Eating to Defy Gravity: the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet

If you are dealing with POTS, you know what a struggle getting through each day can be. You need to worry about how to get up and move throughout the day. You are not able to live a normal life. You would feel so much more comfortable just being on the ground; and lying there rather than trying to get up; and start to feel so sick. But life is passing by and the best way to deal with POTS is to get the right treatment as soon as possible.

One of the best things that you can do in order to deal with POTS is to follow the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet. This kind of diet is a little bit different compared to some of the other diets you may hear about; but it is meant to help those suffering from POTS to get the help that they need to start feeling better.

When you are ready to get your symptoms under control and to feel better overall; follow these suggestions for being on the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet.

Increased salt and fluid intake

The first think that you should do with the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet is to increase the amount of salt; and fluids you are taking in. This helps to increase the volume of your blood, something that is really low in those suffering from POTS. Increasing these two things is also helpful in POTS patients who are also dealing with hypotension, hypovolemia, and blood pooling. The recommendation is that you take in at least two liters of water; and at least three grams in salt each day.

Smaller meals

The next recommendation for following the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet is to take in smaller meals. When you eat, a lot of your blood will be directed to the stomach; in order to help out with the digestion process. For most people, this is not that big of a deal and they can continue on with other activities. But for those suffering from POTS; this is going to make the issue worse; especially if they eat a meal that is large. You should consider having smaller meals to distribute the blood more evenly.

Lean protein and lower carbs

Those who are dealing with POTS and notice that their symptoms are getting worse when they are done; with eating may find that eating fewer carbs; or at least the simple carbs like flours and sugars; can make the symptoms worse. This is why the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet recommends that you eat more lean protein during the meals; such as milk, salmon, chicken without skin; and yogurt instead. These keep the blood sugars even and helps you to feel so much better after eating.

Examine your reaction to different substances

There are some people who deal with POTS that cannot take in gluten, dairy, or caffeine. When the individual takes in these ingredients, they become sick and the symptoms will become worse. It is important to take a look at the foods; you are consuming to determine if they are making the symptoms worse. A good idea for doing this is to eliminate all of them at once. If you start to feel better, you know one is the culprit. If you add one back in and the symptoms come back; you know that one is a problem in the diet.

Avoid the alcohol

Drinking any amount of alcohol can make the symptoms of POTS worse. This is because alcohol is going to dehydrate the body and will make the blood pressure worse.

Exercise

While this is not technically with food in the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Diet; it is still a good idea to get in plenty. Patients who reported working out on a regular basis as well as following the diet above are more likely to get a complete recovery of their POTS symptoms over time compared to those who ignored advice; and saw their symptoms get worse. Take the exercise slowly and listen to your body. You will often be able to tell when you have had too much and should stop. Build up slowly for the best results.