Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome a Disability?

Analyzing the Symptoms and Their Effects

Did you know that some health conditions occur when you change your posture? A common example is the postural tachycardia associated with a change in heart rate by standing up. According to The Texas Heart Institute Journal, nearly 500,000 to 1,000,000 people living in the United States live with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Although it is a non-life-threatening condition, the quality of life of many people is affected. But is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability? Is there a cure for the condition? Such questions need to be addressed.

In this article, the question of “Is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability” will be addressed to find a suitable answer.

What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS is the condition in which a person’s heart rate elevates with the change of their posture. As the name suggests, the condition is associated with the posture of your body when to transition from a sitting position to an orthostatic or standing state.

What Causes the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome?

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to know its causes. In general, whenever we move or change our posture, our autonomic nervous system adjusts our blood pressure in the blood vessels as well as heart rate in such a way that the blood flow remains normal. In the case of a person who is experiencing postural orthostatic tachycardia, this coordination is disturbed.

As a result, the heart rate increases. Therefore, it can be said that postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is one of the autonomic nervous system disorders.

Types of POTS

Commonly, POTS is of three types:

1.      Neuropathic POTS

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is essential to learn about its types. In this regard, autonomic neuropathy happens when the peripheral nerves are damaged. This causes the pattern of contraction and relaxation of the blood vessels in the legs and the abdomen to disrupt thus generating the POTS symptoms.

2.      Hypovolemic POTS

Hypovolemic POTS happens due to poor blood circulation.

3.      Hyperadrenergic POTS

Hyperadrenergic POTS occurs when the patient’s nervous system is in hyperactive mode. In addition, the levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine are raised.

Who is at Risk of Developing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome?

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to know who is at greater risk of POTS. People most affected by postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome have any of the following conditions which increase the likelihood of the condition:

• Pregnancy
• Physical trauma or injury
• Post-surgical state
• Viral infections
• Celiac disease
• Lupus
• Sjogren’s syndrome

Women are more likely to get affected with POTS as compared to men, especially between the ages of 15 to 50 years.

Symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

In the case of learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is also important to know its symptoms. In this regard, the following POTS symptoms are common to occur:

• Palpitations or increased heart rate
• Chronic headache
• Bloating
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty
• Brain fog and difficulty in concentrating on daily tasks
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Muscle weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Long-lasting fatigue
• Excessive sweating
• Blood pooling
• Improper circulation
• Purplish coloration of hands and feet when they are below the level of your heart
• Fainting

Which Factors Worsen POTS?

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is essential to know the factors in your daily life which can worsen this condition. These include the following:

• Doing strenuous exercise
• Standing or sitting for too long
• Taking a hot shower
• Prolonged exposure to the sun on a hot day
• Menstruation
• Suffering from a cold or an infection
• Standing up too frequently
• Alcohol consumption
• Eating large portions of food

How to Diagnose POTS?

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, you need to keep in mind the tests that are used for its diagnosis. However, in some cases, it becomes difficult to make an exact diagnosis because the symptoms occur over time. Therefore, the best thing you need to do is to record your symptoms and make a list before visiting your healthcare provider. This will help them evaluate your condition better.

After taking your medical and work history, your doctor will move to a physical examination. In this regard, the main test is the tilt table test. This test is based on measuring your blood pressure while you change your posture and position.

For further confirmation of your POTS diagnosis, you will also need to take some other tests so that the cause of the condition can be found. While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to know these tests which include the following:

• Blood test
• Urine analysis
• Tuberculin skin test (TST)
• Skin nerve biopsy
• Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)
• Echocardiogram
• Hemodynamic studies to evaluate the blood volume

Tilt Table Test

The tilt table test is the main diagnostic test which is performed for the detection of POTS. Therefore, while learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to learn about this test.

It involves the use of a special bed which can be tilted at an angle to represent the standing position. The patient is first laid down on the table and parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac rhythm are calculated.

Then, the table is tilted in a way that a position similar to standing is achieved. At this stage, the cardiac parameters are again checked and compared with the previous ones. The difference in the values will indicate the presence or absence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

However, in the absence of a special table used for the tilt table test, your doctor may ask you to manually change your position so that the parameters can be evaluated in both seated as well as standing positions.

Treatment Plan

While understanding is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is also essential to keep in mind that the condition does not have any treatment. The only thing you can do is to manage its symptoms. For this purpose, you must focus on the following:

Exercise Regularly

Doing some exercise on a regular basis is beneficial for POTS. This includes doing swimming, recumbent bicycling, or rowing so that your core can become strong.

