The Struggles With POTS That You Can’t Always See

That person you see standing in line at the grocery store who has POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)—you can’t *see* the blood that’s getting stuck in their legs and that not enough of it is getting to their heart and brain.

Your colleague, employee, or classmate who is just sitting at their desk next to you—you can’t *see* how hard they might be trying to concentrate because of brain fog, since not enough blood is getting to their brain. 

Or your friend or family member at a social gathering—you can’t *see* how much their heart is racing when they’re standing there trying to have a conversation.

You don’t see the amount of time someone with POTS is spending just getting fluids and electrolytes into their body every day. It’s like a full-time job. 

And you can’t see their digestive tract slowing down or speeding up, causing horrible pain. 

When symptoms do show, they aren’t exaggerating. Some aren’t able to work, attend school, social gatherings, or go to the grocery store. You might notice some using mobility aids. POTS looks different for everyone, and symptoms can change day to day.

All of this just barely scratches the surface. There’s so much more when it comes to POTS that you just can’t see. But it’s real, and it can be absolutely devastating, even when you think someone looks just fine on the outside.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as behavioral health or medical advice. It is not intended or implied to supplement or replace treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis from your own qualified healthcare provider.