Dysautonomia/POTS
Dysautonomia refers to a condition where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is not functioning optimally and can result in fluctuations in blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, pupillary dilation & constriction, and lead to temperature imbalances1. It is an umbrella term for different types of conditions that impact the ANS.
One of the forms of dysautonomia is POTS which stands for “Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome”. Within POTS, there are also different types: hypovolemic POTS, neuropathic or partial dysautonomia POTS, and hyperadrenergic POTS. It is more common in teenagers and young adults. But is becoming increasingly common in patients that also suffer from chronic illnesses like lyme’s disease, autoimmune disease2, mold illness, or mast cell issues.
Common symptoms include exercise intolerance, digestive issues, brain fog, fatigue, syncopal episodes (feinting), chest pain and shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. Symptoms vary between patients and the syndrome can vary between disability to minor symptomatology.
Typical workup for dysautonomia is done by a cardiologist and sometimes a neurologist. A ‘tilt table’ test is used to assess for POTS and note substantial changes in blood pressure and heart rate when going from reclined to upright positions. Some patients will also be required to wear a heart rate monitor to rule out arrhythmias that may be causing similar symptoms.
Naturopathic medicine can offer patients with dysautonomia substantial support. Treating the root cause of what triggered the development of the condition is paramount, whether it was an autoimmune disease, mold, or even considered ‘idiopathic’. Finding out the why will help guide the appropriate plan to improve your health.
Naturopathic therapies like IV therapy can help you maintain better blood volume, as well as, provide additional nutrients and vitamins. Botanical medicine is also utilized-- herbs can help retrain the central nervous system and improve vascular tone, optimize adrenal function, and improve autonomic response. We will also investigate any other underlying imbalances in hormones, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic inflammation through comprehensive labwork. All of this is factored in to ensure we manage your unique presentation of symptoms and develop the best plan for you.
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