What is POTS?

POTS is a nervous system disorder.

The nervous system is responsible for all automatic actions in the human body. When someone’s nervous system doesn’t work correctly, there is often is an issue with most all of their bodily functions or systems.

 

What is happening?

If someone were to go from sitting down to standing up, gravity would push blood downward & blood vessels would tighten to keep the body upright and from fainting.

A person with POTS is unable to make or maintain that tightness. To compensate & not faint, the brain tells their heart to beat faster. Often it compensates enough & fainting does not occur but the person is unable to maintain perfusion.

The easiest way to explain it is that their body is lagging and to prevent passing out, their body overcompensates (spikes heart rate, changes blood pressure, and sometimes dump adrenaline) to keep the person from fainting.

Learn more here

General POTS Symptoms

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Memory issues

  • Light sensitivity

  • Sound sensitivity

  • Feeling light headed, dizzy, or fainting

  • Headaches

  • Insomnia

  • Burning or tingling in hands and feet

  • Chest pain

  • Heart arrhythmias / Heart racing

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Stiffness

  • Breathing issues

  • Shortness of breath

  • Racing thoughts

  • GI issues

  • Nausea

  • Issues with hunger and thirst

  • Temperature regulation issues (including fevers)

  • Hot and/or cold intolerance

  • Blood pooling

  • Tremors

Types of POTS

Neuropathic POTS

POTS that is associated with damage to the small fiber nerves (small-fiber neuropathy). These nerves regulate the constriction of the blood vessels in the limbs and abdomen.

Hyperadrenergic POTS

This is known as Adrenaline POTS, or HyperPOTS. It is associated with elevated levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine.

Learn more about HyperPOTS

Hypovolemic POTS

POTS that is associated with abnormally low levels of blood (hypovolemia)

Secondary POTS

POTS that is associated with another condition known to potentially cause autonomic neuropathy, such as diabetes, Lyme disease, or autoimmune disorders such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome.