how i cured my pots

How I Cured My POTS

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How I Cured My POTS

If you happen to’re studying this, you are in all probability 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 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 remedy.

After years of struggling, I lastly discovered a technique to remedy my POTS. It wasn’t simple, but it surely 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 give you the knowledge it is advisable to remedy your individual 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 selection of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs and finally remedy your POTS. Within the subsequent part, I will talk about among the best therapies for POTS.

How I Cured My POTS

Listed below are 8 essential factors about how I cured my POTS:

  • Gradual train
  • Compression stockings
  • Hydration
  • Salt consumption
  • Nutritious diet
  • Stress administration
  • Remedy
  • Life-style adjustments

These are just some of the issues that helped me remedy my POTS. If you happen to’re fighting POTS, I encourage you to speak to your physician and check out a few of these therapies. With the proper therapy, you’ll be able to dwell a full and energetic life, free from POTS signs.

Gradual train

Some of the essential issues I did to remedy my POTS was to start out a gradual train program. Train helps to strengthen the guts and enhance circulation, which may cut back POTS signs. Nonetheless, it is essential to start out slowly and progressively improve the depth and length 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 saved at it, and slowly however certainly, 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, equivalent to 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 go. Do not push your self too laborious, or you possibly can 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 may also help you create an train plan that’s secure and efficient for you.

Listed below are some ideas for beginning a gradual train program if in case you have POTS:

  • Begin slowly and progressively improve the depth and length of your exercises over time.
  • Select actions that you simply get pleasure from and that do not make your signs worse.
  • Take heed 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 may also help to scale back POTS signs equivalent to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.

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

20-30 mmHg: Compression stockings with a stress 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 more practical than calf-length stockings.

Put on them every day: Compression stockings ought to be worn every day, from morning till night. You could must 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 may also help you discover the proper sort and measurement of stockings for you.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is crucial for everybody, but it surely’s particularly essential for folks with POTS. Dehydration can worsen POTS signs, equivalent to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. It might probably 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 can too drink different fluids, equivalent to sports activities drinks, fruit juice, and natural tea. Keep away from sugary drinks, equivalent to soda and vitality drinks, as these can dehydrate you.

How a lot fluid it is advisable to drink every day relies on numerous elements, equivalent to your exercise stage, local weather, and general well being. Nonetheless, a superb rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water per day.

If you happen to’re exercising, you might must drink extra fluids. You also needs to drink extra fluids should you’re in a scorching local weather or if in case you have a fever.

Listed below 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 usually.
  • Drink fluids earlier than, throughout, and after train.
  • Select water or different wholesome fluids over sugary drinks.
  • Eat vegetables and fruit which might be excessive in water content material, equivalent to watermelon, cucumber, and celery.

Salt consumption

Individuals with POTS typically have low blood quantity, which may worsen their signs. Growing salt consumption may also help to extend blood quantity and enhance signs.

  • Intention for two,300-3,000 mg of sodium per day: That is the really helpful every day consumption of sodium for adults. Nonetheless, folks with POTS might must eat extra salt than this to enhance their signs.

Add salt to your meals: You possibly can add salt to your meals on the desk or whereas cooking. You too can use salty condiments, equivalent to soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickles.

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

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

If you happen to’re contemplating growing your salt consumption, speak to your physician first. They may also help you identify how a lot salt is best for you.

Nutritious diet

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

Listed below are some ideas 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 also help to enhance your general well being and well-being. They will additionally assist to scale back irritation, which can play a job in POTS.
  • Select complete grains over refined grains: Complete grains are a superb supply of fiber, which may also help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They will additionally assist to control 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 every time doable.
  • Select lean protein sources: Lean protein sources, equivalent to fish, hen, beans, and tofu, may also help to maintain you feeling full and happy. They will additionally assist to keep up muscle mass, which is essential for folks with POTS.
  • Restrict unhealthy fat: Unhealthy fat, equivalent to saturated and trans fat, can contribute to irritation and different well being issues. Select wholesome fat, equivalent to olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds, as a substitute.

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

Stress administration

Stress is usually a main set off for POTS signs. Whenever you’re harassed, your physique releases hormones that may trigger your coronary heart charge and blood stress to extend and your blood vessels to constrict. This may result in dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, that are all widespread 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 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.
  • Rest methods: Rest methods, equivalent to deep respiratory, yoga, and meditation, may also help to calm your thoughts and physique and cut back stress. There are numerous completely different leisure methods out there, so discover one which works for you and observe 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 take a look at a tree.
  • Speak to somebody: If you happen to’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, speak to a buddy, member of the family, therapist, or different trusted individual. Speaking about your issues may also help you to really feel higher and develop methods for dealing with stress.

