For those who’re studying this, you are most likely somebody who’s fighting POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I understand how irritating and debilitating this situation could be. I have been there. For years, I struggled with POTS signs like dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. I could not get up for various minutes with out feeling like I used to be going to faint. My life was placed on maintain as I attempted to handle my signs and discover a treatment.
After years of struggling, I lastly discovered a method to treatment my POTS. It wasn’t straightforward, but it surely was price it. I am now dwelling a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs. On this article, I’ll share my story with you and offer you the knowledge you have to treatment your individual POTS.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for POTS. What works for one particular person might not work for an additional. Nevertheless, there are a selection of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs and ultimately treatment your POTS. Within the subsequent part, I will focus on a few of the handiest therapies for POTS.
How I Cured My POTS
Listed here are 8 vital factors about how I cured my POTS:
- Gradual train
- Compression stockings
- Hydration
- Salt consumption
- Nutritious diet
- Stress administration
- Remedy
- Way of life adjustments
These are only a few of the issues that helped me treatment my POTS. For those who’re fighting POTS, I encourage you to speak to your physician and take a look at a few of these therapies. With the suitable remedy, you may stay a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs.
Gradual train
One of the crucial vital issues I did to treatment my POTS was to start out a gradual train program. Train helps to strengthen the center and enhance circulation, which might scale back POTS signs. Nevertheless, it is vital to start out slowly and progressively enhance the depth and period of your exercises over time.
Once I first began exercising, I might solely stroll for a couple of minutes at a time with out feeling dizzy or lightheaded. However I saved at it, and slowly however absolutely, I used to be capable of enhance the period of time I might train with out signs. I additionally began including different actions to my routine, comparable to swimming, biking, and yoga.
It is vital to hearken to your physique and relaxation when you have to. For those who begin to really feel dizzy or lightheaded, cease exercising and sit or lie down till the signs go. Do not push your self too arduous, or you may make your POTS signs worse.
For those who’re new to train, it is a good suggestion to speak to your physician earlier than beginning a brand new program. They can assist you create an train plan that’s protected and efficient for you.
Listed here are some ideas for beginning a gradual train program when you have POTS:
- Begin slowly and progressively enhance the depth and period of your exercises over time.
- Select actions that you just take pleasure in and that do not make your signs worse.
- Take heed to your physique and relaxation when you have to.
- Drink loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
- Put on compression stockings to assist enhance circulation.
- Speak to your physician earlier than beginning a brand new train program.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are one other useful remedy for POTS. They assist to enhance circulation within the legs and scale back pooling of blood, which can assist to scale back POTS signs comparable to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
- Graduated compression: Compression stockings which can be graduated, which means they’re tighter on the ankle and looser on the prime, are handiest for treating POTS.
20-30 mmHg: Compression stockings with a stress of 20-30 mmHg are advisable for most individuals with POTS.
Knee-high or thigh-high: Knee-high or thigh-high compression stockings are sometimes simpler than calf-length stockings.
Put on them each day: Compression stockings needs to be worn each day, from morning till night. You might must put on them for a number of weeks and even months earlier than you begin to see a big enchancment in your signs.
For those who’re contemplating utilizing compression stockings to deal with your POTS, discuss to your physician first. They can assist you discover the suitable sort and measurement of stockings for you.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important for everybody, but it surely’s particularly vital for folks with POTS. Dehydration can worsen POTS signs, comparable to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. It could actually additionally result in a lower in blood quantity, which might make POTS signs worse.
To remain hydrated, it is best to drink loads of fluids all through the day. Water is your best option, however it’s also possible to drink different fluids, comparable to sports activities drinks, fruit juice, and natural tea. Keep away from sugary drinks, comparable to soda and power drinks, as these can dehydrate you.
How a lot fluid you have to drink every day is determined by plenty of elements, comparable to your exercise degree, local weather, and general well being. Nevertheless, a superb rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water per day.
For those who’re exercising, you might must drink extra fluids. You also needs to drink extra fluids in the event you’re in a scorching local weather or when you have a fever.
Listed here are some ideas for staying hydrated:
- Drink a glass of water very first thing within the morning.
- Carry a water bottle with you all through the day and sip on it usually.
- Drink fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
- Select water or different wholesome fluids over sugary drinks.
- Eat vegatables and fruits which can be excessive in water content material, comparable to watermelon, cucumber, and celery.
Salt consumption
Individuals with POTS typically have low blood quantity, which might worsen their signs. Rising salt consumption can assist to extend blood quantity and enhance signs.
