Written By As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are facing new challenges when seeking healthcare. Despite being a well-known condition for over two decades, many healthcare providers still lack the tools and knowledge to effectively treat POTS patients post-COVID. In this blog post, we’ll explore why this gap exists and what can be done to close it so that those living with POTS can receive the care they need and deserve.
What is POTS and what causes it?
POTS, or paroxysmal orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is a condition in which the body’s heart rate greatly increases and then quickly decreases when the person stands or starts to walk. This can make it difficult to breathe and can cause intense muscle pain. POTS is usually caused by a problem with the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls many of the body’s automatic functions, such as digestion and heart rate.
There is no one cure for POTS, but treatment typically involves medications to lower the heart rate and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding strenuous activity. If left untreated, POTS can lead to other health problems, such as stroke or seizures.
COVID is a rare condition that causes POTS-like symptoms in people who have never had a heart attack or stroke. The cause isn’t known yet, but researchers think that COVID might damage blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord. About 1 in 5,000 people develop COVID at some point in their lives, and it’s most common in women over 50 years old.
If you’re experiencing POTS-like symptoms and your doctor isn’t sure if they’re due to COVID or another condition, your best bet is to see a specialist. There are currently no treatments available for people who have COVID alone, but research is ongoing into potential treatments that could help improve symptoms.
What are the symptoms of POTS?
The most common symptoms of POTS are:
-A feeling of fatigue
-Pounding heart rate
-Rapid breathing
-Dizziness
-Nausea and vomiting
-Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
How is POTS diagnosed?
POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Healthcare providers typically diagnose POTS after ruling out other causes of symptoms, such as heart disease or kidney disease.
To diagnose POTS, healthcare providers typically perform a physical exam and gather medical history information. They may also administer standard tests to measure heart rate, blood pressure and breathing patterns.
If POTS is confirmed, healthcare providers may recommend treatment options, such as medications to regulate heart rate and blood pressure or therapy to improve breathing. If POTS is not caused by another condition, lifestyle changes may be necessary to improve symptoms.
What are the treatments for POTS?
There is no cure for POTS, but there are a number of treatments that can help manage the condition. Some patients may need to take medications every day to keep their symptoms under control. Other patients may need to see a doctor regularly to check their blood pressure and heart rate. And still others may require frequent trips to the hospital because of their high risk of suffering a stroke or other serious health problem. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider about your individual needs in order to find the best treatment plan for you.
What are the long-term consequences of untreated POTS?
POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a rare disorder that affects the blood flow and rhythm of the heart. Untreated, POTS can lead to chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, and even death. Healthcare providers are not well equipped to treat POTS patients after COVID (corticoid-related oral syndrome).
Some experts believe that the long-term consequences of untreated POTS include: chronic fatigue syndrome; cardiomyopathy; palpitations; arrhythmias; migraines; and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, untreated POTS can leave patients with difficulty breathing at rest and during exercise. In some cases, untreated POTS can even cause a heart attack or stroke.
If you experience any of these symptoms — particularly if they persist for more than six months — please seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider may be able to diagnose and treat POTS with medication or surgery.
Conclusion
There are many factors that contribute to the fact that healthcare providers are not equipped to treat patients with POTS after COVID. Some of these reasons include a lack of understanding about the condition, a lack of knowledge about effective treatments, and a shortage of available specialists. It is important that we continue to raise awareness about POTS and its symptoms so that more healthcare providers will be able to provide appropriate care for their patients.
