Strategies for POTS Relief with Dr. Satish Raj (Ep 125)

In this podcast episode, Dr. Satish Raj discusses the complexity of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), highlighting it as a disorder of feeling faint rather than one that results in fainting. He describes POTS as multifactorial with diverse causes, including post-viral onset and blood volume issues, requiring individualized treatment approaches. Key management strategies involve prioritizing non-pharmacological treatments like increased salt and water intake, using compression garments primarily focused on the abdomen and pelvis, and engaging in specific exercise regimes. He emphasizes that consistent and tailored exercise is crucial, albeit improvements may take up to six weeks. Dr. Raj underscores the importance of correctly diagnosing POTS due to its variability and overlap with other dysautonomia-like conditions and differentiates it from similar-sounding conditions such as vasovagal syncope. The episode provides practical advice for both patients and clinicians on managing POTS and exploring its underlying mechanisms.