Illness that makes you feel dizzy when you stand up

Standing up tachycardia syndrome can cause the patient to appear lightheaded, dizzy, and heart palpitations when standing up.

Do you feel lightheaded, dizzy with an increased heart rate when you stand up suddenly? Do these go away when you sit down or rest? It could be a symptom of orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

This is a warning condition for an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs when a person sits up or stands up. Some typical symptoms include dizziness and fainting.

Some people have mild symptoms, while many find the condition affecting their lives. POTS usually improves gradually over time, with medication and supportive healthcare.

Dizziness and heart palpitations when suddenly standing up are common symptoms of POTS syndrome.

Causes of POTS

Normally, when you sit up or stand up, gravity pulls some blood down into your abdomen, hands and feet, according to the NHS. The blood vessels then rapidly narrow, the heart rate increases slightly to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and prevent a drop in blood pressure.

All of this is done automatically and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system - the nervous system in charge of automatic bodily functions.

In a person with POTS, the autonomic nervous system does not function properly. The blood supply to the heart and brain is reduced when the person is upright and the heart has to "racing" to compensate for this.

In every position, heart rate and blood pressure work in concert to keep the body functioning properly. But in the case of POTS, heart rate and blood pressure don't work together, so they fluctuate when people stand up or do physical activity.

Many studies have also found that in women with POTS, the condition clears up and gets worse during the menstrual cycle.

"For people with POTS, lightheadedness or fainting is also accompanied by an increase in heart rate faster than 30 beats per minute or an excess heart rate," says the National Institute of Stroke and Neurological Disorders Health Report. 120 beats/min for 10 minutes after ramping up".

This problem is only of concern when a person stands up suddenly, it goes away when the person rests or sits down.

Who is at risk?

According to the India Times, a common symptom of POTS is feeling light-headed when standing up. In addition, the patient may experience some accompanying symptoms such as feeling tired, shaking, brain fog or difficulty concentrating, palpitations, even sometimes fainting.

People with orthostatic tachycardia syndrome are also prone to unusual signs such as headache, bloating, constipation, lack of sleep or insomnia, and shortness of breath. Due to shortness of breath and fatigue, these people may have difficulty performing intense physical activity such as exercise.

The NHS says POTS mainly affects women, and is common in girls and women aged 15-50.

"Anyone of any age can develop POTS, but the majority of those affected (75-80%) are women aged 15 to 50 years. Some women report an increase in episodes. POTS just before their period. It often begins after pregnancy, major surgery, trauma, or viral illness," the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports. .

This condition can also arise after a person becomes seriously ill. Experts say people with certain autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease and Sjogren's syndrome are prone to POTS.

POTS occurs most commonly in women aged 15 to 50 years.

How to reduce POTS . symptoms

According to Healthline, every person with POTS is different. Some patients may find that symptoms come and go over a period of years.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment or medication for all patients with orthostatic tachycardia. It can take time for many patients to find the right medication and lifestyle changes that best support treatment.

In most cases, with adjustments in diet, medication, and physical activity, people can improve their quality of life. POTS symptoms also subside if the underlying cause is found and treated promptly.

Dietary changes are part of the treatment of POTS. By increasing water intake and adding more sodium to the diet, people can increase blood volume and reduce the severity of symptoms. However, consuming too much salt is also not good for health, so the patient should consult the necessary sodium intake by a specialist.

Small and frequent meals will help patients absorb nutrients better and relieve symptoms. Additionally, a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates can help reduce blood sugar spikes.