POTS
(Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Treatment in Charlotte

As cited in Johns Hopkins Medicine, Conditions and Diseases, POTS is an acronym that stands for: 

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• Postural: related to the position of your body

• Orthostatic: related to standing upright

• Tachycardia: increased heart rate

• Syndrome: a group of symptoms

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POTS Syndrome: A REAL Condition

Before the 90s, POTS faced severe criticism from traditional medical practitioners as a legitimate medical condition due to the varying symptoms that can present themselves uniquely to each patient. Without a determined set of defining characteristics, many medical practitioners put POTS to the wayside or misdiagnose patients with anxiety due to a lack of awareness. While this unawareness is still present today, POTS is currently acknowledged by many reputable medical institutions, including the Mayo Clinic, as a legitimate and recognized medical syndrome. 

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About POTS

POTS is most predominant in females (85% of cases). However, men and other individuals, regardless of age, gender, sex, race, or other demographic, can be susceptible to POTS. 

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According to Dysautonomia International, patients who contracted COVID-19 are at more risk of developing POTS. With up to 3 million people affected by POTS in the United States before the pandemic, the number of individuals with POTS post-covid is up to a staggering 6 million. Interestingly, Long COVID can present itself similarly to POTS and shares many similar symptoms. It is important to let your POTS specialist know if you have ever contracted COVID. 

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POTS Syndrome: Misdiagnosed or Undiagnosed

Misdiagnosis of POTS is observed in patients at a staggering rate. According to Jessica Cooperrider et al., on average, patients wait up to four years to receive a proper POTS diagnosis, with most patients seeing up to seven medical health doctors before their diagnosis (2022). Interestingly, the symptoms of POTS Syndrome can sometimes mimic other conditions like Post-Concussion Syndrome and Long-Covid. It is important to see a healthcare provider like Dr. Alicia Brown, who has the expertise and proper knowledge to accurately differentiate POTS from other conditions. At Better Brain & Body, Dr. Alicia Brown sees and treats patients with POTS every day. Better Brain & Body uses cutting-edge diagnostic technology that plays an integral role in diagnosing POTS and Dysautonomia and helps Dr. Brown develop personalized treatment plans that help manage and address each individual's POTS recovery journey. 

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What is POTS Syndrome?

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a form of Dysautonomia. It is characterized by orthostatic intolerance that is associated with the presence of excessive tachycardia and an abnormally rapid heart rate upon standing. Simply put, POTS is a medical condition that comes with an onset of symptoms in response to a rapid increase in heart rate when standing or sitting up. However, patients with POTS may experience many other symptoms besides symptoms coming from orthostatic intolerance (standing upright with symptoms). Below, we outline not all but many POTS symptoms. 

 

POTS and Our Autonomic Nervous Systems

POTS is a syndrome that affects the regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for involuntary actions not under conscious control, such as breathing, blood pressure, sweating, or blood regulation/flow. Blood flow regulation throughout the body is an essential ANS function we cannot control voluntarily. Blood flow regulation can, however, be disrupted by POTS and is often one of the primary causes of many of the symptoms of POTS. Dysregulation of blood flow and other contributing factors produce the following common POTS symptoms: 

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POTS Syndrome Symptoms

• Chronic Fatigue

• Blurred vision

• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

• Heart palpitations

• Headache

• Poor concentration

• Tiredness

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (for example, nausea, cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea)

• Shortness of breath

• Head, neck, or chest discomfort

• Weakness

• Sleep disorders

• Difficulty exercising

• Anxiety

• Coldness or pain in the extremities

• And More

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Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some patients can be bedridden or hospitalized, while others can still go about their day with mild symptoms.

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POTS Syndrome Treatment

There are a few medications that show promise in the regulation of POTS symptoms, but this is hard to confirm scientifically as more studies are needed to confirm POTS medication success rates. Unfortunately, there is no direct cure for POTS itself at the current time.

 

Still, new and exciting clinical research shows the effectiveness of exercise and other brain-based therapies in symptom reduction and improvement in quality of life for patients with POTS. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and all the involuntary bodily functions that POTS may disturb start in the brain. Therefore, it is pivotal that we address the underlying issues at the source to improve the integrity of the ANS throughout the brain and body.

 

There are treatment options out there that DO NOT include drugs or surgery. While beneficial in some instances of care, these methods of treatment do not represent the non-invasive method of treatment delivered at Better Brain & Body. We are a holistic functional neurology clinic that does not utilize drugs, surgery, or other traditional neurology interventions. Rather, we utilize many innovative rehab therapies and safe, cutting-edge technology to promote a comfortable, holistic, and empowering treatment experience. Nevertheless, Better Brain & Body works with patients who are already on medications and other treatment plans to maximize their all-around treatment success. 

 

At Better Brain & Body, we understand that every patient's experience with POTS is unique, so each patient receives a personalized and custom-made treatment plan to address their condition's root cause(s). 

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Getting Started on Your Journey

You can improve your everyday life by optimizing your brain and addressing the root causes of your POTS symptoms. At Better Brain & Body, we can help you find your footing and start a journey toward optimizing overall health and POTS management relief with a clinic that understands POTS. 

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Give us a call or fill out the form below to get started. We will schedule you for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with our lead POTS specialist, Dr. Alicia Brown, to discuss any questions you may have. 

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For a deeper dive into POTS Syndrome, check out our blog post below.