So..What exactly is POTS??
Well..
Postural - The position of the body
Orthostatic - Standing up
Tachycardia - Increased heart rate
Syndrome - Combination of symptoms
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. and is defined as an increase in heart rate of over 30 beats per minute when standing upright with or without a postural fall in blood pressure many with POTS have an increase in blood pressure upon standing but a delayed drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension); this is often made worse by even modest physical exertion. It is a relatively new disorder, which is slowly being recognized by the medical profession. It is often underappreciated by physicians, which can impact on the patient’s quality of life through misdiagnosis or being informed symptoms are “all in their head”. Historically, many patients with POTS were given a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, anxiety or panic disorder.Some patients are so incapacitated by their symptoms that they are often misdiagnosed as having chronic anxiety or panic disorder or, worse being told that it is all "in their head".
The Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls everything we do not have to think about. Examples of this are heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing and ALL bodily functions.
Normally we can adjust to changes around us very quickly. However, a person whose ANS isn't working correctly does not respond normally. It may take them longer to adjust or they may do just the opposite of what is expected. This can also start a cycle of trying to re-adjust to a given situation ‚for example, the heart rate rises then drops, then rises again. Their bodies are not working like normal people's are, blood goes to the wrong place at the wrong time and all organs are affected.
bodily functions such as:
• heart rate and blood pressure
• digestion
• bladder control
• pupil constriction
• perspiration
• maintain homeostasis.
• Stress response
Symptoms include;
Anyone at any age can develop POTS, but the majority of individuals affected (between 75 and 80 percent) are women between the ages of 15 to 50 years of age. The majority are young females. It is thought to be developed in teenagers through rapid growth in puberty and once this settles they usually grow out of this. Others develop POTS through major surgery and serious viral infections.
Also people who have EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) develop POTS
POTS has been linked to cause other health problems such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Most people with POTS grow out of it when they settle in growing and puberty but others may have it for life. It is a very debilitating illness and people with POTS have to make huge life style changes to be able to do things. It depends on each person, some people have milder symptoms but others are bed bound because of it.
It isn’t very well known about in the medical profession and is often underappreciated by a lot of physicians. A lot of POTS sufferers have had to wait several years before getting a diagnosis and in those years they get passed around and no-one knows what to do with them. Also a lot of medicals treating POTS patients are ignorant and tell them that it is all “in your head”
Even with the diagnosis of POTS it is still extremely frustrating as when you meet people you are forever explaining yourself and explaining what POTS is. Even every doctor you see you have to explain what it is and how it affects you, you have to tell them what to do with you as they have no idea..this is mainly in emergency departments.
Having awareness for this is needed because it will benefit those suffering and their quality of life would change if doctors were to be educated in this.
In POTS the nerves that regulate blood flow are out of balance so the blood does not go to the right place at the right time.
Also blood vessels are too relaxed so this is why extra fluids are needed to fill the vessels to allow the blood to flow properly but drinking fluid alone is not enough, increased salt intake is essential because this holds the fluid in the vessels. In POTS our bodies cannot retain fluids and salt, we are recommended to increase both.
InPOTS when standing up our blood pools to our legs and our heart rate goes very high to try and pump blood around quicker which results in lack of oxygen to the brain and this causes us to either get chronic dizziness, fainting or seizures. – To try and avoid this we are told to wear support stockings to try and stop pooling. And to stand very slowly.
Postural - The position of the body
Orthostatic - Standing up
Tachycardia - Increased heart rate
Syndrome - Combination of symptoms
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. and is defined as an increase in heart rate of over 30 beats per minute when standing upright with or without a postural fall in blood pressure many with POTS have an increase in blood pressure upon standing but a delayed drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension); this is often made worse by even modest physical exertion. It is a relatively new disorder, which is slowly being recognized by the medical profession. It is often underappreciated by physicians, which can impact on the patient’s quality of life through misdiagnosis or being informed symptoms are “all in their head”. Historically, many patients with POTS were given a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, anxiety or panic disorder.Some patients are so incapacitated by their symptoms that they are often misdiagnosed as having chronic anxiety or panic disorder or, worse being told that it is all "in their head".
The Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls everything we do not have to think about. Examples of this are heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing and ALL bodily functions.
Normally we can adjust to changes around us very quickly. However, a person whose ANS isn't working correctly does not respond normally. It may take them longer to adjust or they may do just the opposite of what is expected. This can also start a cycle of trying to re-adjust to a given situation ‚for example, the heart rate rises then drops, then rises again. Their bodies are not working like normal people's are, blood goes to the wrong place at the wrong time and all organs are affected.
bodily functions such as:
• heart rate and blood pressure
• digestion
• bladder control
• pupil constriction
• perspiration
• maintain homeostasis.
• Stress response
Symptoms include;
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Chronic dizziness
- Light headedness
- Insomnia
- Palpitations
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Pooling or discolouration of the ankles, feet,legs, arms and hands
- Chest pain
- Loss of concentration
- Migrainous headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Coldness of legs and fingers
- Body temperature regulation issues
- Fainting
- Fits
- Nausea
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- bloating
- stomach pains
- head aches
- Restless leg syndrome
- Muscle aches and pains
- sleep disturbance
- excessive or loss of sweating
- bladder problems
- exercise intolerance
- weakness
- Weight loss/gain
Anyone at any age can develop POTS, but the majority of individuals affected (between 75 and 80 percent) are women between the ages of 15 to 50 years of age. The majority are young females. It is thought to be developed in teenagers through rapid growth in puberty and once this settles they usually grow out of this. Others develop POTS through major surgery and serious viral infections.
Also people who have EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) develop POTS
POTS has been linked to cause other health problems such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Most people with POTS grow out of it when they settle in growing and puberty but others may have it for life. It is a very debilitating illness and people with POTS have to make huge life style changes to be able to do things. It depends on each person, some people have milder symptoms but others are bed bound because of it.
It isn’t very well known about in the medical profession and is often underappreciated by a lot of physicians. A lot of POTS sufferers have had to wait several years before getting a diagnosis and in those years they get passed around and no-one knows what to do with them. Also a lot of medicals treating POTS patients are ignorant and tell them that it is all “in your head”
Even with the diagnosis of POTS it is still extremely frustrating as when you meet people you are forever explaining yourself and explaining what POTS is. Even every doctor you see you have to explain what it is and how it affects you, you have to tell them what to do with you as they have no idea..this is mainly in emergency departments.
Having awareness for this is needed because it will benefit those suffering and their quality of life would change if doctors were to be educated in this.
In POTS the nerves that regulate blood flow are out of balance so the blood does not go to the right place at the right time.
Also blood vessels are too relaxed so this is why extra fluids are needed to fill the vessels to allow the blood to flow properly but drinking fluid alone is not enough, increased salt intake is essential because this holds the fluid in the vessels. In POTS our bodies cannot retain fluids and salt, we are recommended to increase both.
InPOTS when standing up our blood pools to our legs and our heart rate goes very high to try and pump blood around quicker which results in lack of oxygen to the brain and this causes us to either get chronic dizziness, fainting or seizures. – To try and avoid this we are told to wear support stockings to try and stop pooling. And to stand very slowly.