Treatment for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Gaithersburg MD
Does your child complain of nausea, dizziness, sudden chest pain, or weakness upon standing from a sitting or lying position? Your child may have POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Our five seasoned and skilled pediatricians at Pediatric and Adolescent Care, located in Gaithersburg, MD, and Rockville, MD, can help answer any questions regarding POTS. We treat possible POTS episodes.
The Definition Of POTS
POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a condition in which your child’s body can show drastic differences when changing positions rapidly, such as rising to stand or sitting from lying.
With positional changes, your child can experience the following symptoms, which result from the body’s inability to balance blood vessel constrictions with the heart rate response.
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, and - or shaking
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Exhaustion and or fainting
- Headache with or without forgetfulness or "brain fog"
- Limbs that are lower than heart level may appear discolored
- Sweating and anxiety
Diagnosing POTS
According to Pediatric and Adolescent Care in Gaithersburg, MD, and Rockville, MD, POTS can be difficult to diagnose in anyone, including children. There are a couple of ways that our doctor can diagnose.
First, we will need to perform a thorough physical, including asking you questions about when you first noticed symptoms and the duration of those symptoms.
Secondly, one major diagnostic test is the Tilt Table Test. This test measures blood pressure and heart rate as your child quickly changes positions. Our doctors can also order blood, urine, or other tests to rule out another medical problem.
Management of POTS
POTS is a lifelong diagnosis, but you can reduce your child’s attacks by adopting specific lifestyle changes. To help reduce POTS episodes, you can make two major changes to your child’s routine: encourage them to exercise with general activity and diet. POTS treatment is highly individualized according to the severity of the disease and your child’s symptoms.
Our doctor can work with you to make sure your child is thriving. Call Pediatric and Adolescent Care at (301) 869-2292 in Gaithersburg, MD, or Rockville, MD, to schedule your consultation appointment to diagnose POTS correctly. We will help your child live with this diagnosis and lead a healthy life.
Studies have shown that certain exercises, such as biking and swimming, can benefit your child. Exercise for strong legs can also benefit your child during an attack. Gentle yoga and walking can help your child build resistance to POTS episodes as they increase their endurance.
A diet that includes smaller meals throughout the day may consist of higher sodium, complex carbohydrates, and more water, up to 2.5 liters daily, depending on the type of POTS. We can help your child.