According to a story from people.com, beverage entrepreneur and former star on Real Housewives of New York City Bethenny Frankel has taken to the social media app Instagram to share her experience living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Unfortunately, it looks like the diagnosis has been a major challenge for her:
“I am messed up. I am not doing that great. I’m so dehydrated and riddled with aches and pains. I have had liters of Pedialite and water and kombucha and coconut water, and it just goes right through me…I’m bloated, swollen and I’ve gained 4 lbs in 3 days because my body is desperately hanging on to any water it can.” – Bethenny
About POTS
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that is characterized by an abrupt increase in heart rate when the patient changes from a lying position to a standing one. The cause of POTS is not well understood in all cases and can vary considerably. In some cases, it can appear as a complication related to another illness. About 50 percent of cases of POTS are associated with a recent viral infection. Other risks include low blood volume, chronic fatigue syndrome, and deconditioning during recovery from another illness. Symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, fainting, acrocyanosis, blurred vision, cognitive problems, palpitations, light-headedness, and headaches. Treatment involves a variety of medications (used off label), and lifestyle changes such as staying hydrated, increased salt intake, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and prolonged exercise, and eating food in small portions. To learn more about POTS, click here.
She noted that her condition seemed to worsen after a run in with COVID-19. Bethenny said that chronic dehydration had been an issue for her before that had gotten worse recently. She has stepped up her efforts to stay hydrated and has cut back on alcohol consumption as well.
Bethenny ended her Instagram post about POTS by calling on her followers to be understanding about differences to her appearance, as the condition has caused changes to her face.