You can also walk and track your steps while doing so. Estimate how many steps you can take without getting POTS symptoms. In addition, you can also start doing yoga for breathing issues.

Focus on Diet and Nutrition

Diet can fix most of the symptoms if you focus on what to eat and how much to eat. In case of low blood volume which can cause hypovolemic POTS, your doctor might recommend you to take salt tablets or increase the intake of table salt.

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to learn that you should take smaller portions and increase your fluid and water intake. You should also consume a lot of fibrous foods to reduce the blood glucose spikes.

Medications for POTS

Some off-the-label medications are available for the treatment of POTS symptoms which include the following:

• Pyridostigmine (to reduce the elevated heart rate)
• Fludrocortisone (to increase salt in the blood which then increases the blood volume)
• Midodrine (to cause constriction of blood vessels)
• Beta-blockers (for the management of tachycardia)

Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome a Disability?

Yes, POTS can be considered a disability. While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is essential to keep in mind that postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a disorder associated with the autonomic nervous system (ANS). That’s why it is termed as a type of dysautonomia.

It can happen frequently and thus significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. The condition is also known to restrict many physical activities that a person might want to do or have to do due to their job. Hence, for the management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, people need to change the way they move, the meals they have, as well as their day-to-day activities.

In addition, despite itself being a non-life-threatening condition, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome can even worsen with time to cause more severe issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF) which can be life-threatening.

Because of these reasons, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome can be considered a disability.

Can I File a Claim for Disability Benefits if I have POTS?

Yes, even though POTS is not included in the SSA Blue Book, you can still file a disability claim if you have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. For this, your insurance company will demand proof of your symptoms as well as medical records related to your diagnosis.

You will also need to provide strong medical evidence that your condition interferes with your day-to-day activities at work and often hinders your performance. Hence, while learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to keep the documentation stage in mind.

How to Get My Symptoms Documented for Social Security Disability Insurance?

When POTS patients file for Social Security disability insurance, they are required to submit a detailed report of their symptoms after consulting a cardiologist. This might be the most difficult stage while learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability and how to get it documented as some of the symptoms associated with this medical condition are often self-reported and cannot be diagnosed by the physician.

These include symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, etc. However, in the presence of other debilitating symptoms, the diagnosis becomes easier for the doctor. Therefore, for some patients, claiming Social Security disability benefits becomes challenging as the Social Security administration might feel that the patient is exaggerating their symptoms.

Hence, there is a need to get yourself checked by a cooperative and experienced healthcare provider who can diagnose the condition properly. In addition, along with thorough medical documentation, the services of experienced disability lawyers and legal professionals are also required to handle the disability application process.

What if My Symptoms Are Not Enough for Claiming SSDI Benefits?

While learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to know that if your symptoms are not providing enough data needed to get social security benefits, the insurance company might not consider you eligible for financial assistance. In such a scenario, other symptoms and tests should be conducted.

In some patients, POTS affects the body in a way to causes muscle weakness, chronic pain, as well as exercise-induced fatigue. In this condition, functional capacity evaluation (FCE) should be done which helps determine the patient’s physical activity and function. This documentation, along with other detailed medical records, will also help you get long-term disability insurance.

In addition, brain fog and other cognitive symptoms associated with the chronic condition of POTS can be confirmed by neuropsychological evaluation. This includes checking the patient’s memory, verbal functionality, attention span, etc.

Can Vocational Assessment Help in Getting Disability Insurance Benefits?

Yes, along with all the records of your medical conditions, your insurance company will also require you to provide a detailed description of the nature of your job. This is essential as it helps the company evaluate if your work environment is even triggering your POTS condition.

If your job requires you to stand up or sit straight for prolonged periods, this is an indication that your symptoms can indeed aggravate while working in such an environment. Hence, while learning is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is important to focus on the vocational assessment documentation.

All different kinds of medical devices, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out the wide range of instruments and devices for the diagnosis and management of blood pressure and other heart issues.

Bottom Line

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a condition that is associated with multiple symptoms affecting a person’s quality of life. These compromise a person’s health as well as their work life.

While understanding is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a disability, it is essential to know that it can be considered a disability. Therefore, a person can qualify for social security insurance. With proper aid and management of the condition, the person can live a balanced life.

For purchasing top-quality medical products, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7046364/#:~:text=The%20prevalence%20of%20POTS%20is,United%20States%20have%20the%20disorder.