Natural Cure For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
ABSTRACT
Our Autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the involuntary function of the body like heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. It receives all the messages derived from the hypothalamus present in our brain. This then distributes instruction to inner organs through nervous pathway.
Autoimmune nervous system has two main branches including the Parasympathetic nervous system and Sympathetic nervous system. Each nervous system has different function including
| Parasympathetic nervous system (Rest and digest) | ORGANS | Sympathetic nervous system (Fight or Flight) |
| Construction of pupil | EYES | Dilation of pupil |
| Slow heartbeat | HEART | Increase heart vasoconstriction |
| Constrict Bronchi | KIDNEY | Dilates bronchi |
| Promotes peristalsis and secretion | STOMACH | Inhibits digestion |
In Some cases ANS does not work properly as it should. In some conditions the ANS is not able to work properly resulting in dysautonomia.
Dysautonomia is responsible for affecting inner organs like blood vessels, sweat glands and heart as well. One of the special forms of dysautonomia is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and in this article we are going to discuss this condition along with their herbal medicines.
WHAT IS POSTURAL ORTHOSTATIC TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME
Here one is important to note that
- Postural:- Is the position of the body
- Orthostatic:- Standing in a upright position
- Tachycardia:- Increase in heart rate
- Syndrome:- Groups of symptom
So, POTS is a condition that mainly affects the blood flow in our body. As discussed above this POTS is the disorder related to the Autonomic nervous system. It is a form of orthostatic intolerance where the symptoms are seen when you are standing up from a reclining position. The symptoms are relieved while lying or sitting back down.
The primary symptoms seen in POTS are fainting, feeling uncomfortable, head feels very light and increased heartbeat. Both blood pressure and heart rate work together which helps in proper blood circulation, no matter if the position changes. In patients with POTS they are not able to coordinate and balance the act of squeezing the blood vessel and the response to heart beat.
Each POTS case is different from each other and the symptoms might go and come. In the majority of cases the people are able to stabilize their problem through healthy diet and physical activities. Other than that there are other health issues that are responsible for causing POTS and treating them reduces the syndrome.
WHY HEART RATE IS INCREASED IN POTS
Most of the patients who suffer from POTS have normal heart structure. They raise symptoms due to the combination of following causes
- Amount of blood is decreased in the circulation
- The pooling of blood is increased from below the level of the heart in an upright position.
- Increased levels of the hormones like epinephrine which are also called adrenaline delivered by the adrenal glands and also norepinephrine.
When we stand up the gravity naturally pulls down the blood into our lower part of the body. In a healthy human body, to make sure that an adequate amount of blood is reaching the body, our body activates many nervous responses. One of the responses is hormone release that helps in tightening the blood vessels and resulting in a slight increase of heart rate. This process helps in enhancing the blood flow to the brain and heart. Once the brain starts to receive enough oxygen and blood the nervous system then settles down to normal.
In patients with POTS because of some underlying cause which may differ from patient to patient. The blood vessels do not respond properly to the signal to tighten. So, when the patient stands for a longer period of time the body starts to pool more blood in the lower half of the body. This results in inadequate amounts of blood returning to the brain which results in fatigue feeling, faintness and brain fog. The nervous system continuously releases norepinephrine and epinephrine that tightens the blood vessels increasing the heart rate more. This can cause skipped or forceful heartbeats, pain in chest and shakiness.
In some cases of POTS the blood pressure is dropped resulting in hypotension with prolonged upright position. Some may suffer from hypertension that differs from patient to patient.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
POTS can cause symptoms that may result in an uncomfortable feeling and a frightening experience. There are many sign seen in patient including
- Hypotension or Hypertension
- High heart rate or low heart rate
- Pain in chest
- Head feels light or Feeling Dizzy while standing up.
