Have you ever been sitting there, minding your own business, when all of the sudden, your heart starts pounding, you start to sweat, and you feel a sense of nervousness? And then after the episode, you crash – you’re exhausted, shaky, and need to sleep. This is a common experience for those with POTS, where there is an inappropriate release of adrenaline, leaving you feeling like you’re in a fight or flight mode, even though there is no real danger present. Think of it as if your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is shouting “LION!!!! RUN!!!” when there is clearly no lion around.
This can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of POTS, as it can happen at any time and without warning. I remember feeling like something was wrong, and not being able to understand why I was feeling that way. These adrenaline surges can lead to feelings of anxiety, lightheadedness, and even fainting.
So, why do people with POTS experience adrenalin surges, and what can we do about it?
First, let’s take a look at the underlying cause. POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. When the body goes from a lying down to a standing up position, the autonomic nervous system should automatically adjust to maintain blood flow to the brain. However, in POTS patients, this adjustment doesn’t happen properly, and blood pools in the legs instead of returning to the heart and brain. This leads to a decrease in blood pressure and a compensatory increase in heart rate, which is what causes the symptoms of POTS.
Now, onto the adrenalin surges. When the body experiences a decrease in blood pressure, it triggers the fight or flight response, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones to try to increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a last ditch effort to get your blood back up to you heart and head where it belongs. Pre-Syncope, micro pass outs, or full syncope can occur if this is not successful. This is a normal response when the body is in a state of shock or danger, but in POTS patients, it happens too often and too strongly, leading to the unwanted symptoms of adrenalin surges.
So, what can we do about it?
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to help POTS patients manage their symptoms, including adrenalin surges. Regular physical activity has been shown to increase cardiovascular fitness and improve the body’s ability to tolerate changes in position. This means that the body becomes better at adjusting to the shift from lying down to standing up, reducing the need for the fight or flight response and the release of adrenaline.
Adrenaline surges can lead to feelings of anxiety, lightheadedness, and even fainting. They are also why POTS is so commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks.
Starting with low-impact, moderate-intensity exercises such ones in this program is recommended, and gradually building up the intensity and duration of exercise over time. This will allow the body to adapt to the increased demand on the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of exacerbating symptoms.
Exercise can be a game changer for POTS sufferers, helping to reduce the frequency and intensity of adrenalin surges. Think of it like training for a marathon, but instead of running, you’re training your body to handle changes in position without the panic button being pressed. Start small and work your way up, before you know it, you’ll be a POTS pro and those pesky adrenalin surges will be a thing of the past! So grab your workout gear and let’s get moving, we got this!
