Importance Of Hydration

  • Staying hydrated is not an easy task for many who have POTS!

  • The combination of hypovolemia (low blood volume) for some, blood pooling (leading to a downward displacement of blood), pressure changes that can trick the kidneys into retaining less sodium and water, and reduced blood flow toward the brain, significantly impacts individuals with POTS and other forms of dysautonomia such as orthostatic hypotension (Bryarly et al., 2019; Snapper et al., 2022).

  • Researchers have recognized that the kidneys can also contribute to increased symptoms and symptom severity in individuals with POTS given how decreased stroke volume and lower subsequent central blood pressure, can lead to the excretion of more fluid when someone shouldn’t be (seen in those with POTS as paradoxical diuresis) and low blood volume (hypovolemia) (Coleby, 2022).

Contributions made by: Katie Mednick, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Expert

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Sources:

Bryarly, M., Phillips, L. T., Fu, Q., Vernino, S., & Levine, B. D. (2019). Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: JACC Focus Seminar. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(10). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.059

Coleby, C. (2022, October). Non-Pharmacologic Treatment Overview. POTS & Beyond. Salt Lake City; Utah.

Snapper, H., & Cheshire, W. P. (2022). Oral and intravenous hydration in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension and postural tachycardia syndrome. Autonomic Neuroscience, 238, 102951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2022.102951