If you happen to’re studying this, you are most likely somebody who’s battling 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 arise 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 approach to treatment my POTS. It wasn’t simple, nevertheless it was price it. I am now residing a full and lively life, free from POTS signs. On this article, I will share my story with you and offer you the data it is advisable to treatment your individual POTS.
There isn’t any one-size-fits-all treatment for POTS. What works for one particular person could not work for an additional. Nevertheless, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs and ultimately treatment your POTS. Within the subsequent part, I will talk about a number of the handiest remedies for POTS.
How I Cured My POTS
Listed here are 8 essential factors about how I cured my POTS:
- Gradual train
- Compression stockings
- Hydration
- Salt consumption
- Nutritious diet
- Stress administration
- Medicine
- Life-style modifications
These are only a few of the issues that helped me treatment my POTS. If you happen to’re battling POTS, I encourage you to speak to your physician and take a look at a few of these remedies. With the proper therapy, you possibly can dwell a full and lively life, free from POTS signs.
Gradual train
One of the crucial essential 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 may cut back POTS signs. Nevertheless, it is essential to start out slowly and progressively improve the depth and length of your exercises over time.
After 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 improve the period of time I might train with out signs. I additionally began including different actions to my routine, reminiscent of swimming, biking, and yoga.
It is essential to hearken to your physique and relaxation when it is advisable to. If you happen to begin to really feel dizzy or lightheaded, cease exercising and sit or lie down till the signs cross. Do not push your self too arduous, or you would make your POTS signs worse.
If you happen to’re new to train, it is a good suggestion to speak to your physician earlier than beginning a brand new program. They might help 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’ve got POTS:
- Begin slowly and progressively improve the depth and length of your exercises over time.
- Select actions that you just take pleasure in and that do not make your signs worse.
- Hearken to your physique and relaxation when it is advisable 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 therapy for POTS. They assist to enhance circulation within the legs and cut back pooling of blood, which might help to cut back POTS signs reminiscent of dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
- Graduated compression: Compression stockings which are graduated, that means they’re tighter on the ankle and looser on the high, are handiest for treating POTS.
20-30 mmHg: Compression stockings with a strain 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 more practical than calf-length stockings.
Put on them day by day: Compression stockings needs to be worn day by day, from morning till night. You could 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.
If you happen to’re contemplating utilizing compression stockings to deal with your POTS, speak to your physician first. They might help you discover the proper kind and dimension of stockings for you.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important for everybody, nevertheless it’s particularly essential for folks with POTS. Dehydration can worsen POTS signs, reminiscent of dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. It will possibly 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 the only option, however you may as well drink different fluids, reminiscent of sports activities drinks, fruit juice, and natural tea. Keep away from sugary drinks, reminiscent of soda and power drinks, as these can dehydrate you.
How a lot fluid it is advisable to drink every day will depend on a lot of components, reminiscent of your exercise stage, local weather, and total well being. Nevertheless, an excellent rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water per day.
If you happen to’re exercising, you could have to drink extra fluids. You must also drink extra fluids when you’re in a sizzling local weather or when you’ve got 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 commonly.
- Drink fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
- Select water or different wholesome fluids over sugary drinks.
- Eat vegatables and fruits which are excessive in water content material, reminiscent of watermelon, cucumber, and celery.
Salt consumption
Individuals with POTS typically have low blood quantity, which may worsen their signs. Growing salt consumption might help to extend blood quantity and enhance signs.
- Goal for two,300-3,000 mg of sodium per day: That is the advisable day by day consumption of sodium for adults. Nevertheless, folks with POTS could have to devour 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 can too use salty condiments, reminiscent of soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickles.
Drink salty fluids: You can too improve your salt consumption by consuming salty fluids, reminiscent of sports activities drinks, coconut water, and broth.
Watch out to not overdo it: An excessive amount of salt could be dangerous, so it is essential to speak to your physician about how a lot salt you ought to be consuming.
If you happen to’re contemplating growing your salt consumption, speak to your physician first. They might help you identify how a lot salt is best for you.
Nutritious diet
Consuming a nutritious diet is essential for everybody, nevertheless it’s particularly essential for folks with POTS. Consuming a nutritious diet might help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to cut back your POTS signs.
Listed here are some ideas for consuming a nutritious diet when you’ve got POTS:
- Eat loads of vegatables and fruits: Vegatables and fruits are full of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which might help to enhance your total well being and well-being. They will additionally assist to cut back irritation, which can play a job in POTS.
- Select complete grains over refined grains: Entire grains are an excellent supply of fiber, which might help to maintain you feeling full and glad. They will additionally assist to manage blood sugar ranges, which is essential 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 recent, complete meals over processed meals at any time when attainable.
- Select lean protein sources: Lean protein sources, reminiscent of fish, rooster, beans, and tofu, might help to maintain you feeling full and glad. They will additionally assist to take care of muscle mass, which is essential for folks with POTS.
- Restrict unhealthy fat: Unhealthy fat, reminiscent of saturated and trans fat, can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select wholesome fat, reminiscent of olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds, as a substitute.
Consuming a nutritious diet might help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to cut back your POTS signs. Speak to your physician or a registered dietitian for extra data on the way to eat a nutritious diet for POTS.
