Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Successfully diagnose and treat POTS with a personalized, root-cause approach.
Addressing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a syndrome characterized by episodes of dizziness, low blood pressure and tachycardia (fast heart rate) and is a consequence of chronic stressors on various systems in your body. These stressors often arise from a combination of factors including poor quality diet, environmental exposures (like mold and Lyme disease) inadequate or poor quality sleep, overworking, overtraining, and physical and emotional trauma which eventually manifests as adrenal insufficiency and autonomic dysfunction. POTS typically manifests as a significant increase in heart rate upon standing, lightheadedness, fatigue, brain fog, and occasional fainting. The condition, which is often misunderstood and poorly treated can significantly impact your quality of life.
Diagnosing POTS can be fairly straightforward. If your blood pressure significantly drops and your pulse dramatically increases when changing from a supine (lying) to a standing position, this is, by definition postural orthostatic tachycardia. On the other hand, the diagnosis of POTS can be challenging due to the wide range of other symptoms that often co-exist with these orthostatic postural events, and therefore, complicating and confusing the clinical picture. These other confounding symptoms may include anxiety, depression, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, hormonal problems, and digestive disorders. Many conventional diagnostic and therapeutic methods focus narrowly on blood pressure and heart rate abnormalities, while unfortunately overlooking the underlying metabolic and neurological factors that contribute to POTS in the first place. Merely, treating your symptoms of POTS with pharmaceutical agents may offer temporary relief of your orthostatic symptoms at best, but can also result in various unwanted “side effects”.
At Michael Rothman MD, we take a functional, metabolically directed approach to POTS. We investigate the interplay between your genetics, metabolic imbalances, hormones, diet, environmental exposures, emotional health, and other lifestyle factors to tailor a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to identify and treat the root causes of your orthostatic symptoms through personalized interventions aimed at restoring your impaired ability to maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis).
Ready to Take Control of Your Health?
If you are experiencing symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation with Dr. Rothman.
What are the Symptoms of POTS?
The symptoms of POTS can vary widely among individuals, reflecting the complex nature and multifactorial causes of the condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Abnormal Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Regulation: Experiencing an excessively raised heart rate when you move from lying down to standing, along with a drop in your blood pressure.
- Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion that does not improve with rest.
- Shortness of breath with minimal exertion
- Lightheadedness and Fainting: Feeling faint or dizzy, particularly when standing.
- Many persons diagnosed with POTS, have also been diagnosed with other syndromes, like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, PMS, IBS, adrenal fatigue, depression, anxiety and many other chronic syndromes.
If you are experiencing a multitude of seemingly unrelated symptoms, it is crucial to seek a comprehensive evaluation. A holistic, metabolically directed treatment approach can help restore your homeostatic balance and improve your overall health.
Our Functional and Metabolic Medicine Approach to POTS
At Michael Rothman MD, we understand the significant impact that metabolic imbalances have on your adrenal glands, autonomic nervous system and overall well-being. Our approach to treating POTS involves a comprehensive, metabolically directed method to identify and address the root causes of your symptoms, such as gut dysbiosis, food intolerances, autonomic dysfunction, poor quality diet, environmental exposures and limbic and emotional disturbances.
Learn More About Our Metabolic Approach To Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Diagnostic Methods Used:
- In-clinic metabolic testing to determine your acid-base balance, anabolic/catabolic status, electrolyte balance, and autonomic nervous system balance.
- Laboratory testing to assess nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances—such as thyroid and adrenal hormones—and inflammatory markers.
- Functional testing to evaluate digestive health, metabolic function, and immune responses.
- Lifestyle evaluations to assess your diet, stress levels, emotional health, and potential environmental exposures.
- Mycotoxin and heavy metal assessments to uncover hidden environmental contributors.
- Genetic testing to detect predispositions, including susceptibility to environmental triggers.
Potential Treatment Options:
- Dietary modifications to support metabolic balance through personalized recommendations with an emphasis on natural, unprocessed foods containing healthy fats. Stress reduction strategies to manage emotional and physiological stress and stabilize your autonomic function.
