Ehlers-Lyme Disease Syndrome (POTS)

Secondary POTS means that there is an underlying cause for the symptoms that occur leading to damaged nerves. Secondary causes include anemia, adrenal disorders, Ehlers-Danlos, Lyme Disease, tumors, and many others. Anemia can show symptoms of POTS. Problems with the adrenal gland, which produces the stress hormone cortisol and other hormones that maintain adequate salt and water in the body, can lead to orthostatic symptoms and low blood pressure. Ehlers-Dalos in a genetic disorder that affects the tissue, blood vessels, and joints. It is thought that weak blood vessels result in blood pooling in the lower extremities. Sometimes after a patient contracts Lyme disease, they develop what is called post-Lyme disease syndrome. Some patients that suffer from this are noted to suffer from POTS. Tumors called pheochromocytoma produce excess levels of nor-epinephrin which causes symptoms of POTS. Other tumors such as neuroblastoma
Neuropathic, meaning nerve disease, is the most common type of POTS. The nerves that go to the blood vessels in the lower extremities (sympathetic nerves) are why the vessels tighten up and send the blood back up to the heart. When a person has POTS, the nerves in the lower extremities do not work properly and do not squeeze the blood back up to the heart causing blood pooling in the lower extremities. Thus, causing dizziness (orthostasis), fainting, and increased heart rate (tachycardia). Hyperadrenergic means too much adrenaline. POTS patients that are hyperadrenergic have high levels of norepinephrine in their blood. This causes an increased heart rate and blood pressure (“Types of POTS