After you recover from COVID-19, do you still feel achy and tired? Do you feel weak even when doing small things? If so, this article will be very important for you. Because, for some people, a less well-known but very uncomfortable condition can occur after COVID, which is associated with 'Long COVID'. That's what we're talking about today.
What is POTS?
Simply put, POTS is short for 'Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome'. It's a complicated name, but it's easy to understand. What happens is that when you stand up suddenly from a sitting or lying position, your heart rate suddenly increases dramatically. Typically, your heart rate increases by 30 beats per minute or more.
Imagine, our body has a system that controls things like blood pressure and heart rate without us even realizing it. We call it the autonomic nervous system. This is like our body's 'auto-pilot' system. In someone with POTS, this system doesn't work properly. So, when you change position, like when you stand up, you can't control your blood pressure and heart rate properly.
This doesn't have to happen right after you get up. Sometimes it can happen after about 10 minutes. You may feel dizzy, your eyes may turn blue, and you may even faint and fall to the ground.
Because this condition is not well-known, many people spend years trying to figure out what's wrong with them without even realizing it's a disease. Therefore, it takes time to get a proper diagnosis.
What is the connection between COVID-19 and POTS?
POTS can be triggered by a variety of factors. Major surgery or other infections can be a cause. But the most common causes are viral or bacterial infections. Now scientists believe that the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, may be a major trigger.
The reason for this is that some people who have recovered from COVID-19 show symptoms that are very similar to POTS. These may sound familiar to you.
| POTS-like symptoms that can occur after Covid |
|---|
| Increased heart rate: Even doing a little work, walking a little, or climbing a flight of stairs increases your heart rate. |
| Brain fog: It feels like nothing is going through your head, you have trouble concentrating, and you forget things easily. |
| Lightheadedness: A feeling of lightheadedness or spinning when standing. |
| Headaches: Frequent, sometimes severe headaches. |
| Nausea and Vomiting: Upset stomach, nausea. |
| Severe Chronic Fatigue: Lifeless, indescribable tiredness, no matter how much sleep or rest you get. |
Who is at higher risk of developing POTS after Covid?
In fact, this condition can occur in anyone who has had COVID . It doesn't matter whether you had severe or mild COVID.
However, scientists believe that there are some things that could increase the risk. But this is still at the research stage.
- If you have had a concussion from a hard head injury before developing COVID.
- If you have ever had dizziness or fainting .
- If you have had a history of rapid heartbeat and chest pain (palpitations) .
Additionally, our body's own immune system mistakenly attacking our own tissues (autoimmune response) seems to be linked to POTS. POTS is more common in people with autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It is thought that this type of autoimmune response may also be triggered by COVID, but more research is needed.
What can you do if you experience these symptoms?
If you suddenly feel dizzy or faint, sit or lie down immediately. This is very important. Wait a while, and when you feel better, get up very slowly and carefully. Give your body time to adjust to the position. If you need help, ask someone nearby for help.
If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. Don't forget to tell your doctor if you have (or suspect you have) COVID-19.
How do doctors diagnose this?
Doctors are still learning the full impact of 'long Covid', so before deciding whether POTS is the cause of your symptoms, they'll try to rule out other causes.
For example, COVID-19 can cause blood clots or scarring in the lungs. The symptoms are similar to POTS, but the treatments are completely different. So, your doctor will first make sure that there are no other serious conditions. Then, they may refer you to a specialist who can diagnose POTS.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the nature of your symptoms, age, and general health, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle Changes | |
| Drink plenty of water. | Drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. It is important to maintain good fluid levels in the body. |
| Adding salt to food | This should only be done on the advice of a doctor. This can help increase blood pressure. |
| Compression stockings | Reduces blood pooling in the legs and helps blood circulation. |
| Medications - only on medical advice | |
| Beta-blockers or Calcium channel blockers | To reduce heart rate. |
| Fludrocortisone or Midodrine | To help control blood pressure. |
| SSRIs and SNRIs | Nervous system function and stress. |
| Other medications | Medications and vitamins for anxiety, headaches, or nerve pain. |
In addition, research is now being conducted on treatments that target the immune system (immunotherapy).
Take-Home Message
- POTS after COVID-19 is a real condition. It's not just you, so don't panic.
- If your heart rate suddenly increases when you stand up, you feel dizzy, or you feel extremely tired, it could be a symptom of POTS.
- If you have any of these symptoms, don't panic and see a doctor immediately. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is very important.
- This condition can be controlled to a large extent with simple lifestyle changes and medications prescribed by your doctor.
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