Managing stress is a crucial a part of managing POTS. By utilizing the guidelines above, you’ll be able to cut back stress and enhance your general well being and well-being.

Remedy

Remedy may be useful for some folks with POTS. Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that remedy isn’t a remedy for POTS. It might probably solely assist to handle the signs.

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

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

Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers are medicines that gradual the guts charge. They’re typically used to deal with POTS sufferers who’ve excessive coronary heart charge.

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

If you happen to’re contemplating taking remedy for POTS, speak to your physician in regards to the dangers and advantages. Remedy may be useful for managing POTS signs, but it surely’s essential to seek out the proper remedy and dosage for you.

Life-style adjustments

Along with medical therapies, there are a selection of way of life adjustments you can also make to assist handle your POTS signs. These adjustments might embrace:

  • Keep away from triggers: If what triggers your POTS signs, attempt to keep away from these triggers as a lot as doable. 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 once you want them. Do not attempt to do an excessive amount of too quickly.
  • Elevate your legs: Elevating your legs may also help to enhance blood circulate and cut back POTS signs. Attempt to elevate your legs for a minimum of half-hour every day, particularly after meals.
  • Put on compression clothes: Compression clothes may also help to enhance blood circulate and cut back swelling within the legs. Sporting compression clothes might assist to scale back POTS signs, equivalent to dizziness and lightheadedness.
  • Get sufficient sleep: Whenever you’re sleep-deprived, you are extra more likely to expertise POTS signs. Intention for 7-8 hours of sleep every night time.

Making these way of life adjustments may also help to enhance your general well being and well-being, and it might additionally assist to scale back your POTS signs. Speak to your physician for extra data on the right way to make way of life adjustments which might be best for you.

FAQ

Listed below are some ceaselessly requested questions on the right way to remedy POTS:

Query 1: What’s the best therapy for POTS?

Reply 1: There isn’t any one-size-fits-all therapy for POTS. The best therapy will differ relying on the person affected person. Nonetheless, some widespread therapies embrace gradual train, compression stockings, hydration, salt consumption, nutritious diet, stress administration, remedy, and way of life adjustments.

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 energetic lives. Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that there isn’t any remedy 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, carrying compression clothes, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress.

Query 4: What are some widespread 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 may also help to scale back your signs.

Query 5: What sort of train is finest for folks with POTS?

Reply 5: Gradual train is the most effective sort of train for folks with POTS. Begin slowly and progressively improve the depth and length of your exercises over time. Select actions that you simply get pleasure from and that do not make your signs worse.

Query 6: What’s the finest weight-reduction plan for folks with POTS?

Reply 6: A nutritious diet is essential for everybody, but it surely’s particularly essential 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 remedy 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 remedy that’s finest for you’ll rely in your particular person signs.

Query 8: What are some way of life adjustments I could make to assist handle my POTS?

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

Closing Paragraph: You probably have POTS, it is essential to speak to your physician about the most effective therapy choices for you. With the proper therapy, you’ll be able to dwell a full and energetic life.

Along with the knowledge offered on this FAQ, listed below are some further ideas which will enable you handle your POTS:

Suggestions

Listed below are some further ideas which will enable you handle your POTS:

Tip 1: Be a part of a help group: There are a selection of help teams out there for folks with POTS. These teams can give 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 essential to advocate for your self and just remember to’re getting the care you want. If you happen to’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 should you do not see outcomes instantly. Hold at it, and you’ll finally begin to really feel higher.

Tip 4: Do not quit: POTS is usually a difficult situation, but it surely’s essential to keep in mind that you are not alone. There are numerous individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and dwell full and energetic lives. With the proper therapy and help, you’ll be able to too.

Closing Paragraph: Managing POTS may be difficult, but it surely’s positively doable. By following the guidelines on this article, you’ll be able to enhance your signs and dwell a full and energetic life.

If you happen to’re fighting POTS, do not quit. There’s hope. With the proper therapy and help, you’ll be able to handle your signs and dwell a full and energetic life.

Conclusion

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

There isn’t any one-size-fits-all therapy for POTS. The best therapy will differ relying on the person affected person. Nonetheless, there are a selection of issues you are able to do to enhance your signs, together with:

  • Gradual train
  • Compression stockings
  • Hydration
  • Salt consumption
  • Nutritious diet
  • Stress administration
  • Remedy
  • Life-style adjustments

If you happen to’re fighting POTS, do not quit. Speak to your physician about the most effective therapy choices for you. With the proper therapy, you’ll be able to dwell a full and energetic life.

Closing Message: Bear in mind, you are not alone. There are numerous individuals who have efficiently managed their POTS and dwell full and energetic lives. With the proper therapy and help, you’ll be able to too.