Question:
In the serious cfs literature, frequently the symptom "orthostatic
intolerance" in mentioned.
I'm a cfids patient myself and would like to know what is meant with
"orthostatic intolerance".
Can someone explain (in detail) the signs cfs patients experience, that
indicates this symptom.
Answer:
Orthostatic intolerance is also called postural hypotension and neurally
mediated hypotension. When most people stand up their brain sends a
message to send blood up to the brain. Orthostatic intolerance, and its
other names, means that instead, the brain sends all of the blood to the
feet, where it pools and does not circulate. So we get dizzy or faint.
One form is that as soon as you stand up, especially if it is quickly,
you get dizzy. Also, standing still for more than a minute has the blood
pooling in your feet, so you get tired and faint. People wiggle their
toes, or shift their weight back and forth between feet and from heel to
toe to stop the blood from pooling and send it circulating up to the brain.
A quick explanation is that orthostatic intolerance is a type of
autonomic dysfunction. The autonomic system regulates the systems
such as heart rate, blood pressure, and so on. Orthostatic intolerance
means your body has trouble maintaining blood pressure and heart rate. A more detailed explanation can be found by following the links below:
http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/orthostatic-intolerance.asp
http://www.cfids.org/archives/2002/2002-1-lwc02.asp
http://www.cfids.org/archives/2002/2002-3-article01.asp
I do recognise this symptom (to some degree). Since I have cfs I experience
that there is something with the blood flow in the lower part of my leg/feet
(the left one for me); especially the upper side of my feet.
But this is not only when I stand up, it is always there, is this also part
of the symptoms belonging to "orthostatic intolerance"?
