What is POTS and How to Treat it?

Have you ever experienced sudden increases in heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue after standing up? If so, you might be close to a condition called POTS, it is a very rare condition, and it is mostly seen in women rather than men. In this blog post, we will know about what POTS is, its causes, common symptoms, and different treatment options including Ayurvedic remedies.

What is POTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that primarily affects young people, particularly women, and that has an impact on the autonomic nervous system. But everyone can experience it, regardless of age or gender. When POTS patients stand up, their heart rates increase quickly because their bodies have problems controlling their blood pressure and heart rate. In some people, POTS can go on its own but in some people, it requires certain ayurvedic medicines, diet, and lifestyle modifications. 

Causes of POTS?

The exact cause of POTS is unknown but it may be caused by a combination of factors, including:-

• Damage to the blood flow-controlling nerves: Damage to the nerves that regulate blood flow is another factor that might lead to POTS. This damage can be caused by an illness, surgery, or injury.
• Viral infection: Viral infections, such as mononucleosis, can cause POTS. Recently, there have been reports of POTS-like symptoms appearing in people who are recovering from COVID-19.
• A decrease in blood volume: Blood volume is frequently lower in POTS patients than in non-POTS patients. When you stand up, this can make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the brain, which can cause symptoms like dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Low cardiac fitness: It’s believed that if you have a weak heart and your heart muscles are not strong the blood vessels may find it difficult to pump blood to the heart, so the patient may experience POTS symptoms. 

Symptoms of POTS

The symptoms of POTS can vary from person to person, but they often include:-

• Rapid heartbeat: Heartbeat increases immediately after standing.
• Fatigue: Even after a restful night’s sleep, individuals with POTS are often tired all the time. Routine activities might be severely disrupted by constant weakness and tiredness.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: This is the most common symptom of POTS, It’s often described as feeling dizzy or as if you are about to fall out. Lightheadedness is often accompanied by dizziness.
• Palpitation or irregular heartbeat: There may be feelings of skipped beats or erratic heart rhythms.
• Nausea: This is a common POTS symptom, particularly after prolonged periods of standing.
• Blurred vision: This is also a common POTS symptom, particularly after a long period of standing.

The other most common symptoms include:-

• Vomiting 
• Increased heart rate
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms of Post-COVID-19 POTS

After recovering from COVID-19, there have been cases of people with the latest pandemic suffering symptoms similar to POTS. These symptoms include a fast heart rate, lightheadedness, fatigue, and an inability to activity. The symptoms of POTS after COVID-19 are similar to the symptoms of POTS in general, but they may be more severe. Researchers have found that people with COVID-19 have a chance of getting POTS and related symptoms and these symptoms may vary from person to person. 

Treatment Options for POTS

While there is no known conventional treatment for POTS, there are ways to control the symptoms. Combining lifestyle modifications with ayurvedic medications and diet is the most effective remedy to manage POTS.

Lifestyle Changes that Help to Manage POTS Symptoms

• Drink plenty of fluids which help to keep your blood volume up and lead to decreased symptoms.
• Eat a healthy diet that helps to stabilize your blood sugar level and improve your symptoms.
• Managing stress by doing meditation, exercise, yoga, and spending time with nature help to relieve symptoms.
• Avoiding food that is packed with artificial flavors and colors. Packaged foods should be kept at bay and always preferred for freshly prepared meals.

Ayurvedic Treatment of POTS

Ayurvedic medicine is a traditional medical system that originates in India. The three primary energies of the body, or doshas, are the focus of Ayurvedic therapy for POTS. Vata, pitta, and kapha are the three doshas and these ayurvedic medicines work on these doshas and help patients to recover from the disease. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Brahmi, and Shatavari, are thought to help relieve stress, strengthen cardiac muscles, increase cardiac fitness, boost immunity to fight infections, and support general well-being. These are available as single-potent herbs and may be included in some Ayurvedic formulations.

How Does Yoga Help in POTS? 

Yoga offers holistic development of both mind and body. Practicing yoga asanas like Balasana, Malasana, and Viparita Karani regularly helps in improving dizziness, lightheadedness, and irregular heartbeats. 

Does Pranayama Help My POTS? 

Pranayama, controlled breathing, helps in reducing the effect of POTS on your body and also improves the capacity of the lungs and heart with proper breathing and enhanced blood supply to the heart. Slow and controlled breathing helps decrease the fight/flight response (sympathetic nervous system) and activates the rest and digest response (parasympathetic nervous system). 

The Bottom Line

Ayurveda offers holistic treatment for POTS by improving the symptoms and enhancing the overall quality of life. POTS can become severe if left untreated and conventional medicines do not eliminate the root cause of the disease.

For a precise diagnosis and a customized treatment plan, book an online consultation with Dr. Sahil Gupta if you think you might have POTS or encounter symptoms that are similar and get customized Ayurvedic treatment from the experienced professional who has around 15+ years of expertise and has treated more than 50000 patients from all around the world.