Understanding POTS | GnarlyTree

What is Dysautonomia? | Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Dysautonomia In Depth What is Dysautonomia? The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating many of the body’s automatic functions—things we often take for granted, like maintaining a steady heart rate, digesting food efficiently, and keeping blood pressure in balance. When this system malfunctions, the consequences can be profound, leading to a group of […]

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What is POTS | A Simple Guide to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Understanding Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome What is POTS? POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. POTS is a form of dysautonomia, meaning a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It is characterized by an excessive increase in heart rate—usually more

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What is Neuropathic POTS | Understanding Nerve-Related Dysautonomia

Understanding Neuropathic POTS Neuropathic POTS is a subtype of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which falls under the broader category of dysautonomia—a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. In Neuropathic POTS, there is partial autonomic nerve damage, especially in the lower limbs, leading to impaired blood vessel constriction and blood pooling when standing. This results

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What is Hyperadrenergic POTS | When Adrenaline Drives Dysautonomia

Introduction to Hyperadrenergic POTS Hyperadrenergic POTS, often abbreviated as HyperPOTS or Adrenergic POTS, is a distinct subtype of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). As part of the broader category of dysautonomia, it involves a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, leading to an exaggerated sympathetic nervous system response. This heightened activity results in excessive norepinephrine

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What is Hypovolemic POTS | When Low Blood Volume Drives Symptoms

Introduction to Hypovolemic POTS Hypovolemic POTS is a distinct subtype of POTS and falls within the broader group of autonomic nervous system disorders known as dysautonomia. This form of POTS is primarily characterized by a reduced blood volume (hypovolemia), which affects the body’s ability to maintain proper blood flow when upright, leading to a cascade

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What is Secondary POTS | When Another Condition Triggers Dysautonomia

Introduction to Secondary POTS Secondary POTS is a specific classification of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome that arises as a consequence of another underlying medical condition. Unlike primary POTS, which occurs independently, secondary POTS develops due to diseases or disorders that affect the autonomic nervous system. Understanding the nature of secondary POTS is essential for effective

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5 POTS Books for 2025 | Essential Reads for Understanding and Managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Why Books Still Matter in the POTS Community If you’re searching for the most insightful and practical POTS books for 2025, this guide brings you a curated list of titles packed with patient-focused wisdom, up-to-date science, and everyday strategies for managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. These books offer real-world help for patients, caregivers, and healthcare

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Conditions That can Lead to Secondary POTS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), particularly the hypermobile type (hEDS), is a well-documented contributor to secondary POTS due to its widespread effects on connective tissue, which plays a crucial role in vascular stability. In individuals with EDS, the structural integrity of blood vessels can be compromised. This results in increased vascular elasticity and poor venous

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POTS Tests | Autonomic Function Assessments

Understanding the Need for Testing Why Testing is Essential for POTS Diagnosis POTS Tests are vital for understanding. POTS is often misdiagnosed or overlooked due to the complexity and variability of its symptoms. Many individuals struggle for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis, as symptoms can mimic other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety disorders,

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Heart Rate Variability Testing for POTS

What Is Heart Rate Variability? Heart Rate Variability Testing for POTS is an increasingly valuable tool in the diagnostic process for individuals experiencing symptoms related to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. By analyzing fluctuations in time intervals between heartbeats, this non-invasive method offers crucial insight into autonomic nervous system function—specifically, how well the body adapts to

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Tilt Table Test | A Key Diagnostic Tool for POTS

Understanding the Tilt Table Test for POTS The Tilt Table Test is a crucial diagnostic procedure commonly used to identify Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a form of dysautonomia. Patients experiencing unexplained dizziness, rapid heart rate upon standing, lightheadedness, or fainting episodes often undergo this test to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms. In

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QSART (Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test) | POTS Test

Understanding the Nervous System and Sudomotor Function The Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) is a specialized diagnostic tool used to assess the small nerve fibers that control sweating. These fibers, part of the autonomic nervous system, are essential for regulating body temperature and maintaining proper skin hydration. When they malfunction, the result may point

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The Active Stand Test for POTS | A Key Diagnostic Tool for Autonomic Dysfunction

What is the Active Stand Test? The Active Stand Test for POTS is a simple yet effective diagnostic tool used to assess autonomic dysfunction in individuals experiencing symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). This test helps healthcare providers evaluate heart rate and blood pressure changes upon standing, offering valuable insights into the severity of

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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS | Understanding the Connective Tissue Connection

Understanding the Link Between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are two chronic conditions that frequently overlap, affecting connective tissues and autonomic nervous system function. Many individuals diagnosed with EDS experience symptoms associated with POTS, and vice versa. Since both conditions fall under dysautonomia, they

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The POTS and MS Connection | Understanding Dysautonomia in Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding the Overlap Between Dysautonomia and Multiple Sclerosis Explore the POTS and MS connection, how dysautonomia overlaps with multiple sclerosis, and what it means for diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment strategies. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are both complex neurological conditions. When they appear together, the relationship can cause confusion for patients

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