"you can get something called POTS feet"
Dr Ahmed, a UK-based GP, took to TikTok to raise awareness of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
In the video, Dr Ahmed said:
“Since the pandemic, the number of patients diagnosed with this condition has doubled.”
Symptoms can appear “non-specific” initially but could be linked to POTS.
Moreover, symptoms of POTS can be similar to those of other conditions, like low blood pressure.
The NHS stated that symptoms may be worse in the morning and can vary daily.
In the video, Dr Ahmed also stated:
“In POTS, there’s a dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, which has a wide range of effects from controlling cardiac health, controlling your gut and bladder.
“It’s involved in stress response and sweating.”
He said that in the past, diagnosis was “often delayed or missed” due to the varied symptoms.
Dr Ahmed went on to say: “Although the symptoms of POTS can happen when you’re laying down or upright, generally they’re far worse or occur more often when you’re standing up or upright.”
POTS affects everyone differently; some people have mild symptoms, while others can experience symptoms that significantly impact their everyday lives.
@dra_says This is a condition i am seeing more and more. Edicational purposes only #pots #potssyndrome #dizzy #fastheartrate #potsdiagnosis #potsawareness #doctor #privatedoctor #privategp #fastheartbeat ? original sound – Dr Ahmed
According to the NHS, some symptoms occur when you stand up and can get better when you sit or lie down, such as:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking and sweating
- Fainting or nearly fainting
Dr Ahmed highlighted there are also “non-orthostatic symptoms” you can get with POTS:
“Including bladder, bowel problems, circulation problems.
“And in about half of patients, you can get something called POTS feet, which is a purplish colour of your feet.”
Non-orthostatic symptoms are not directly related to postural intolerance or excessive tachycardia.
It is not clear what causes POTS. The NHS has emphasised:
“It can develop suddenly or gradually over time.”
“You may be more likely to get POTS if you have long Covid, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or joint hypermobility syndrome.”
There is currently no cure for POTS. However, medical professionals stress that it can be managed with lifestyle changes or treated with medication.
Lifestyle changes include, for instance, avoiding caffeine and alcohol and exercising regularly.
Medication that can be taken include ivabradine, beta-blockers and midodrine.
Dr Ahmed frequently shares his advice and expertise on TikTok and has amassed over 300,000 followers.
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