This is the third edition,
What is POTS ? (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Have you ever fainted with no explanation, suffered from migraine headaches or been told by a doctor that you may have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome? If the answer to any of the above is yes, you may in fact have POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
POTS is a chronic illness. It is defined as a form of Dysautonomia or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls all of our body’s involuntary actions such as but not limited to: respiration, blood pressure, digestion, body temperature regulation, etc.. As such, when one has a breakdown of the autonomic nervous system, multiple systems are affected and multiple symptoms are present. Symptoms of POTS can include the following: tachycardia, orthostatic intolerance, low blood pressure upon standing, fainting or near fainting, fatigue, general weakness, visual disturbances, insomnia, nausea, joint pain (especially lower back, neck and wrists) inability to regulate one’s body temperature, cold hands and feet, chest pains, etc… Symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms wax and wane and can change at any minute. Each person, who has POTS has a unique presentation; and therefore can have one to all of the aforementioned symptoms.
Dr. Blair Grubb, a clinical cardiac electrophysiology and world famous POTS expert, says POTS patients use about three times more energy to stand than that of a healthy person “It is as if they are running in place all the time.” Activities such as showering, climbing stairs and eating meals can further magnify symptoms. The quality of life of a patient with POTS is analogous to a person who suffers from congestive heart failure.
People who have POTS often experience-exacerbated symptoms when going from a supine position to an upright position A person is said to have POTS if their heart rate increases by 30 beats per minute or more when going from a sitting to standing position or a heart rate of or exceeding 120 beats per minute; (BPM) thus POTS is measurable and quantifiable. Some patients also experience a drop in blood pressure by 20 BPM or more when going from a supine to an upright position. (Within 10 minutes of standing) Many others will actually have an increase in blood pressure
POTS is often triggered by Strep, mononucleosis, trauma, diabetes, thyroid condition, onset of puberty, pregnancy, etc. Mayo Clinic believes that POTS is more common than once believed. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people have some form of this illness. POTS can be triggered at any age but the most common age typically coincides with the onset of puberty and is often followed by a large growth spurt.
Many people who have POTS search for years before a doctor who is familiar with the illness, diagnoses them properly. By the time the patient gets the diagnosis they are often frustrated, depressed and have given up on the medical system. Patients and their caregivers alike are relieved to finally have a real diagnosis but are now left to ride the Waves of Dysautonomia on their own
The intention of this book is to serve as a lifeline for all POTS sufferers. No patient with Dysautonomia should have to ride the turbulent waves of Dysautonomia alone, for in numbers there is enormous support and strength. The patient who suffers from Dysautonomia is not alone; it is irrefutable that together WE WILL STAND!!!!!!!!