In case you’re studying this, you are in all probability somebody who’s scuffling with POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I understand how irritating and debilitating this situation might be. I have been there. For years, I struggled with POTS signs like dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. I could not arise for quite a lot of 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 remedy.
After years of struggling, I lastly discovered a strategy to remedy my POTS. It wasn’t straightforward, but it surely was price it. I am now residing a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs. On this article, I will share my story with you and give you the data you must remedy your individual POTS.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. What works for one particular person might not work for an additional. Nonetheless, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs and ultimately remedy your POTS. Within the subsequent part, I am going to talk about a number of the only remedies for POTS.
How I Cured My POTS
Listed below are 8 essential factors about how I cured my POTS:
- Gradual train
- Compression stockings
- Hydration
- Salt consumption
- Nutritious diet
- Stress administration
- Medicine
- Life-style adjustments
These are just some of the issues that helped me remedy my POTS. In case you’re scuffling with POTS, I encourage you to speak to your physician and check out a few of these remedies. With the correct remedy, you’ll be able to reside a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs.
Gradual train
Probably the most essential issues I did to remedy my POTS was to begin a gradual train program. Train helps to strengthen the center and enhance circulation, which may cut back POTS signs. Nonetheless, it is essential to begin slowly and steadily enhance the depth and length of your exercises over time.
After I first began exercising, I may solely stroll for a couple of minutes at a time with out feeling dizzy or lightheaded. However I saved at it, and slowly however certainly, I used to be capable of enhance the period of time I may train with out signs. I additionally began including different actions to my routine, similar to swimming, biking, and yoga.
It is essential to take heed to your physique and relaxation when you must. In case you begin to really feel dizzy or lightheaded, cease exercising and sit or lie down till the signs cross. Do not push your self too laborious, or you might make your POTS signs worse.
In case you’re new to train, it is a good suggestion to speak to your physician earlier than beginning a brand new program. They may help you create an train plan that’s protected and efficient for you.
Listed below are some suggestions for beginning a gradual train program you probably have POTS:
- Begin slowly and steadily enhance the depth and length of your exercises over time.
- Select actions that you just get pleasure from and that do not make your signs worse.
- Take heed to your physique and relaxation when you must.
- Drink loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
- Put on compression stockings to assist enhance circulation.
- Discuss 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 cut back pooling of blood, which may help to scale back POTS signs similar 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 only for treating POTS.
20-30 mmHg: Compression stockings with a stress of 20-30 mmHg are beneficial for most individuals with POTS.
Knee-high or thigh-high: Knee-high or thigh-high compression stockings are usually simpler than calf-length stockings.
Put on them day by day: Compression stockings needs to be worn day by day, from morning till night. You might have to put on them for a number of weeks and even months earlier than you begin to see a big enchancment in your signs.
In case you’re contemplating utilizing compression stockings to deal with your POTS, discuss to your physician first. They may help you discover the correct sort and measurement of stockings for you.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important for everybody, but it surely’s particularly essential for individuals with POTS. Dehydration can worsen POTS signs, similar to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. It will probably additionally result in a lower in blood quantity, which may make POTS signs worse.
To remain hydrated, you need to drink loads of fluids all through the day. Water is your best option, however it’s also possible to drink different fluids, similar to sports activities drinks, fruit juice, and natural tea. Keep away from sugary drinks, similar to soda and power drinks, as these can dehydrate you.
How a lot fluid you must drink every day is dependent upon various components, similar to your exercise degree, local weather, and total well being. Nonetheless, an excellent rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water per day.
In case you’re exercising, you might have to drink extra fluids. You must also drink extra fluids in the event you’re in a scorching local weather or you probably have a fever.
Listed below are some suggestions 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 frequently.
- Drink fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
- Select water or different wholesome fluids over sugary drinks.
- Eat vegetables and fruit which can be excessive in water content material, similar to watermelon, cucumber, and celery.
Salt consumption
Individuals with POTS typically have low blood quantity, which may worsen their signs. Rising salt consumption may help to extend blood quantity and enhance signs.
- Intention for two,300-3,000 mg of sodium per day: That is the beneficial day by day consumption of sodium for adults. Nonetheless, individuals with POTS might have to eat extra salt than this to enhance their signs.
Add salt to your meals: You’ll be able to add salt to your meals on the desk or whereas cooking. You too can use salty condiments, similar to soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickles.
Drink salty fluids: You too can enhance your salt consumption by ingesting salty fluids, similar to sports activities drinks, coconut water, and broth.
Watch out to not overdo it: An excessive amount of salt might be dangerous, so it is essential to speak to your physician about how a lot salt you need to be consuming.
In case you’re contemplating growing your salt consumption, discuss to your physician first. They may help you establish how a lot salt is best for you.
Nutritious diet
Consuming a nutritious diet is essential for everybody, but it surely’s particularly essential for individuals with POTS. Consuming a nutritious diet may help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.
Listed below are some suggestions for consuming a nutritious diet you probably have POTS:
- Eat loads of vegetables and fruit: Vegetables and fruit are full of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which may help to enhance your total 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: Entire grains are an excellent supply of fiber, which may help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They’ll additionally assist to control blood sugar ranges, which is essential for individuals 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 every time doable.
- Select lean protein sources: Lean protein sources, similar to fish, hen, beans, and tofu, may help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They’ll additionally assist to keep up muscle mass, which is essential for individuals with POTS.
- Restrict unhealthy fat: Unhealthy fat, similar to saturated and trans fat, can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select wholesome fat, similar to olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds, as an alternative.
Consuming a nutritious diet may help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Discuss to your physician or a registered dietitian for extra data on the right way to eat a nutritious diet for POTS.
