Photo: Contiki
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Travelling is an exciting and enriching experience, but for those with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), travelling comes with unique challenges and a long list of preparations. Long haul flights, sudden changes in temperature, dehydration and exploring on foot can all trigger symptoms – making it essential to prepare and plan ahead. Although having POTS is debilitating, it is possible to travel and see the world – just with some extra preparations!
What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, a disease of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS balances an individual’s heart rate and blood pressure to ensure blood continuously flows throughout the body at a healthy pace, no matter if you’re standing, sitting or lying down; however a person with POTS experiences an abnormal increase in heart rate when they reposition from lying down to standing as their ANS cannot balance heart rate and blood pressure appropriately.
A person with POTS experiences a variety of symptoms, including:
- Rapid heart rate increase (by 30+ beats per minute in adults, or 40+ in adolescents within 10 minutes of standing)
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or presyncope (especially when standing)
- Fatigue (often chronic or severe)
- Brain fog
- General body weakness
- Temperature regulation issues, particularly heat intolerance
POTS is common in females from 15-50 and generally develops after experiencing viral illnesses, trauma, pregnancy or autoimmune conditions, but unlike these conditions it develops after, POTS is a lifelong condition. Although POTS is not life threatening, it impacts every aspect of an individual’s life; POTS often limits a person’s ability to work, study, exercise and travel.
Alongside medical advice, with our guide, you can prepare yourself to travel the world with POTS or support someone who has POTS.
Image source:Contiki
Flying with POTS
Flying impacts everyone’s bodies, but the changes in altitude, prolonged sitting and cabin pressure associated with flying can exacerbate POTS symptoms.
Aircraft cabins are low in oxygen and humidity and with the cabin pressure being lower than sea level, there is less oxygen in an individual’s blood stream. As the air in planes is dry (10-20% humidity) this increases dehydration symptoms, lowering blood volume – something POTS patients already struggle with.
To combat these symptoms, you should:
- Book an aisle seat, or request an aisle seat at the airport as this will ensure you can get up and move around the aircraft to promote blood circulation
- Wear compression stockings or abdominal compression bands to promote blood flow
- Hydrate! Drink lots of water before, during and after your flight
- Increase your electrolyte and salt intake before and during flying to alleviate POTS symptoms. This could be by drinking effervescent electrolyte tablets such as Hydralyte, or by taking salt tablets
- Dress in layers so you can adjust based on the temperature of the cabin
- Pack salty snacks like pretzels or chips!
The POTS travel kit:
- Lots of Hydralyte (or your choice of electrolytes!). These will keep you moving and alleviate POTS symptoms
- Medications and doctor’s notes should be packed in your carry on baggage
- Wear a medical alert bracelet
- A refillable water bottle!
At your destination
- Ensure you know where the nearest hospital is should you experience symptoms beyond your normal range
- Don’t push yourself! Rest and recover as needed – travelling is supposed to be enjoyable, not exhausting!
- Choose accommodations that have comfortable rest areas.
Image source:Contiki
Things to consider when travelling with POTS
Although Euro Summer does sound appealing, consider travelling in the cooler months to avoid overheating and heat exhaustion. Choose your destination wisely as places with hot and humid weather may worsen symptoms, and high altitudes can impact your blood pressure. Ensure you are travelling to a place where healthcare is accessible – hospitals that accept travel insurance and pharmacies that stock your prescriptions. To reduce fatigue, opt for direct flights to reduce uncomfortable layovers and try to keep a consistent sleep schedule to combat fatigue and brain fog.
If you’re travelling with Contiki, let your Trip Manager know about your POTS! Although they aren’t trained medical professionals, they can help make your trip more comfortable.
You know your body best, so listen to it and rest where needed (coach days are great for this!). Travelling can sometimes be unpredictable, it’s best to have a back up plan to avoid POTS symptoms flaring up. Albeit with some added preparations and some extra salt and electrolytes, you too can experience the world with POTS like I did!
