What does POTS stand for?
POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
What is POTS?
POTS is defined by excessive heart rate increments upon upright posture. Someone who has POTS will experience heart rates that increase 30 beats or more per minute upon standing and/or increase to 120 beats or more per minute upon standing. These exaggerated heart rate increases usually occur within 10 minutes of rising.
How have you been affected by POTS?
I have dealt with this for as long as I could remember. I recently read about the condition which lead to my self diagnosis. Whenever I go from sitting to standing, laying down to sitting, or laying down to standing, everything goes black and I get very light headed.When I was younger, I fell down the stairs because of the dizziness. Another time, I walked into the wall. My mom would always yell at me to stop being so dramatic, but I really wasn't being dramatic. To her, 'blacking out' is what happened when you passed out. But really, every time I stand up, I black out. It's just something I have learned to live with.
Is there any cure for POTS?
There isn't necessarily a cure, it's more like treatment. Many people say to drink more water. Also, caffeine helps due to its stimulative effects. Physical activity is also said to be of some aid. Personally, I just deal with it.