Stress administration
Stress could be a main set off for POTS signs. If you’re confused, your physique releases hormones that may trigger your coronary heart charge and blood stress to extend and your blood vessels to constrict. This will result in dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, that are all frequent signs of POTS.
Managing stress is a vital a part of managing POTS. There are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle stress, together with:
- Train: Train is a good way to scale back stress and enhance your total well being and well-being. If you train, your physique releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting results.
- Leisure strategies: Leisure strategies, similar to deep respiration, yoga, and meditation, may help to calm your thoughts and physique and cut back stress. There are a lot of totally different leisure strategies obtainable, so discover one which works for you and apply it frequently.
- 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 have a look at a tree.
- Discuss to somebody: In case you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, discuss to a good friend, member of the family, therapist, or different trusted particular person. Speaking about your issues may help you to really feel higher and develop methods for dealing with stress.
Managing stress is a vital a part of managing POTS. By utilizing the ideas above, you’ll be able to cut back stress and enhance your total well being and well-being.
Medicine
Medicine might be useful for some individuals with POTS. Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that treatment isn’t a remedy for POTS. It will probably 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 charge and low blood stress.
Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are drugs that sluggish the center charge. They’re typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart charge.
Ivabradine: Ivabradine is a medicine that particularly targets the center charge. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart charge and can’t tolerate beta-blockers.
In case you’re contemplating taking treatment for POTS, discuss to your physician in regards to the dangers and advantages. Medicine might be useful for managing POTS signs, but it surely’s essential to search out the correct treatment and dosage for you.
Life-style adjustments
Along with medical remedies, there are a variety of life-style adjustments you may make to assist handle your POTS signs. These adjustments might embody:
- Keep away from triggers: If you understand what triggers your POTS signs, attempt to keep away from these triggers as a lot as doable. 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 essential to tempo your self and take breaks if you want them. Do not attempt to do an excessive amount of too quickly.
- Elevate your legs: Elevating your legs may help to enhance blood circulate and cut back POTS signs. Attempt to elevate your legs for no less than half-hour every day, particularly after meals.
- Put on compression clothes: Compression clothes may help to enhance blood circulate and cut back swelling within the legs. Sporting compression clothes might assist to scale back POTS signs, similar to dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Get sufficient sleep: If you’re sleep-deprived, you are extra more likely to expertise POTS signs. Intention for 7-8 hours of sleep every night time.
Making these life-style adjustments may help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Discuss to your physician for extra data on the right way to make life-style adjustments which can be best for you.
FAQ
Listed below are some ceaselessly requested questions on the right way to remedy POTS:
Query 1: What’s the only remedy for POTS?
Reply 1: There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. The best remedy will fluctuate relying on the person affected person. Nonetheless, some frequent remedies embody gradual train, compression stockings, hydration, salt consumption, nutritious diet, stress administration, treatment, and life-style adjustments.
Query 2: Can POTS be cured?
Reply 2: POTS is a persistent situation, however it may be managed. With the correct remedy, individuals with POTS can reside full and energetic lives. Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that there isn’t any remedy 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 may help to scale back your signs.
Query 5: What sort of train is finest for individuals with POTS?
Reply 5: Gradual train is the very best sort of train for individuals with POTS. Begin slowly and steadily enhance the depth and length of your exercises over time. Select actions that you just get pleasure from and that do not make your signs worse.
Query 6: What’s the finest food regimen for individuals with POTS?
Reply 6: A nutritious diet is essential for everybody, but it surely’s particularly essential for individuals with POTS. Eat loads of vegetables and fruit, complete grains, and lean protein. Restrict processed meals, unhealthy fat, and sugary drinks.
Query 7: What sort of treatment 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 treatment 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 may help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.
Closing Paragraph: When you have POTS, it is essential to speak to your physician about the very best remedy choices for you. With the correct remedy, you’ll be able to reside a full and energetic life.
Along with the data offered on this FAQ, listed here are some extra suggestions that will enable you to handle your POTS:
Ideas
Listed below are some extra suggestions that will enable you to handle your POTS:
Tip 1: Be part of a assist group: There are a selection of assist teams obtainable for individuals with POTS. These teams can give you data, assist, and encouragement. Speaking to different individuals who perceive what you are going via might be very useful.
Tip 2: Advocate for your self: POTS is a comparatively uncommon situation, so it is essential to advocate for your self and just be sure you’re getting the care you want. In case you’re not happy 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 hand over: POTS could be a difficult situation, but it surely’s essential to keep in mind that you are not alone. There are a lot of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and reside full and energetic lives. With the correct remedy and assist, you’ll be able to too.
Closing Paragraph: Managing POTS might be difficult, but it surely’s undoubtedly doable. By following the ideas on this article, you’ll be able to enhance your signs and reside a full and energetic life.
In case you’re scuffling with POTS, do not hand over. There’s hope. With the correct remedy and assist, you’ll be able to handle your signs and reside a full and energetic life.
Conclusion
POTS is a difficult situation, however it may be managed. With the correct remedy and assist, individuals with POTS can reside full and energetic lives.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. The best remedy will fluctuate relying on the person affected person. Nonetheless, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs, together with:
- Gradual train
- Compression stockings
- Hydration
- Salt consumption
- Nutritious diet
- Stress administration
- Medicine
- Life-style adjustments
In case you’re scuffling with POTS, do not hand over. Discuss to your physician about the very best remedy choices for you. With the correct remedy, you’ll be able to reside a full and energetic life.
Closing Message: Bear in mind, you are not alone. There are a lot of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and reside full and energetic lives. With the correct remedy and assist, you’ll be able to too.