Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) Symptoms with POTS

People with POTS describe orthostatic symptoms that start after standing up anywhere from 1 minutes after standing up to 10 minutes. These symtpoms go away when they lie down again. The most common symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness, vision changes, hearing changes, nausea, tremulousness, exercise intolerance, headaches, weakness, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, anxiety, inappropriate sweating and temperature changes. However, there are many other reported symptoms. For more complete list of orthostatic symptoms, go to Symptoms of Orthostatic Intolerance.

 

Other Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that develop. It is not actually known whether the symptoms are due to lack of blood flow to an organ or body part or whether they are due to the release of epinephrine (EPI - AKA adrenaline) or norepinephrine (NE).

 

Symptoms that are thought to be due to the autonomic system being overreactive: palpitations, tremuousness, shortness of breath, chest wall pain. Loss of sweating and excess sweating - which could be all over or only in parts of the body, like the feet or hands/arms.^Thieben

 

Other symptoms that might be due to decreased blood flow or to autonomic malfunction: gastrointenstinal symptoms like bloating, nausea, vominting, pain, constipation, diarrhea, bladder dysfunction and pupil dysfuction (which might be associated with the problem with excessive glare or problems with light)^Thieben.

 

In another study, ^Sullivan

 

Temperature changes - There is a change in the ability to regulate body temperature. The person may feel hot inside but the skin can be cool to the touch. Body temperature or sense of temperature by be inconsistent with the room temperature. On the other hand, they can be more sensitive to cold and heat.

 

Blue legs. People with POTs or CFS often have a condition called "acrocyanosis" - which means blueness. The legs turn colors with standing. They can be pink/red but when it is most extreme, they turn blue and the legs swell. The blueness could be pretty solid or it might be blotchy. This develops after standing for a while.

 

The hands can also turn blue with standing up for a while. In some people, when they lie down, the color returns to normal and there is tingling or abnormal sensation.

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More About POTS

More About POTS

What Causes POTS

Who Gets POTS

How Common is POTS

Symptoms of POTS

Diagnosis of POTS - Definition

Types of POTS

The Problem

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