Handle POTS in Arizona with hydration, acupuncture, easy way of life adjustments

Dr. Jessica Schrand

Live Well Wellness Center

By Dr. Jessica Schrand | Doctor of naturopathic drugs at Live Well Wellness Center in Chandler

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an uptick in individuals growing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS-like signs, particularly in Arizona. The syndrome is a situation characterised by a very energetic sympathetic nervous system. This results in an extreme fight-or-flight response whenever you arise.

Those with the syndrome usually expertise a really excessive coronary heart price, generally rising by 30 beats per minute when standing up. This occurs as a result of blood strain drops, and the physique compensates by rushing up the guts. Common signs embrace dizziness, fatigue, mind fog, and complications. It may even trigger you to go out.

While the precise explanation for POTS is unknown, it does have quite a lot of triggers, akin to lack of sleep, bodily exercise, sickness, and considered one of its most distinguished triggers is warmth. POTS is underdiagnosed. However, due to excessive temperatures, it’s extra ceaselessly identified in desert climates.

Thankfully, there are therapies and way of life adjustments that may present some symptom reduction. It usually focuses on bettering circulation, supporting the nervous system, and addressing underlying causes akin to warmth or sickness. It isn’t unusual for sufferers with POTS to have mildew publicity, power viral infections, a historical past of Lyme illness, or mast cell activation syndrome. Its connection to underlying sickness is likely one of the causes we’ve seen extra diagnoses because the pandemic.

If that is the case, IV remedy might be useful, and fortunately, there are IV clinics positioned throughout the Valley. Hydration is essential, particularly when the underlying trigger is sickness or heat-related. Heat will increase sweating and fluid loss, which may dehydrate the physique and cut back blood quantity. This makes it tougher for the physique to keep up blood strain when standing up.

IV remedy helps by offering speedy hydration, bypassing the digestive system, and delivering fluids and electrolytes immediately into the bloodstream. For excessive circumstances, it’s a good suggestion to get IV fluids two to 3 instances per week to handle signs. Increasing salt consumption and carrying compression stockings may also be very useful.

Acupuncture may also be useful. It is a mild means to assist regulate the autonomic nervous system, which is usually out of stability with POTS. It helps higher circulation, decreasing signs and doesn’t must be accomplished persistently to be efficient.

Lower-body train is one other glorious option to handle the situation. Building lower-body and core power might help blood move return to the guts extra effectively. Start with recumbent workouts like Pilates. It will assist your physique exit fight-or-flight mode whereas additionally limiting blood strain adjustments, since you might be mendacity down. The secret’s to extend train regularly. If you might be noticing an exacerbation of signs the following day, you probably did an excessive amount of.

You may take dietary supplements to alleviate signs. The secret’s to take these only for electrolyte stability. LMNT electrolytes are efficient as a result of their excessive sodium content material, which helps preserve blood quantity and stop dizziness. You may add sodium capsules to water.

Some easy way of life adjustments can simply assist relieve POTS signs, particularly within the warmth. Hydrating early and infrequently is pivotal. Aim for at the least two to 3 liters of fluids every day with electrolytes. Try to keep away from outside actions within the warmth and go for indoor workouts. If you do wish to take part in an out of doors exercise, planning it within the mornings and evenings might be useful.

If you are feeling like your coronary heart races, you get lightheaded when standing, otherwise you really feel excessive fatigue with out a clear trigger, it’s value getting evaluated by a supplier accustomed to dystutonomia, a gaggle of problems the place the autonomic nervous system malfunctions. POTS can simply impression your on a regular basis life, even making it troublesome to get away from bed. However, with the suitable supplier and efficient symptom administration, you’ll be able to return to a daily every day life.

Schrand has been training naturopathic drugs within the Phoenix space for a decade and infrequently works with POTS sufferers. For data on Live Well Wellness Center, go to https://livewellwellnesscenter.com. Please submit feedback at yourvalley.internet/letters or e-mail them to [email protected]. We are dedicated to publishing all kinds of reader opinions, so long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.