Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
What is it?
Well like 140ish other diseases, it is an autoimmune disease. I was unfamiliar with this specific disease…until a close family member was diagnosed with it.
One of the more unique symptoms of this disease is the tachycardia symptoms. You might not have heard this word before - but basically think ‘cardia’…cardio. It has to do with the heart rate.
When you go from sitting or lying down to standing the heart rate can change in a rapid way which can cause dizziness or lightheaded issues. Often at rates of over 100 bpm. Normally our autonomic nervous system will manage our heart rate and blood pressure. But when you have POTS your body has a hard time managing the heart rate and blood pressure as in a normally healthy person. There is also an elevated level of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine in the body.
The blood vessels do not operate normally or efficiently - when standing up the body is not signaled to constrict to move the blood up to the brain, instead it remains in the lower half…which is what leads to the dizziness often experienced.
This is scary.
POTS, like most autoimmune diseases, will drastically impact the life of the person diagnosed. Daily tasks may be difficult or take more time.
Like many autoimmune diseases POTS has a wide range of possible symptoms. This can make it hard to get a proper diagnosis. Often times patients are made to feel like they are imagining their symptoms, or that they are a hypochondriac. But with some tenacious and persistent questioning and tests it can be diagnosed.
What causes it?
Life stressors - like being a teenager, college, marriage, having kids, jobs, etc.
Significant illness - like mononucleosis, viral pneumonia, Epstein Barr virus, Lyme disease, and hepatitis
Trauma - like a concussion
Surgery
Also if you have multiple sclerosis, Mast Cell activation disorders, or mitochondrial diseases you are at risk of developing POTS
Who Gets It?
Women (80% are female), mostly between 15-50
Those with celiac, lupus, Sjogren’s, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease or insomnia
People with mast cell disorders
Familial relation to someone with POTS
People who have had COVID
What are the symptoms?
Rapid heartrate (usually over 100 bpm) or heart palpitations
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Headaches
Nausea
Fatigue
Disrupted sleep
Brain fog
Exercise intolerance
Anxiousness
Shortness of breath
Shaking/sweating
Blurry vision
Pale face or skin discoloration
What makes it worse?
Hot humid environments - like hot baths/saunas
Standing for long periods of time - like at an amusement park or when shopping
Menstruation period
Often worse in the morning upon waking
Being sick with a cold/flu
Strenuous exercise
Dehydration
Alcohol (because it dilates the blood vessels, and especially beer as it is made with wheat)
Consuming wheat/gluten
What can you do to manage symptoms?
Move daily in a light to moderate way - walking, yoga, swimming, easy bike rides or dancing
Don't consume wheat, sugar, fried foods, dairy (unless it is raw or grass fed) - these are all inflammatory
Try the Autoimmune Protocol for 60-90 days
Consume salty snacks (nuts, pickles, olives, GF salted pretzels or chips)
Do daily mindfulness exercises and stress reduction
Physical therapy
Consume enough water (2-3 liters a day) with added minerals and sea salt (3,000-8,000 mg per day)
Eat smaller more frequent meals, and make sure to eat 1 gr of protein per pound daily
Avoid alcohol
Avoid extreme temperatures
Get adequate sleep
Wear compression hose
Be realistic about what you can do and be honest with those around you about what you need
Manage how much caffeine you consume, it can make symptoms worse for many
Take multivitamin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D daily
Get a wearable device to monitor heartrate
Other Notes
Airline travel causes dehydration and is hard on the blood vessels. It is a great idea to wear compression hose when flying and to drink plenty of fluids. Also avoid alcohol in the air as it causes dehydration. Elevate your feet when possible and get up and walk around the plane.
When traveling on a train or car make sure to stop frequently to move around, walk frequently.
Eat snack and light meals.
Autoimmune diseases are not for the weak - they are for the warriors who when we realize we CAN do a ton to positively impact our health, manage our symptoms, and regain our life we become WARRIORS! POTS like many autoimmune diseases can consume your daily life. But with careful planning, a determined mind, and time we can heal, we can restore health and live full and vibrant lives.
One of my passions is helping others realize what we eat and how we live impacts our health in every possible way…good or bad. Check out my online course where I teach you how to go full Autoimmune Protocol (or even a modified version) over a 4 week period. I am grateful every day I chose the AIP over westernized medicine and decades of prescriptions. Drugs may be needed but my goal is to utilize them as sparingly as possible.
In health and joy,
Martha