- Fainting
- Exhaustion
- Pain in abdomen
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Irregular thermals (hot or cold)
- Feeling nervous
- Vision becomes blurred
- Headache along with neck or body pain
- Frequently waking up in the night resulting in Insomnia
- Night sweats and increase heart rate while sleeping
- Tremors or shakiness in the body
- Discoloration of hands and feet
- Intolerant to exercise
- Excessive or no sweating
- Constipation or Diarrhea
The symptoms may get worse in a warm environment like hot bathing or while sitting in a hot room. In some situations like while standing for a long time at a bus station or while standing and also if you skip meals or there is no proper intake of salt or fluid in the diet.
WHO IS AT RISK
The majority of patients suffering from POTS are between the ages of 13 to 50 years and most of them are females. Around one in every 3 million people suffer from POTS and the people that are at risk includes
- People who have suffered from serious infection, viral illness, trauma or pregnancy are at risk of developing POTS.
- Having a history of mononucleosis puts them at risk.
- Patients who have autoimmune conditions like celiac disease and Sjogren’s syndrome.
POTS AND PREGNANCY
As mentioned above, POTS commonly affect women who are pregnant so it’s still a question that POTS will affect the outcome of pregnancy. Some studies suggest that half of the women during pregnancy with POTS have felt better which can be due to an increase in blood volume and this is present after the first few weeks of the pregnancy. It is seen that some women suffer from an increase in their symptoms but the infants are born totally normal.
WHAT THE TYPES AND CAUSES FOR POTS
The cause may vary from patient to patient and the researchers have still not found what is the origin of the disorder. There are different types depending on cause and this includes
- Hyperadrenergic POTS:- This type of POTS is associated with the high levels of stress hormone norepinephrine.
- Neuropathic POTS:- It is caused due to damaged condition of small fiber nerves which helps in regulating the constriction of blood vessels present in abdomen and limbs.
- Hypovolemic POTS:- As the name says it is associated with low blood levels in the body.
- Secondary POTS:- This is the condition caused by autonomic neuropathy like diabetes or lyme disease and autonomic conditions like Sjogrens or Lupus syndrome.
WHAT HELPS IN DIAGNOSIS OF POTS
It is difficult to diagnose POTS because of too many symptoms and it may also take a year to get confirmation of the syndrome. However, there are many test that can be done including:-
- Tilt Table Test which is one the most important tests for diagnosis. The tilt table helps in measuring the blood pressure and heart rate when the posture of the patient is changed.
Other includes:-
- Blood Test
- Urine Test
- QSART which helps in measuring the autonomic nerves that control the sweating.
- TST (Tuberculin Skin Test)
- Autonomic breathing test
- Skin nerve biopsy
- Echocardiogram
- Blood volume with hemodynamic studies
TREATMENT
According to modern science there is no proper treatment for the disease and they will prescribe medications on the basis of the underlying cause. This includes medicines like midodrine, fludrocortisone and pyridostigmine which are basically salt tablets. These tablets may result in health complications making the condition worse.
Ayurvedic approach to treating these kinds of diseases is by balancing the body as whole including body as well as mind. Ayurveda provides their herbal medicine which helps in balancing the Tridosha in our body. The herbal formulated remedies will help in making the body and immunity strong which will naturally manage the health of the body.
HERBAL REMEDIES PROVIDED BY PLANET AYURVEDA
All the herbal remedies provided by Planet Ayurveda for Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome are 100 percent pure, natural and vegetarian. Each herbal medicine is free of chemicals, additives and preservatives as it’s made under the supervision of an MD Ayurvedic Doctor. They all are clinically tested making it safe to use and free of side effects. Here are the list of herbal medicine provided by Planet Ayurveda which includes
- Arjuna Capsules
- Brahmi Capsules
- Gotu kola Capsules
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Pitta Balance
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1. Arjuna Capsules
They are made from one of the excellent herbs for the heart called Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) which is grown in South Asia as well as northern plains of India. Arjuna helps in treating blocked coronary arteries and reducing the levels of LDL and improving HDL levels as well. This herbal remedy is very beneficial for treating patients who have any kind of cardiac disorders and especially for POTS.
