Doctors warn of possible rise of debilitating nervous-system disorder in patients with long COVID-19 – CTV
October 7, 2021
TORONTO — Doctors are warning of the possibility of a surge in cases of a debilitating nervous-system disorder that may be associated with long COVID.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, which is an umbrella term used to describe several medical conditions that cause the autonomic nervous system to malfunction. The autonomic nervous system controls the body’s “automatic” functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, kidney function, and temperature control.
In cases of POTS, specifically, patients’ blood flow is affected and they can experience light-headedness, fainting, chest pains, shortness of breath, and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat after standing up.
Dr. Juan Guzman, who specializes in the condition and is the director of the Syncope and Cardiovascular Autonomic Disorders Unit at Hamilton Health Sciences, said POTS is one of the most common forms of dysautonomia.