- Nutritional supplementation to address specific deficiencies and support your immune and nervous system function.
- Metabolic therapy to help normalize your impaired homeostatic control systems and promote overall healing.
- Lifestyle adjustments to address root causes such as structured exercise programs, toxin avoidance, sleep hygiene, and hydration strategies.
- Targeted treatment of comorbidities, addressing adrenal dysfunction, thyroid disorders, and hormonal imbalances.
Why Choose Functional and Metabolic Medicine for POTS?
Managing POTS through traditional medical practices often focuses solely on controlling symptoms without addressing the underlying causes. While medications like beta-blockers and synthetic steroids may temporarily reduce your heart rate and stabilize your blood pressure, they do not correct the deeper autonomic, metabolic, and inflammatory imbalances contributing to your condition.
At Michael Rothman MD, we take a functional and metabolic medicine approach that focuses on restoring your body’s impaired homeostatic control systems. By identifying the interactions between your genetics, environment, stressors, diet, and metabolic function, we form a complete, individualized picture of your health and create personalized, root-cause-focused treatment plans.
Choosing a functional and metabolic medicine approach means committing to a deeper, more personalized level of care. This approach is designed not only to alleviate your immediate symptoms but also to promote long-term health, resilience, and a sustained return to well-being.
Ready to Take Control of Your Health?
If you are experiencing symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation with Dr. Rothman.
Meet Dr. Michael Rothman:
Holistic Health and Metabolic
Medicine Expert
Dr. Michael Rothman is a Functional and Metabolic Medicine Specialist with over two decades of holistic practice. Drawing on his personal experience with Crohn’s disease, he is passionate about utilizing metabolically directed functional medicine to address complex health conditions, like POTS. Dr. Rothman’s comprehensive method considers dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors to identify and treat the metabolic imbalances at the root of health issues.
Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, he also holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and previously in Emergency Medicine. His unique approach integrates knowledge from nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and physics, alongside extensive training in environmental illness, medical acupuncture, naturopathy, Reiki, qigong, and oriental martial arts. Patients can expect a thorough, individualized approach aimed at restoring and maintaining lasting well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Untreated or improperly managed POTS can significantly impact your quality of life. In severe cases, the underlying circumstances that cause POTS can lead to profound fatigue, inability to perform daily activities, severe cognitive dysfunction, digestive disorders, and increased risk of psychiatric illnesses. Your homeostatic dysfunction can worsen over time, affecting multiple body systems and potentially leading to long-term disability in some individuals.
Your recovery time can vary greatly depending on many factors, including, your overall state of health, the root causes of your POTS, the severity of your symptoms, and your treatment approach. With a comprehensive, metabolically directed treatment plan addressing specific underlying factors, you may begin to see improvements within days or weeks. . However, complete recovery may take longer, particularly when addressing complex factors like mold toxicity, hormonal imbalances, or chronic stress patterns. A patient-centered approach personalized for you is essential for your optimal recovery.
Common POTS triggers include high-carbohydrate meals, refined sugars, processed foods (containing toxic seed oils), alcohol, caffeine, and foods that cause inflammatory reactions specific to your body. Many individuals with POTS benefit from avoiding foods that cause rapid blood sugar fluctuations. Instead, focusing on a personalized, relatively low-carbohydrate diet with adequate healthy fats and proteins can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and reduce autonomic nervous system stress, supporting your overall metabolic balance.
Medications that can potentially worsen POTS symptoms include vasodilators, certain antidepressants, diuretics, and some pain medications. Stimulants and alcohol may also exacerbate symptoms by affecting your autonomic nervous system function. It is essential to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who understands the complex relationship between medications and autonomic function to develop a safe, effective treatment approach for your specific needs.
Proper hydration and appropriate salt intake are crucial for managing POTS symptoms, as they help maintain blood volume and improve circulation. For many individuals with POTS, increasing fluid intake to 2-3 liters daily and adding appropriate amounts of high-quality salt to your diet can help reduce lightheadedness, fatigue, and heart rate abnormalities. The specific amounts should be personalized to your unique needs and monitored as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.
