Understanding and Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that presents significant challenges and requires daily adjustments and resilience. This comprehensive article explores POTS from both medical and personal perspectives, aiming to provide a detailed understanding and practical insights into living with this complex condition.
What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
POTS is a form of dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. It is characterized by an excessive heart rate increase upon standing. Unlike orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure does not significantly drop.
Symptoms of POTS
The symptoms of POTS vary but typically include:
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Syncope: Fainting, particularly with prolonged standing or stress.
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Brain fog: Difficulty with cognitive tasks.