Stress administration
Stress is usually a main set off for POTS signs. Once you’re burdened, your physique releases hormones that may trigger your coronary heart price and blood strain 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 a good way to cut back stress and enhance your total well being and well-being. Once you train, your physique releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting results.
- Rest strategies: Rest strategies, reminiscent of deep respiration, yoga, and meditation, might help to calm your thoughts and physique and cut back stress. There are numerous totally different rest strategies out there, so discover one which works for you and observe it commonly.
- Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature has been proven to cut 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: If you happen to’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, speak to a good friend, member of the family, therapist, or different trusted particular person. Speaking about your issues might help you to really feel higher and develop methods for dealing with stress.
Managing stress is a crucial a part of managing POTS. Through the use of the ideas above, you possibly can cut back stress and enhance your total well being and well-being.
Medicine
Medicine could be useful for some folks with POTS. Nevertheless, it is essential to notice that medicine shouldn’t be a treatment for POTS. It will possibly solely assist to handle the signs.
- Fludrocortisone: Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that helps to extend blood quantity and blood strain. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve low blood strain.
Midodrine: Midodrine is a vasoconstrictor that helps to extend blood strain. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price and low blood strain.
Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are drugs that sluggish the center price. They’re typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price.
Ivabradine: Ivabradine is a drugs that particularly targets the center price. It’s typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price and can’t tolerate beta-blockers.
If you happen to’re contemplating taking medicine for POTS, speak to your physician concerning the dangers and advantages. Medicine could be useful for managing POTS signs, nevertheless it’s essential to search out the proper medicine and dosage for you.
Life-style modifications
Along with medical remedies, there are a variety of way of life modifications you can also make to assist handle your POTS signs. These modifications could embrace:
- Keep away from triggers: If you understand what triggers your POTS signs, attempt to keep away from these triggers as a lot as attainable. Widespread triggers embrace warmth, standing for lengthy durations 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 might help to enhance blood move and cut 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 might help to enhance blood move and cut back swelling within the legs. Carrying compression clothes could assist to cut back POTS signs, reminiscent of dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Get sufficient sleep: Once you’re sleep-deprived, you are extra more likely to expertise POTS signs. Goal for 7-8 hours of sleep every evening.
Making these way of life modifications might help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to cut back your POTS signs. Speak to your physician for extra data on the way to make way of life modifications which are best for you.
FAQ
Listed here are some ceaselessly requested questions on the way to treatment POTS:
Query 1: What’s the handiest therapy for POTS?
Reply 1: There isn’t any one-size-fits-all therapy for POTS. The best therapy will range relying on the person affected person. Nevertheless, some frequent remedies embrace gradual train, compression stockings, hydration, salt consumption, nutritious diet, stress administration, medicine, and way of life modifications.
Query 2: Can POTS be cured?
Reply 2: POTS is a persistent situation, however it may be managed. With the proper therapy, folks with POTS can dwell full and lively lives. Nevertheless, it is essential 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: Widespread triggers for POTS signs embrace warmth, standing for lengthy durations of time, dehydration, and stress. Figuring out and avoiding your triggers might help to cut back your signs.
Query 5: What sort of train is finest for folks with POTS?
Reply 5: Gradual train is the perfect kind of train for folks with POTS. Begin slowly and progressively improve the depth and length 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 food plan for folks with POTS?
Reply 6: A nutritious diet is essential for everybody, nevertheless it’s particularly essential 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 medicine 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 medicine that’s finest for you’ll rely in your particular person signs.
Query 8: What are some way of life modifications I could make to assist handle my POTS?
Reply 8: There are a selection of way of life modifications you can also make to assist handle your POTS, together with getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, and avoiding triggers. Making these modifications might help to enhance your total well being and well-being, and it could additionally assist to cut back your POTS signs.
Closing Paragraph: In case you have POTS, it is essential to speak to your physician about the perfect therapy choices for you. With the proper therapy, you possibly can dwell a full and lively life.
Along with the data supplied on this FAQ, listed here are some extra ideas which will allow you to handle your POTS:
Suggestions
Listed here are some extra ideas which will allow you to handle your POTS:
Tip 1: Be 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 via could 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 remember to’re getting the care you want. If you happen to’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 when you do not see outcomes instantly. Preserve at it, and you’ll ultimately begin to really feel higher.
Tip 4: Do not hand over: POTS is usually a difficult situation, nevertheless it’s essential to do not forget that you are not alone. There are numerous individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and dwell full and lively lives. With the proper therapy and assist, you possibly can too.
Closing Paragraph: Managing POTS could be difficult, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly attainable. By following the ideas on this article, you possibly can enhance your signs and dwell a full and lively life.
If you happen to’re battling POTS, do not hand over. There’s hope. With the proper therapy and assist, you possibly can handle your signs and dwell a full and lively life.
Conclusion
POTS is a difficult situation, however it may be managed. With the proper therapy and assist, folks with POTS can dwell full and lively lives.
There isn’t any one-size-fits-all therapy for POTS. The best therapy will range relying on the person affected person. Nevertheless, 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 modifications
If you happen to’re battling POTS, do not hand over. Speak to your physician about the perfect therapy choices for you. With the proper therapy, you possibly can dwell a full and lively life.
Closing Message: Keep in mind, you are not alone. There are numerous individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and dwell full and lively lives. With the proper therapy and assist, you possibly can too.