Staying hydrated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) can be challenging, especially in the summer. Don’t forget to add electrolytes to your water – they’re a critical part of proper hydration. Here’s why ..read more

Learn how cooling vests can improve heat intolerance in individuals with POTS or other chronic illnesses ..read more

When diagnosed with hypotension, or low blood pressure, a common “fix” many doctors recommend is to increase your sodium, or salt, intake. It seems like eating a large amount of salt would be unhealthy, but salt by itself has many important roles in the body. Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.com Why is Salt Important? Your body’s cells require certain ions, which includes NaCl (salt) and K (potassium) to work properly– without the correct ratio of the two, you can actually harm your body, especially your heart. As an example, I have increased SVT (heart arrhythmia) occurrences when I am very dehy ..read more

Exercise as a Treatment for POTS/Dysautonomia Does it really work? An interview with physical therapists who live with dysautonomia. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, is a form of dysautonomia. In this syndrome, the autonomic nervous system no longer responds appropriately, creating a multitude of symptoms. From fainting when standing to light sensitivity and everything in between, dysautonomia is a complex medical condition that often requires a multi-faceted treatment plan for symptom relief. One of the more difficult symptoms to manage, standing and exercise intolerance ..read more

When you were first diagnosed with Dysautonomia/POTS you probably thought that you would never be able to have a night life again. Is that really true though? As you recover and get to know your limits with a chronic illness, you may find that more is possible than you think, you just need to know how to prep for it. Listening to music live has always been one of my favorite things to do. I remember seeing my first concert in middle school with Paramore opening for No Doubt. And since then, I’ve loved going to a few shows every year for some of my favorite bands. But after being diagnosed wit ..read more

Doctors always seem to say that exercise is the key to everything. Is that true with POTS/Dysautonomia? The Levine Protocol is a progressive, cardio-based exercise regime that can improve symptoms of exercise and standing intolerance in people with POTS/Dysautonomia. The program, developed by Dr. Levine, is available through your cardiologists or physical therapists. You can also read about it in detail here. So, exercise for POTS and Dysautonomia… thoughts? You are probably thinking that your Dysautonomia is so bad, even thinking of exercising exacerbates your symptoms. Trust me, I feel yo ..read more

“I have dysautonomia and suddenly my GI system has turned into a nightmare. Why is that?” Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.comYou may be reading this wondering if your stomach problems could be caused by dysautonomia. And the simple answer to that question is yes, dysautonomia can cause many gastrointestinal problems, including GERD, nausea, gastroparesis, constipation, diarrhea, and incontinence, among others.  Dysautonomia in a Nutshell Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for syndromes in which the autonomic nervous system no longer responds appropriately to normal bodily functions. The most class ..read more

From athlete at Wesleyan college to physical therapist, guest writer Dana shares her story with POTS.  A photo of me and some of my college teammates, 2 years after my POTS diagnosis.It was fall of my sophomore year of college, I was nineteen years old when I started to have heart palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, increased fatigue, and tiredness. My symptoms were mild; I did not think too much of it. I was a collegiate athlete on a scholarship and nothing was going to stop me from competing. I was already in the midst of the cross country season when the athletic trainer called me ..read more

How Does the Levine Protocol and Exercise Help POTS/Dysautonomia? Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.comWhat is the Levine Protocol? The Levine and Dallas/CHOPS Protocol are exercise-based physical therapy regimes to lessen the symptoms of POTS/Dysautonomia. Many patients with these syndromes struggle with standing and exercise intolerance, so the goal of these exercise plans is to improve those intolerances. Exercise and standing intolerance varies from person to person. For one person with POTS/Dysautonomia, it can be difficult to stand for longer than 30 seconds. For another, perhaps symptoms don’t ..read more

Photo by Life Of Pix on Pexels.comThe feeling of your heart pounding as you prepare for your next adventure. The not so subtle tingle of adrenaline coursing through your body as you take that first step towards the next big goal. The bittersweet exhaustion that sweeps through you when dominating yet another feat. These feelings are what make an athlete tick. I would more identify as an active person rather than an athlete, as the term “athlete” implies I have a certain level of skills and coordination I simply don’t possess. But I can relate to the intoxicating rush of setting a goal and crus ..read more