- Goal for two,300-3,000 mg of sodium per day: That is the advisable each day consumption of sodium for adults. Nevertheless, folks with POTS might must devour extra salt than this to enhance their signs.
Add salt to your meals: You may add salt to your meals on the desk or whereas cooking. You can too use salty condiments, comparable to soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickles.
Drink salty fluids: You can too enhance your salt consumption by consuming salty fluids, comparable to sports activities drinks, coconut water, and broth.
Watch out to not overdo it: An excessive amount of salt could be dangerous, so it is vital to speak to your physician about how a lot salt try to be consuming.
For those who’re contemplating rising your salt consumption, discuss to your physician first. They can assist you identify how a lot salt is best for you.
Nutritious diet
Consuming a nutritious diet is vital for everybody, but it surely’s particularly vital for folks with POTS. Consuming a nutritious diet can assist to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.
Listed here are some ideas for consuming a nutritious diet when you have POTS:
- Eat loads of vegatables and fruits: Fruit and veggies are filled with nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can assist to enhance your general well being and well-being. They’ll additionally assist to scale back irritation, which can play a task in POTS.
- Select complete grains over refined grains: Complete grains are a superb supply of fiber, which can assist to maintain you feeling full and glad. They’ll additionally assist to manage blood sugar ranges, which is vital for folks with POTS.
- Restrict processed meals: Processed meals are sometimes excessive in unhealthy fat, sodium, and sugar. These meals can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select contemporary, complete meals over processed meals each time potential.
- Select lean protein sources: Lean protein sources, comparable to fish, hen, beans, and tofu, can assist to maintain you feeling full and glad. They’ll additionally assist to take care of muscle mass, which is vital for folks with POTS.
- Restrict unhealthy fat: Unhealthy fat, comparable to saturated and trans fat, can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select wholesome fat, comparable to olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds, as an alternative.
Consuming a nutritious diet can assist to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Speak to your physician or a registered dietitian for extra data on find out how to eat a nutritious diet for POTS.
Stress administration
Stress could be a main set off for POTS signs. While you’re pressured, your physique releases hormones that may trigger your coronary heart fee and blood stress to extend and your blood vessels to constrict. This could result in dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, that are all frequent signs of POTS.
Managing stress is a crucial a part of managing POTS. There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle stress, together with:
- Train: Train is an effective way to scale back stress and enhance your general well being and well-being. While you train, your physique releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting results.
- Leisure strategies: Leisure strategies, comparable to deep respiration, yoga, and meditation, can assist to calm your thoughts and physique and scale back stress. There are a lot of completely different leisure strategies out there, so discover one which works for you and apply it usually.
- Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature has been proven to scale back stress and enhance temper. Take a while every day to go for a stroll within the park, sit in your yard, or just take a look at a tree.
- Speak to somebody: For those who’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, discuss to a buddy, member of the family, therapist, or different trusted particular person. Speaking about your issues can assist you to really feel higher and develop methods for dealing with stress.
Managing stress is a crucial a part of managing POTS. By utilizing the information above, you may scale back stress and enhance your general well being and well-being.
Remedy
Remedy could be useful for some folks with POTS. Nevertheless, it is vital to notice that remedy will not be a treatment for POTS. It could actually solely assist to handle the signs.
- Fludrocortisone: Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that helps to extend blood quantity and blood stress. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve low blood stress.
Midodrine: Midodrine is a vasoconstrictor that helps to extend blood stress. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart fee and low blood stress.
Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are medicines that gradual the center fee. They’re typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart fee.
Ivabradine: Ivabradine is a drugs that particularly targets the center fee. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart fee and can’t tolerate beta-blockers.
For those who’re contemplating taking remedy for POTS, discuss to your physician concerning the dangers and advantages. Remedy could be useful for managing POTS signs, but it surely’s vital to search out the suitable remedy and dosage for you.
Way of life adjustments
Along with medical therapies, there are a selection of life-style adjustments you may make to assist handle your POTS signs. These adjustments might embody:
- Keep away from triggers: If you already know what triggers your POTS signs, attempt to keep away from these triggers as a lot as potential. Frequent triggers embody warmth, standing for lengthy intervals of time, and dehydration.
- Tempo your self: POTS could make it troublesome to do on a regular basis actions. It is vital to tempo your self and take breaks once you want them. Do not attempt to do an excessive amount of too quickly.
- Elevate your legs: Elevating your legs can assist to enhance blood circulation and scale back POTS signs. Attempt to elevate your legs for at the least half-hour every day, particularly after meals.
