Symptoms presumed to be related to cerebral hypoperfusion:
▪ Lightheadedness 77.6 % (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Fainting or near fainting 60.5% (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Generalized weakness 50% (Low et al.)
Symptoms presumed to be related to autonomic overactivity include the following:
▪ Palpitations 75% (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Tremulousness 37.5% (Low et al., 1995)
▪ Shortness of breath 27.6 % (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Chest discomfort and/or pain 24.3 % (Grubb, 2000)
Sudomotor symptoms include the following:
▪ Loss of sweating 5.3 % (Low et al.)
▪ Excessive sweating 9.2 % (Robertson, 2000)
Symptoms that may reflect dysautonomia:
▪ Delayed gastric emptying 23.7% (Grubb et al., 1997)
▪ Bloating after meals (Grubb et al., 1997)
▪ Nausea 38.8% (Robertson, 2000)
▪ Vomiting 8.6% (Thieben et al., 2007)
▪ Abdominal pain 15.1% (Thieben et al., 2007)
▪ Diarrhea 17.8% (Jacob & Biaggioni, 1999)
▪ Constipation 15.1% (Thieben et al., 2007)
▪ Bladder dysfunction 9.2% (Thieben et al., 2007)
▪ Pupillary dysfunction 3.3% (Thieben et al., 2007)
Generalized Complaint symptoms:
▪ Fatigue 48% (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Sleep disorders 31.6% (Low et al.)
▪ Headache/migraine 27.6% (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Myofascial pain 15.8% (Thieben et al., 2007)
▪ Neuropathic pain 3% (Thieben et al., 2007)
Other symptoms reported in research that are not categorized above include:
▪ Dizziness (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Tachycardia (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Exercise intolerance (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Clamminess (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Anxiety (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Flushing (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Postprandial hypotension (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Blood pooling in limbs (Grubb, 2000)
▪ Intolerance to heat (Grubb & Karas, 1999)
▪ Feeling cold all over (Grubb & Karas, 1999)
▪ Low blood pressure upon standing (Grubb, et al., 1997)
▪ Cognitive impairment (Grubb et al., 1997)
▪ Narrowing of upright pulse pressure (Jacob & Biaggioni, 1999)
▪ Cold hands & feet (Low et al.)
▪ Hypovolemia (Low et al.)
▪ Chills (Low et al.)
▪ High blood pressure (Low et al.)
▪ Hyperventilation (Low et al.)
▪ Numbness or tingling sensations (Low et al.)
▪ Reduced pulse pressure upon standing (Low et al.)
▪ Low back pain (Mathias, 2000)
▪ Aching neck and shoulders (Mathias, 2000)
▪ Noise sensitivity (Stewart, 2001)
▪ Light Sensitivity (Stewart, 2001)
▪ Disequalibrium (Low et al., 1999)
The above are symptoms reported by POTS researchers. Other symptoms sometimes reported by POTS patients include:
▪ Arrhythmias (irregular heart beats)
▪ Chemical sensitivities
▪ Easily over-stimulated
▪ Feeling full quickly
▪ Feeling "wired"
▪ Food allergies/sensitivities
▪ Hyperreflexia
▪ Irregular menstrual cycles
▪ Loss of appetite
▪ Loss of sex drive
▪ Muscle aches and/or joint pains
▪ Swollen nodules/lymph nodes
▪ Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
▪ Weight loss or gain
▪ Feeling detached from surroundings
▪ Restless leg syndrome
POTS symptoms can vary from day to day. They tend to multiply and become exaggerated upon upright posture. Blood flow and blood pressure regulation are also abnormal while supine or sitting, but these abnormalities may not be as apparent and may require orthostatic stress to become evident (Stewart & Erickson, 2002). Some patients do report symptoms occurring while sitting or lying down. Heat, exercise and eating can exacerbate symptoms. Women sometimes report an increase in symptoms around menstruation.
If you are suffering from some of the above symptoms, you need to seek professional help. Please do not attempt self-diagnosis.
*Some of the above symptoms are specifically related to orthostatic hypotension, traditionally defined as an excessive fall in BP (typically 20/10 mm Hg) on assuming the upright posture. Not all patients will experience a drop in blood pressure upon standing. Some physicians define orthostatic hypotension as a separate entity from POTS."
The above list of symptoms is courtesy of DINET.org.
