How I Cured My POTS


How I Cured My POTS

In the event you’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 may be. I have been there. For years, I struggled with POTS signs like dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. I could not rise 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 remedy.

After years of struggling, I lastly discovered a strategy to remedy my POTS. It wasn’t straightforward, however it was price it. I am now residing a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs. On this article, I’ll share my story with you and offer you the data that you must remedy your personal POTS.

There isn’t any one-size-fits-all remedy for POTS. What works for one individual might not work for one more. Nonetheless, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs and finally remedy your POTS. Within the subsequent part, I will talk about a few of the simplest remedies for POTS.

How I Cured My POTS

Listed here are 8 necessary factors about how I cured my POTS:

  • Gradual train
  • Compression stockings
  • Hydration
  • Salt consumption
  • Nutritious diet
  • Stress administration
  • Treatment
  • Life-style modifications

These are only a few of the issues that helped me remedy my POTS. In the event you’re fighting POTS, I encourage you to speak to your physician and take a look at a few of these remedies. With the precise therapy, you possibly can stay a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs.

Gradual train

Some of the necessary issues I did to remedy my POTS was to start out a gradual train program. Train helps to strengthen the center and enhance circulation, which might cut back POTS signs. Nonetheless, it is necessary to start out slowly and step by step improve 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 stored at it, and slowly however absolutely, I used to be in a position to improve the period of time I might train with out signs. I additionally began including different actions to my routine, resembling swimming, biking, and yoga.

It is necessary to hearken to your physique and relaxation when that you must. In the event you begin to really feel dizzy or lightheaded, cease exercising and sit or lie down till the signs move. Do not push your self too laborious, or you might make your POTS signs worse.

In the event 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 here are some suggestions for beginning a gradual train program if in case you have POTS:

  • Begin slowly and step by step improve the depth and period of your exercises over time.
  • Select actions that you simply take pleasure in and that do not make your signs worse.
  • Hearken to your physique and relaxation when that 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 therapy for POTS. They assist to enhance circulation within the legs and cut back pooling of blood, which may help to scale back POTS signs resembling dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.

  • Graduated compression: Compression stockings which can be graduated, that means they’re tighter on the ankle and looser on the high, are simplest for treating POTS.

20-30 mmHg: Compression stockings with a strain of 20-30 mmHg are really helpful 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 day by day: Compression stockings needs to be worn day by day, from morning till night. Chances are you’ll 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 the event you’re contemplating utilizing compression stockings to deal with your POTS, discuss to your physician first. They may help you discover the precise kind and measurement of stockings for you.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is crucial for everybody, however it’s particularly necessary for folks with POTS. Dehydration can worsen POTS signs, resembling dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. It could additionally result in a lower in blood quantity, which might make POTS signs worse.

To remain hydrated, it’s best to drink loads of fluids all through the day. Water is the only option, however you may also drink different fluids, resembling sports activities drinks, fruit juice, and natural tea. Keep away from sugary drinks, resembling soda and vitality drinks, as these can dehydrate you.

How a lot fluid that you must drink every day is dependent upon various elements, resembling your exercise degree, local weather, and general well being. Nonetheless, rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water per day.

In the event you’re exercising, you might have to drink extra fluids. You also needs to drink extra fluids in the event you’re in a scorching local weather or if in case you have a fever.

Listed here 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 usually.
  • 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, resembling watermelon, cucumber, and celery.

Salt consumption

Individuals with POTS usually have low blood quantity, which might worsen their signs. Growing 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 really helpful day by day consumption of sodium for adults. Nonetheless, folks with POTS might 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, resembling soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickles.

Drink salty fluids: You can too improve your salt consumption by ingesting salty fluids, resembling sports activities drinks, coconut water, and broth.

Watch out to not overdo it: An excessive amount of salt may be dangerous, so it is necessary to speak to your physician about how a lot salt you ought to be consuming.

In the event you’re contemplating rising your salt consumption, discuss to your physician first. They may help you identify how a lot salt is best for you.

Nutritious diet

Consuming a nutritious diet is necessary for everybody, however it’s particularly necessary for folks with POTS. Consuming a nutritious diet may help to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.

Listed here are some suggestions for consuming a nutritious diet if in case you have POTS:

  • Eat loads of vegetables and fruit: Vegetables and fruit are filled with nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which may help to enhance your general well being and well-being. They’ll additionally assist to scale back irritation, which can play a job in POTS.
  • Select complete grains over refined grains: Entire grains are supply of fiber, which may help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They’ll additionally assist to control blood sugar ranges, which is necessary 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 doable.
  • Select lean protein sources: Lean protein sources, resembling fish, rooster, beans, and tofu, may help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They’ll additionally assist to keep up muscle mass, which is necessary for folks with POTS.
  • Restrict unhealthy fat: Unhealthy fat, resembling saturated and trans fat, can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select wholesome fat, resembling olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds, as an alternative.

Consuming a nutritious diet may help to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Discuss to your physician or a registered dietitian for extra data on eat a nutritious diet for POTS.

