Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a medical condition. This article explores the connection between POTS and numbness.
What is POTS?
POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates essential bodily functions not under conscious control, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature. It is characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate when moving from a lying or sitting position to standing. Specifically, adults with POTS experience a heart rate increase of at least 30 beats per minute (bpm) within 10 minutes of standing, or a heart rate exceeding 120 bpm, without a significant drop in blood pressure. For adolescents, the increase is at least 40 bpm.
This condition primarily affects young women between the ages of 15 and 50, though it can impact individuals of any age and gender. Impaired blood flow regulation causes various symptoms that can affect daily life.
Is Numbness a POTS Symptom?
Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations, medically known as paresthesia, can be experienced by individuals with POTS. While not a primary or universally present symptom, many POTS patients report these sensory disturbances. These sensations can vary in intensity and may affect different parts of the body, including the hands, feet, and even the face.
Surveys show paresthesia in the hands and feet is common. One study found 76% of patients reported tingling in their hands, 67% in their feet, 65% experienced hand numbness, and 58% foot numbness. These sensory changes are often described as burning, prickly, or a general lack of sensation. The presence of numbness can sometimes suggest underlying small fiber neuropathy, a condition that can overlap with POTS.
Why Numbness Occurs in POTS
Numbness in POTS patients can result from several physiological mechanisms related to the condition’s impact on blood circulation and nerve function. When a person with POTS stands up, gravity causes an abnormal pooling of blood in the lower extremities, such as the legs and feet. This excessive blood pooling means less blood returns to the heart and, consequently, to the brain and other parts of the body. Reduced blood flow to the extremities can deprive peripheral nerves of adequate oxygen and nutrients, leading to sensations of numbness or tingling.
The dysfunctional autonomic nervous system in POTS struggles to properly constrict blood vessels, which normally helps to prevent blood from pooling when upright. This impaired vasoconstriction can exacerbate the issue of reduced blood circulation in the limbs. The pooling of blood can also lead to direct compression of nerves, contributing to numbness.
Small fiber neuropathy, involving damage to small nerve fibers, is also linked to numbness in POTS patients. Neuropathic POTS, a subtype, is associated with damage to these small fibers, particularly in the legs, which impacts blood vessel constriction. This nerve damage can manifest as numbness, burning, or tingling sensations, particularly in the hands and feet. Approximately 50% of POTS patients may have small fiber neuropathy.
Seeking Medical Guidance for Numbness
Experiencing numbness, especially with POTS or suspected POTS, warrants medical evaluation. While numbness can be a POTS symptom, it may also indicate other medical conditions requiring distinct diagnoses and treatments. Consulting a healthcare professional ensures the exact cause of the numbness is identified.
It is important to report any new or worsening numbness to your doctor. A thorough evaluation can help differentiate POTS-related numbness from other potential neurological issues. Proper diagnosis allows for the development of an effective management plan, which may include adjustments to current POTS treatments or addressing other underlying causes.