Dosage:- One capsule twice daily with water after meals.
2. Brahmi Capsules
It is made from the extract of a single herb known as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and is very effective in reducing anxiety as well as stress. This herb is excellent for giving nutrition to the neurons and improving the retention ability as well. It is very famously known for enhancing the function of the brain and also reducing any mental disorders which are responsible for causing symptoms of POTS.
Dosage:- One capsule twice daily after meals with water.
3. Gotu Kola Capsules
This herbal remedy is best known for patients who have ANS disorders as it is rich in nutrients like Vitamin A,B,E, K and Magnesium. It is made from the extract of a herb called Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) that is best for supporting the nervous system. Because of its property this herbal medicine helps in improving the health of the heart and reducing the problem seen in POTS disease.
Dosage:- One capsule with water twice daily after meals.
4. Boswellia Curcumin Capsules
This is one of the best formulated herbal medicines made from the extract of two herbs known as Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). It helps in decreasing inflammation from the body and improving the circulation. Boswellia Curcumin is very beneficial for reducing the ailments like difficulty in breathing, excessive sweating or chest pain which is very commonly seen in POTS patients.
Dosage:- One capsule twice daily after meals with water.
5. Pitta Balance Capsules
It is made from elements like Parval Pishti , Akik Pishti, Jawar Mohar Pishti, Mukta Pishti and many more. These capsules help in maintaining the blood pressure which is one of the main causes for POTS. Pitta balance is very helpful in treating symptoms like Palpitations and headaches.
Dosage:- One capsule with water twice daily after meals.
HOW TO MANAGE POTS EVERYDAY
Dietary Habits
- Balance the intake of sodium in the diet and include 3,000 to 10,000 mg of sodium every day.
- Drink an adequate amount of fluids around 2 to 2.5 liter per day. Water is one of the good choices.
- It’s better to include small meals every day which will help in reducing the symptoms of POTS.
- Eat food rich in high fiber that will reduce the blood sugar levels and lessen the symptoms.
- Reduce the intake of carbohydrates from the diet.
- Include salty snacks that are beneficial like beef broth, pickles, salted fish like anchovies and avoid eating crackers or chips.
- Avoid drinking Alcohol or smoking tobacco as it will only complicate the symptoms.
- Include green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale in the diet.
- Consume healthy grains like buckwheat, oats and rye which helps in reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
HEART RATE
Measuring heart rate will help you to deal with POTS disease. It is important to note:
- Make sure that heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute
- When heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute than it is considered as Tachycardia
- When heart rate is slow and under 60 beats per minute then it’s called Bradycardia.
- Low or High rates of heart can result in symptoms of POTS.
BLOOD PRESSURE
- Blood pressure is the pressure caused in the blood vessels due to blood. Blood pressure is directly related to beating of the heart along with the elasticity and diameter of the artery walls.
- There are two components of blood pressure which include Diastolic and Systolic pressure. The normal Systolic pressure should be 90 to 120 whereas Diastolic pressure must be 60 to 80.
- Systolic pressure is the amount of pressure present in the artery during the contraction of heart muscles. The diastolic pressure is the blood pressure between the heart beats.
- In POTS patients with hypertension can have systolic pressure of 140 whereas diastolic pressure can be over 85 and if hypotension then it can be 90/60 mmHg.
Exercise
Physical activities can help in managing the POTS and this includes:
- Isometric exercise which helps in contracting the muscles and in turn the blood is pushed back to the heart.
- Perform Yoga like Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Ujjayi Pranayama, Kumbhaka Pranayama etc and other breathing exercises which will help in coping up with symptoms.
Conclusion
Hence it is concluded that POTS disease is a rare disorder which makes someone’s life very uncomfortable and difficult to live. It can be easily managed through herbal medicine as mentioned above which will help in removing the root cause of the disease. It is important to take care of heart because “With a healthy Heart The Beat Goes on”. For further information kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com