- Put on compression clothes: Compression clothes can assist to enhance blood circulation and scale back swelling within the legs. Carrying compression clothes might assist to scale back POTS signs, comparable to dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Get sufficient sleep: While you’re sleep-deprived, you are extra more likely to expertise POTS signs. Goal for 7-8 hours of sleep every night time.
Making these life-style adjustments can assist to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Speak to your physician for extra data on find out how to make life-style adjustments which can be best for you.
FAQ
Listed here are some incessantly requested questions on find out how to treatment POTS:
Query 1: What’s the handiest remedy for POTS?
Reply 1: There isn’t a one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. The best remedy will differ relying on the person affected person. Nevertheless, some frequent therapies embody gradual train, compression stockings, hydration, salt consumption, nutritious diet, stress administration, remedy, and life-style adjustments.
Query 2: Can POTS be cured?
Reply 2: POTS is a continual situation, however it may be managed. With the suitable remedy, folks with POTS can stay full and energetic lives. Nevertheless, it is vital to notice that there isn’t a treatment for POTS.
Query 3: What are some issues I can do to handle my POTS signs?
Reply 3: There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle your POTS signs, together with avoiding triggers, pacing your self, elevating your legs, sporting compression clothes, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress.
Query 4: What are some frequent triggers for POTS signs?
Reply 4: Frequent triggers for POTS signs embody warmth, standing for lengthy intervals of time, dehydration, and stress. Figuring out and avoiding your triggers can assist to scale back your signs.
Query 5: What sort of train is finest for folks with POTS?
Reply 5: Gradual train is the very best sort of train for folks with POTS. Begin slowly and progressively enhance the depth and period of your exercises over time. Select actions that you just take pleasure in and that do not make your signs worse.
Query 6: What’s the finest weight loss plan for folks with POTS?
Reply 6: A nutritious diet is vital for everybody, but it surely’s particularly vital for folks with POTS. Eat loads of vegatables and fruits, complete grains, and lean protein. Restrict processed meals, unhealthy fat, and sugary drinks.
Query 7: What sort of remedy is used to deal with POTS?
Reply 7: There are a selection of medicines that can be utilized to deal with POTS, together with fludrocortisone, midodrine, beta-blockers, and ivabradine. The kind of remedy that’s finest for you’ll rely in your particular person signs.
Query 8: What are some life-style adjustments I could make to assist handle my POTS?
Reply 8: There are a selection of life-style adjustments you may make to assist handle your POTS, together with getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, and avoiding triggers. Making these adjustments can assist to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.
Closing Paragraph: In case you have POTS, it is vital to speak to your physician about the very best remedy choices for you. With the suitable remedy, you may stay a full and energetic life.
Along with the knowledge supplied on this FAQ, listed here are some extra ideas which will aid you handle your POTS:
Ideas
Listed here are some extra ideas which will aid you handle your POTS:
Tip 1: Be a part of a assist group: There are a selection of assist teams out there for folks with POTS. These teams can offer you data, assist, and encouragement. Speaking to different individuals who perceive what you are going by way of could be very useful.
Tip 2: Advocate for your self: POTS is a comparatively uncommon situation, so it is vital to advocate for your self and just be sure you’re getting the care you want. For those who’re not glad with the care you are receiving, do not be afraid to get a second opinion or see a specialist.
Tip 3: Be affected person: Managing POTS takes effort and time. Do not get discouraged in the event you do not see outcomes instantly. Maintain at it, and you’ll ultimately begin to really feel higher.
Tip 4: Do not quit: POTS could be a difficult situation, but it surely’s vital to do not forget that you are not alone. There are a lot of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and stay full and energetic lives. With the suitable remedy and assist, you may too.
Closing Paragraph: Managing POTS could be difficult, but it surely’s positively potential. By following the information on this article, you may enhance your signs and stay a full and energetic life.
For those who’re fighting POTS, do not quit. There’s hope. With the suitable remedy and assist, you may handle your signs and stay a full and energetic life.
Conclusion
POTS is a difficult situation, however it may be managed. With the suitable remedy and assist, folks with POTS can stay full and energetic lives.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. The best remedy will differ relying on the person affected person. Nevertheless, there are a selection of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs, together with:
- Gradual train
- Compression stockings
- Hydration
- Salt consumption
- Nutritious diet
- Stress administration
- Remedy
- Way of life adjustments
For those who’re fighting POTS, do not quit. Speak to your physician about the very best remedy choices for you. With the suitable remedy, you may stay a full and energetic life.
Closing Message: Keep in mind, you are not alone. There are a lot of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and stay full and energetic lives. With the suitable remedy and assist, you may too.