Categories: International

What is POTS, a disease which affected 1 million Americans after Covid

POTS or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome has affected around three million Americans before Covid-19 and at least one million new patients after the pandemic. Many people are still not familiar with the disease. A study reveals that around 2% to 14% of people with covid develop POTS.

Each word of “postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome” has a meaning:

  • Postural: Related to the position of your body.
  • Orthostatic: Related to standing upright.
  • Tachycardia: A heart rate over 100 beats per minute.
  • Syndrome: A group of symptoms that happen together.

Who does POTS affect:

The majority of people with POTS are women and people assigned female at birth aged 15 to 50 years. But men and people assigned male at birth can also have POTS.

You’re at a higher risk of developing POTS after experiencing the following stressors:

  • Significant illnesses, such as viral illnesses like mononucleosis or serious infections.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Physical trauma, such as a head injury.
  • Surgery.

People who have certain autoimmune conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus and celiac disease, are also more likely to develop POTS.

What is POTS disease:

When your heart rate increases very quickly after getting up from sitting or lying down, this is what the National Health Service, UK called POTS. It can get better with changes to your lifestyle, but some people may need treatment with medicines.

POTS symptoms:

One may feel dizziness or light-headedness, fainting or almost fainting, noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations), chest pain, shortness of breath, shaking and sweating, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, tummy pain, etc.

What causes POTS

It is not yet clear what are the causes of POTS disease. It can develop suddenly or maybe over time. Some people witness mild symptoms, some have a big impact on their lives due to this disease.

How POTS is diagnosed:

According to NHS UK, one should refer to a specialist if he faces the POTS symptoms mentioned above. The specialist will recommend you get blood tests, urine tests, and heart and blood pressure tests done.

How to get POTS treatment:

If you are diagnosed with POTS, the specialist will suggest you change lifestyles such as eating and drinking at regular times and trying to manage stress, first. However, there is no known cure for POTS. But physical therapy, medications, and diet changes can help you.

Experts said that there is a shortage of medical professionals who are aware of POTS treatment. “POTS cases have doubled since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the number of specialists are same, but patients are more,” said Lauren Stiles, president, and chief executive of Dysautonomia International.

Also Read: Britain, EU reach agreement on Northern Ireland post-Brexit trade

 

Piyush Shukla

Recent Posts

Weekly Current Affairs One Liners (24th to 30th August, 2026)

Weekly Current Affairs One-Liners Current Affairs 2026 plays a very important role in competitive examinations…

9 minutes ago

Trump Announces Major Venezuela Oil Deal Worth $100 Billion

The US President, Donald Trump, made a groundbreaking announcement about a major oil deal with…

21 hours ago

Asian Games 2026: What Makes Them Different From the Olympics?

The Asian Games 2026, which is formally known as the Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will see thousands…

22 hours ago

India Finish 8th in FIH World Cup After Belgium Shootout Loss

The Indian men's hockey team finished their participation in the FIH World Cup at the…

23 hours ago

Gujarat Launches India’s First Sports Genomics Programme

Gujarat has launched the India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme. The programme attempts to incorporate…

23 hours ago

India Records Nearly 80% Drop in Malaria Cases Between 2015 and 2025

There has been remarkable progress in the India's fight against the disease, which saw the…

24 hours ago