Do you feel dizzy when you stand up? Does your heart beat fast? This could be POTS! (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Imagine that you are sitting comfortably in a chair and suddenly stand up. Or you are lying down in bed and suddenly you feel dizzy, your vision is blurry, and your heart is beating very fast. Sometimes we think this is just something normal, something that happens to the body due to exertion, but it is not always the case. This may be a symptom of a special condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) . Don't worry, we will talk about this simply, from A to Z.

Simply put, what is POTS?

Don't be alarmed by this long name. Let's break it down word by word. Then it will be very easy to understand.

• Postural: This refers to something related to your body position.
• Orthostatic: This means something related to standing upright.
• Tachycardia: You've probably heard of this. This refers to a rapid heartbeat, meaning the heart beats more than 100 times per minute.
• Syndrome: This refers to a group of symptoms that occur together.

So, simply put, POTS is a collection of symptoms in which your heart rate increases abnormally when you change positions, especially when you stand up from lying down or sitting.

Normally, our bodies have a very amazing automatic system. It's called the Autonomic Nervous System . It's like a computer system in our bodies. Whether we're standing, sitting, or sleeping, it adjusts things like blood flow, heart rate, and blood pressure as needed. We don't even have to think about it.

But there's a little problem with this computer system in a person with POTS. When you stand up, the system can't properly pump the blood that collects in your legs due to gravity back to your heart and brain. As if to compensate, the body only makes the heart beat faster. That's why you get dizzy, your chest hurts, and you feel tired.

Who is most likely to develop this condition?

Although POTS can affect anyone, research has found that it is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 50. However, men can also develop the condition.

This condition is usually more likely to occur after a certain event. For example:

• After a major illness: After recovering from a severe viral fever, such as dengue fever or mononucleosis.
• After pregnancy: Some mothers may develop this condition after having a baby.
• After an accident to the body: After an accident, such as a head injury.
• After major surgery.

Additionally, people with autoimmune conditions , which are diseases in which the body's immune system attacks its own body (e.g., Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, celiac disease), are also at slightly higher risk of developing POTS.

What are the main symptoms of POTS?

The symptoms of POTS can vary greatly from person to person. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. These symptoms can appear suddenly, or they can gradually increase over time.

You can get a good idea about this by looking at the table below.

Situations where symptoms may worsen

• When in a hot environment: when bathing in hot water, when in the sun.
• When standing in one place for a long time: when standing on the bus, when waiting in line.
• When engaging in excessive exercise.
• When you are very sick: when you have a cold or a fever.
• For the days when women have their menstruation.

How do you know exactly if you have POTS?

If you have these symptoms, the most important thing you should do is see a good doctor. Don't assume that you have this disease. These symptoms can also occur in other medical conditions.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and then examine you. If you suspect you have POTS, the main test to confirm it is the tilt table test .

In this, you are made to lie down on a special bed and secured with straps to keep you from moving. After a while, the bed is slowly turned to a standing position. During this time, your heart rate and blood pressure are continuously measured with machines. In a person with POTS, when the bed is straightened, the heart rate increases much more than a certain value.

In addition, the doctor may decide to perform several other tests, such as blood and urine tests and neurological tests, to find the cause.

What are the treatments and management methods for this?

There is no cure for POTS yet. But there are many ways to manage the symptoms and live a better life. Treatment varies from person to person, as not everyone has the same symptoms.

The main focus is on these three points:

1. Diet and nutrition

2. Exercise and physical activity

3. Medication in some cases

1. Diet and nutrition

This is a very important part of POTS management.

• Salt and water: For those with low blood volume, doctors advise drinking more salt and water . It is important to drink about 2-2.5 liters of water per day. Salt is not just the salt you put on food. You can eat healthy things with salt. (Example: salt, lime, pickles, olives, salted nuts, soy sauce). But this is something you should talk to your doctor about and follow his advice.
• Meals: When you eat a large meal at once, a lot of blood is directed to your stomach to digest it. This can worsen POTS symptoms. Therefore, it is better to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.
• A balanced diet: Eating foods rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates can help control blood sugar spikes and reduce symptoms.

2. Exercise and physical activity

You may be thinking, "Oh, how can I exercise if I have trouble getting up?" But exercise is one of the best treatments for POTS. But it has to be done in a proper way.

• Exercises like swimming, using a rowing machine, and riding a recumbent bicycle are great because you're not standing when you do these.
• Isometric exercises: These are exercises that involve tensing and relaxing muscles without moving the joints of the body. For example, while lying in bed, tensing and relaxing the muscles of the legs for a few seconds. Doing these before getting out of bed in the morning can help prepare the body.
• Change positions slowly: When getting out of bed, instead of getting up suddenly, sit in bed for a few minutes first. Then get up slowly and stay in one place for a while before walking. This is very important to give your body time to adjust to the new position.

3. Medicines (medicines)

There is no specific medication approved for POTS. However, doctors may prescribe certain medications to help control some of the symptoms. For example, medications that help the body retain salt and water, medications that control the heart rate (beta-blockers), and medications that help constrict blood vessels.

Do not use these medications on your own. These should only be prescribed by your doctor after carefully examining your condition.

Other things to consider when living with POTS

• Good sleep: Sleep is essential for everyone. It's even more important for someone with POTS. Raising the head of your bed about 6 inches can help reduce symptoms in the morning. To do this, place two bricks under the legs of your bed to make the entire bed slightly tilted.
• Temperature control: High heat can worsen symptoms. So, limit your exposure to the sun and hot baths on hot days. It's best to stay in an air-conditioned place if possible.
• Compression Stockings: These are special socks that are worn on the legs. They help to compress the veins in the legs and pump blood upward. These can be used as directed by your doctor.
• Mental health: Living with a long-term illness can be stressful. Talk to your family and friends about this. If necessary, seeking counseling can be very helpful.

POTS is not a life-threatening condition. That means it won't shorten your lifespan. But it can be a major disruption to your daily life. But with proper management and lifestyle changes, many people can control their symptoms and live happily.

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