Stress administration

Stress could be a main set off for POTS signs. Whenever 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 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 variety 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. Whenever you train, your physique releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting results.
  • Leisure strategies: Leisure strategies, resembling deep respiration, yoga, and meditation, may help to calm your thoughts and physique and cut back stress. There are lots of totally different rest strategies out there, so discover one which works for you and follow 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 have a look at a tree.
  • Discuss to somebody: In the event you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, discuss to a pal, member of the family, therapist, or different trusted individual. 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 information above, you possibly can cut back stress and enhance your general well being and well-being.

Treatment

Treatment may be useful for some folks with POTS. Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that treatment is just not a remedy for POTS. It could solely assist to handle the signs.

  • Fludrocortisone: Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that helps to extend blood quantity and blood strain. It’s usually used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve low blood strain.

Midodrine: Midodrine is a vasoconstrictor that helps to extend blood strain. It’s usually used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price and low blood strain.

Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are drugs that gradual the center price. They’re usually used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price.

Ivabradine: Ivabradine is a medicine that particularly targets the center price. It’s usually used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart price and can’t tolerate beta-blockers.

In the event you’re contemplating taking treatment for POTS, discuss to your physician in regards to the dangers and advantages. Treatment may be useful for managing POTS signs, however it’s necessary to search out the precise treatment and dosage for you.

Life-style modifications

Along with medical remedies, there are a variety of life-style modifications you may make to assist handle your POTS signs. These modifications might embrace:

  • Keep away from triggers: If what triggers your POTS signs, attempt to keep away from these triggers as a lot as doable. Frequent 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 necessary to tempo your self and take breaks whenever 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 stream and cut back POTS signs. Attempt to elevate your legs for not less than half-hour every day, particularly after meals.
  • Put on compression clothes: Compression clothes may help to enhance blood stream and cut back swelling within the legs. Carrying compression clothes might assist to scale back POTS signs, resembling dizziness and lightheadedness.
  • Get sufficient sleep: Whenever you’re sleep-deprived, you are extra prone to expertise POTS signs. Intention for 7-8 hours of sleep every evening.

Making these life-style modifications may help to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Discuss to your physician for extra data on make life-style modifications which can be best for you.

FAQ

Listed here are some ceaselessly requested questions on remedy POTS:

Query 1: What’s the simplest 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. Nonetheless, some frequent remedies embrace gradual train, compression stockings, hydration, salt consumption, nutritious diet, stress administration, treatment, and life-style modifications.

Query 2: Can POTS be cured?

Reply 2: POTS is a power situation, however it may be managed. With the precise therapy, folks with POTS can stay full and energetic lives. Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that there isn’t a remedy for POTS.

Query 3: What are some issues I can do to handle my POTS signs?

Reply 3: There are a variety of issues you are able to do to handle your POTS signs, together with avoiding triggers, pacing your self, elevating your legs, carrying 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 embrace warmth, standing for lengthy durations 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 greatest for folks with POTS?

Reply 5: Gradual train is the most effective kind of train for folks with POTS. Begin slowly and step by step improve the depth and period of your exercises over time. Select actions that you simply take pleasure in and that do not make your signs worse.

Query 6: What’s the greatest weight loss program for folks with POTS?

Reply 6: A nutritious diet is necessary for everybody, however it’s particularly necessary for folks 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 variety of medicines that can be utilized to deal with POTS, together with fludrocortisone, midodrine, beta-blockers, and ivabradine. The kind of treatment that’s greatest for you’ll rely in your particular person signs.

Query 8: What are some life-style modifications I could make to assist handle my POTS?

Reply 8: There are a variety of life-style modifications you may make to assist handle your POTS, together with getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, and avoiding triggers. Making these modifications may help to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs.

Closing Paragraph: If in case you have POTS, it is necessary to speak to your physician about the most effective therapy choices for you. With the precise therapy, you possibly can stay a full and energetic life.

Along with the data supplied on this FAQ, listed here are some further suggestions that will enable you handle your POTS:

Ideas

Listed here are some further suggestions that will enable you handle your POTS:

Tip 1: Be part of a help group: There are a variety of help teams out there for folks with POTS. These teams can offer you data, help, and encouragement. Speaking to different individuals who perceive what you are going by way of may be very useful.

Tip 2: Advocate for your self: POTS is a comparatively uncommon situation, so it is necessary to advocate for your self and just be sure you’re getting the care you want. In the event 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 finally begin to really feel higher.

Tip 4: Do not surrender: POTS could be a difficult situation, however it’s necessary to do not forget that you are not alone. There are lots of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and stay full and energetic lives. With the precise therapy and help, you possibly can too.

Closing Paragraph: Managing POTS may be difficult, however it’s undoubtedly doable. By following the information on this article, you possibly can enhance your signs and stay a full and energetic life.

In the event you’re fighting POTS, do not surrender. There may be hope. With the precise therapy and help, you possibly can handle your signs and stay a full and energetic life.

Conclusion

POTS is a difficult situation, however it may be managed. With the precise therapy and help, folks with POTS can stay full and energetic lives.

There isn’t any one-size-fits-all therapy for POTS. The best therapy will range 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
  • Treatment
  • Life-style modifications

In the event you’re fighting POTS, do not surrender. Discuss to your physician about the most effective therapy choices for you. With the precise therapy, you possibly can stay a full and energetic life.

Closing Message: Bear in mind, you are not alone. There are lots of individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and stay full and energetic lives. With the precise therapy and help, you possibly can too.