POTS Patient Survival Kit
October is Dysautonomia awareness month! Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several different medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System controls the "automatic" functions of the body that we do not consciously think about, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, kidney function, and temperature control. One of the more common forms of Dysautonomia is POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is estimated to affect between one and three million people in the United States. Females are at greater risk than males. POTS can cause lightheadedness, fainting, tachycardia, chest pains, shortness of breath, GI upset, shaking, exercise intolerance, temperature sensitivity and more.
Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with POTS or perhaps you suspect you have it and you’re are wondering what kind of items you should have on hand to help with your symptoms. We have got you covered with this “survival kit“! Below are some items and tips for anyone dealing with autonomic issues.
Compression: When you have POTS, you might experience blood pooling. That means your blood drops to the bottom half of your body and stays there, not circulating well to the top half of your body. This contributes to the fainting and lightheadedness that are so common with POTS. Compression pants, socks and leggings can help push the blood back up to the top half of your body and prevent blood pooling.
Electrolytes + Water bottle: People with autonomic issues such as POTS have a harder time staying properly hydrated because of an inability to retain fluids. Electrolytes help to hold and utilize the water you drink, which is crucial for people with POTS. Drinking a large amount of fluids and making sure that electrolytes are a part of what you are drinking is essential to have a fighting chance at holding onto your hydration. Investing in a large refillable water bottle and a quality electrolyte drink mix will keep you on track with your hydration!
Shower Seat: Showering when you have POTS can be a real challenge for a number of reasons. Exposure to warm water for a prolonged period of time during a shower will temporarily open up and widen blood vessels. The combination of having to stand, the heat and lifting your arms overhead puts a lot of strain on the autonomic nervous system. By utilizing a shower seat or stool, you can take one part out of that equation and make your showering experience less strenuous. Using the seat will reduce the amount of times you bend your head down and it will physically reduce the strain of gravity on your arms as you clean.
Salt: If you have low blood pressure (as many do with POTS) increasing your salt intake can help. Sodium can help you hold onto those electrolytes and help prevent your blood pressure from dropping too low. Studies show that among the POTS patients, a high-sodium diet reduced upright heart rate and the change in heart rate on standing, as well as an increase in blood volume.
Portable fan, Ice packs & Cooling vest: People with POTS often have problems with temperature regulation. This is because the autonomic nervous system controls body temperature. Heat causes blood vessels to widen, thereby increasing heart rate and other POTS symptoms. Staying cool with a personal, portable fan can keep symptoms controlled. Having ice packs and a cooling vest in the freezer will be helpful when you need to quickly bring your body temperature down.
Heart Rate & Blood Pressure Monitor: Having the ability to view and track your heart rate and blood pressure can be helpful for newly diagnosed, suspected POTS patients and even people who have been living with POTS for years. These tools can be used to gauge how your body is responding to a treatment or lifestyle change and can be valuable information to share with your doctors.
POTS Exercise Coach: There are plenty of studies about the benefits of exercise for patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Yet, for many, symptoms like fatigue and tachycardia can make exercise a real challenge — there’s a reason why exercise intolerance can be a symptom of POTS. Taking it one day at a time, and starting slowly, modified exercise programs like that from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) can provide helpful routines to gradually reduce exercise intolerance and increase stamina. That is why we created a free tool for you to help you along your POTS exercise journey. Access the videos here!
How Chronius Can Help
If living with chronic illness feels like a full time job, you aren’t alone.
That’s why at Chronius, we make it easy to navigate the healthcare system as a patient. Our online care management platform brings together all of your health records and offers a 1-click appointment prep tool that easily synthesizes your health story for your care team. You also can track all of your symptoms, identify trends, learn from vetted medical information, and follow a custom patient journey map. Plus, if you needs hands on support, our Care Advocates are available to help you with any issues you may hit up against. Personalized support as you navigate your care journey is what we are all about.
Interested in learning more and signing up for our waitlist? Claim your spot today.
