movement. The symptoms can vanish and recur and this can go on for a really long time. It is a good thing that availing Postural Tachycardia Syndrome treatment is not tedious.
What is the Treatment for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome(POTS)
Basically, the (POTS) Postural Tachycardia syndrome treatment is limited to, incorporating helpful lifestyle changes and taking required medications to mitigate the major symptoms.
Enhancing Intake of Fluids:
Water intake actually helps stimulate sympathetic nervous system in the body and enhance the level of the stimulatory neurotransmitter called Norepinephrine. This eventually helps maintain blood pressure at decent levels. This has been corroborated by study findings as well and so it is recommended widely for (POTS) Postural Tachycardia syndrome treatment.
Stepping up the Intake of Salt:
POTS victims can also benefit by stepping up level of salt intake. The blood circulation can be regulated by the sodium level in the body. However, excess salt intake is not good for those affected by kidney and cardiac ailments.
Adjusting Meals:
What you eat in meals can also help you overcome Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome symptoms in a large way. The experts say dividing large meals in small parts can help people cope with it. It also helps if you can control the amount of carbohydrate taken with meals.
Avoiding Caffeine:
If you want effective POTS syndrome treatment, it is better that you avoid in taking coffee and caffeine laced beverages. Apart from coffee, any energy drinks also contain a fair amount of caffeine. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and it can actually worsen symptoms of POTS. You may think of taking green tea or such beverages that do not contain caffeine.
Sleeping Posture Correction:
The way you sleep can also be a reason for getting affected by POTS frequently. To evade its onset, you should sleep with head on a number of pillows. The head should be elevated.
Wearing Compression Stockings:
You may also try wearing quality Compression Stockings as you sleep for POTS syndrome treatment. This will help you prevent blood accumulation in lower parts of the body, especially in the legs. Wearing these stockings also ensure blood flow in lower parts of the body remains proper. However, to get the best results, ensure you get a pair of stockings that fit your legs the best. And a medical supply store staff should be able to guide you on this.
Staying Fit:
It is true that people affected by this disorder find it tedious to work out. But trying specific types of exercise can actually be beneficial for them in the long run. Examples include swimming, lower limb resistance training, rowing, jogging and even walking everyday can prove to be helpful for POTS syndrome treatment. These workouts can help pump blood back to the heart. These workouts also aid in regulating blood pressure levels. The victims can try these exercises for small duration regularly to obtain the advantages. However, if you think your body cannot cope with such exercises, avoid them and seek medical help.
Avoiding Standing for a Long Time:
Since most of the times the symptoms get triggered by standing erect, you should evade standing for a long time. This necessitates you evade standing in queues for paying bills, etc. This may not be avoidable always but you may think of getting work done in other ways. Even if you have to stand, try changing your posture or try sitting for a while to let your body balance. To ensure the day begins well, evade standing up from bed after waking up at once. Change your posture from lying down to standing up within a few postures.
Other Ways
For POTS syndrome treatment you can try out a few other methods too. You may try to adopt methods to get better sleep as it can help you cope better with this syndrome. Support from your spouse or those in family can also be of help in such situation.
Summing it Up
(POTS) Postural Tachycardia Syndrome can be quite tedious, but the affected lot can resort to numerous methods for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome treatment. The main methods include making some modifications to diet, avoiding stimulants, and making some basic and useful lifestyle changes. However, at times, seeking medical intervention can be necessary, more so when the person has any other ailment or delicate health condition. Sometimes, the doctor can advise you to take specific medications to cope better with certain symptoms of POTS.
Medically Reviewed By
Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!
