POTS

Many people who are suffering from long haulers syndrome after their Covid-19 infection are being diagnosed with POTS. 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a blood circulation disorder characterized by two factors:

1. A specific group of symptoms that frequently occur when standing upright

2. A heart rate increase from horizontal to standing (or as tested on a tilt table) of at least 30 beats per minute in adults, or at least 40 beats per minute in adolescents, measured during the first 10 minutes of standing

POTS is diagnosed only when orthostatic hypotension is ruled out and when there is no acute dehydration or blood loss. Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure: 20mm Hg drop in systolic or a 10mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure in the first three minutes of standing upright.

POTS is a common condition affecting an estimated one to three million Americans.

The symptoms of POTS include but are not limited to lightheadedness (occasionally with fainting), difficulty thinking and concentrating (brain fog), fatigue, intolerance of exercise, headache, blurry vision, palpitations, tremor and nausea.

Researchers don’t fully understand the causes of POTS, but it is more common in women than men and is more likely to develop in adolescents and young adults.

POTS is diagnosed using either a 10-minute standing test or a head-up tilt table test; occasionally other tests are performed to identify specific characteristics of POTS present in some patients.

Most people’s POTS symptoms respond to a combination of diet, medications, physical therapy and other treatments.

There are various forms of POTS. The most common are:

1. Neuropathic POTS: Peripheral denervation (loss of nerve supply) leads to poor blood vessel muscles, especially in the legs and core body.

2. Hyperadrenergic POTS: Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system.

3. Low blood volume POTS: Reduced blood volume can lead to POTS. Low blood volume can cause similar symptoms that may overlap in neuropathic and hyperadrenergic POTS.


Symptoms of POTS include: 

-High blood pressure/low blood pressure.

-High/low heart rate; racing heart rate.

-Chest pain.

-Dizziness/lightheadedness especially in standing up, prolonged standing in one position, or long walks.

-Fainting or near-fainting.

-Exhaustion/fatigue.

-Abdominal pain and bloating, nausea.

-Temperature deregulation (hot or cold).

-Nervous, jittery feeling.

-Forgetfulness and trouble focusing (brain fog).

-Blurred vision.

-Headaches and body pain/aches (may feel flu-like); neck pain.

-Insomnia and frequent awakenings from sleep, chest pain and racing heart rate during sleep, -excessive sweating.

-Shakiness/tremors especially with adrenaline surges.

-Discoloration of feet and hands.

-Exercise intolerance.

-Excessive or lack of sweating.

-Diarrhea and/or constipation.

Doctors focus on treating the POTS symptoms rather than treating the actual condition. Some of these treatments include medication like beta blockers, midodrine, fludrocortisone, pyridostigmine, or even salt tablets. Doctors may even suggest wearing medical compression socks to encourage the blood to flow up the legs. Keeping fluids in the body to increase the amount of blood the body produces is also important, so doctors may encourage people to take on a diet high in salt and drink a lot of water. Walking or doing yoga can help the blood flow and maintain a healthy heart, so this may be something a person should consider if they don’t already exercise lightly. Doctors may also try to 

POTS and other types of autonomic nervous system disorders aren’t explicitly listed in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book. Fortunately, the SSA allows applicants to prove that their symptoms still qualify them for the disability benefits. Typically, those who have a condition that’s listed in the Blue Book are automatically eligible for benefits. Those with conditions that aren’t listed in the book may need to submit more paperwork to prove that they’re eligible for benefits. This is the case for those with POTS.

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

Location: Michigan, USA

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