Are you struggling to find answers for your child’s POTS symptoms? If you’re like many parents we see, you’ve already been through some kind of treatment. You didn’t have a good outcome, though. Your doctor (or doctors) told you, “there’s nothing else that can be done.” We find that prognosis is rarely true.
POTS in children looks different than in adults. Did you know nearly 6.8% of children and adolescents face this challenging condition? While adult POTS affects females four times more frequently, children show an almost equal male-to-female ratio of about 1:1.1. This key difference is why your child needs specialized care.
The symptoms can be overwhelming. Dizziness affects 84% of young POTS patients, fatigue impacts 72%, orthostatic faint troubles 62.67%, and gut problems plague 40.67%. Over half of children with POTS syndrome have low blood volume—a condition that responds well to salt supplementation and proper fluid management.
At Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center, we understand what you and your child are going through. Dr. Joseph Schneider isn’t just another doctor. With over 35 years as a functional neurologist, Dr. “Joe” works alongside Joseph Quirk, our specialized exercise rehabilitation expert. Together, they’ve developed treatment approaches for all three major types of POTS—hypovolemic, neuropathic, and hyperadrenergic—each needing completely different care plans.
While other medical centers might put you on months-long waiting lists, our team offers timely, personalized care. We’ve helped thousands of children rebuild their nervous systems and get back to normal life. Your child deserves nothing less.
What You Need to Know About POTS in Children
When your child can’t stand up without feeling dizzy or their heart racing, it might be POTS. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome sounds complicated, but at Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center, we’ve helped thousands of children overcome this condition.
What exactly is POTS and how does it affect your child?
POTS is a form of dysautonomia—a dysfunction of the body’s “automatic” control system. Think of it as a glitch in the system that manages heart rate, blood pressure, and even body temperature. For children and teens, doctors diagnose POTS when heart rate jumps by 40 or more beats per minute within just 10 minutes of standing up . Adults only need a 30-beat increase—this difference matters for proper diagnosis.
POTS typically shows up during early to mid-adolescence, often right around puberty. While POTS generally affects more females than males (about 5:1), in children this gap narrows, with about two-thirds of young patients being female. Research shows that about 6.8% of children and adolescents are affected by this condition.
What triggers POTS in kids? We see several common patterns:
- Viral infections trigger more than half of cases
- Concussions and other physical injuries
- Surgery or major physical trauma
- Puberty or growth spurts
How symptoms show up in kids versus adults
POTS isn’t simple—it affects multiple body systems at once. In fact, 66% of patients report at least 10 different symptoms, 50% report 14 or more, and 30% report 26 or more symptoms. No wonder parents often feel overwhelmed!
The main signs include difficulty standing, lightheadedness, dizziness, and rapid heart rate when upright—often over 120 beats per minute. Kids also struggle with extreme fatigue, trouble concentrating (what we call “brain fog“), headaches, and stomach issues like nausea or belly pain <citation index=”8″ link=”https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots/” similar_text=”A POTS diagnosis is related to having a rapid heart rate (“tachycardia”) while in an upright position (“postural orthostatic”). The exact criteria are as follows: Children and teenagers Within first 10 minutes of standing, heart rate must increase by 40 beats per minute or more.”>.
Children face unique challenges with POTS. Many miss school, struggle with grades, can’t play sports, and lose touch with friends. Their symptoms are usually worse in the morning, making school particularly tough. Hot weather, not drinking enough water, and standing for long periods can make everything worse .
Why finding help early matters so much
Here’s some good news: POTS symptoms often improve with proper treatment. Studies show that 48% of children with POTS become symptom-free within one year with the right approach, and more than 85% get better after six years. About 19% of teens with POTS even see their symptoms disappear naturally by early adulthood.
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, though, POTS can rob your child of their normal life. They miss school, lose friends, and often develop depression and anxiety. Because POTS affects so many body systems, doctors often misdiagnose it as something else, leading to delays and wrong treatments.
At Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center, Dr. Joseph Schneider and Joseph Quirk focus on finding exactly which type of POTS your child has. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. Our approach has helped thousands of young patients rebuild their nervous systems and get back to normal activities.
Your child’s POTS doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With the right help, they can get better.
What Type of POTS Does Your Child Have?
Does your child feel weak and dizzy when standing up? Is exercise nearly impossible for them? Or do they experience trembling, headaches, and racing heart? These symptoms might point to different types of POTS. At Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center, we know that treating the right type makes all the difference.
Low Blood Volume POTS
Has your child’s doctor mentioned “hypovolemia”? This simply means low blood volume, which affects how blood returns to the heart. When your child stands up, their heart races to compensate for this reduced volume. Research shows about 30% of POTS patients have this type, but in children, this number can exceed 50%.
You might notice your child shows:
- Obvious weakness that doesn’t improve with rest
- Really poor exercise tolerance
- Symptoms that get better after drinking salt water or sports drinks
The problem often starts with how their kidneys handle salt and water. Their body basically flushes out too much sodium instead of keeping it. We find that a simple 24-hour urine test can tell us if your child will benefit from salt supplements – readings below 124 mmol are the key number to watch for.
Nerve Function POTS
Some children develop what we call “neuropathic POTS.” Don’t let the fancy name scare you – it means the nerves that control blood vessels in their legs and arms aren’t working properly. When they stand up, blood pools in their feet because those vessels can’t tighten like they should.
Look for these signs:
- Reduced sweating in hands and feet
- Blood pooling that makes hands and feet look purple or red
- Bluish discoloration of the feet when standing
Did your child have a fever, virus, surgery, or injury before their symptoms started? Many children with this type report exactly that history. Dr. Joe has seen patterns suggesting this might be a mild autoimmune problem – in fact, about 24% of these patients test positive for certain antibodies.
Adrenaline POTS
Does your child’s heart pound like they’ve just run a race when they’re simply standing up? This could be “hyperadrenergic POTS” – where their body produces too much adrenaline. We diagnose this when blood pressure jumps more than 10 mmHg within 10 minutes of standing, along with high norepinephrine levels.
This type is surprisingly common in kids – studies show over 50% of children with POTS have this pattern. These children usually experience:
- Severe dizziness, headaches, and trembling (more than other POTS types)
- High blood pressure when standing
- Heart pounding and trouble catching their breath
- Nausea and sometimes vomiting
During special testing, these children show bigger increases in both blood pressure and heart rate than other POTS patients, giving us important clues about their condition.
Most children don’t fit perfectly into just one category. That’s why our approach at Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all treatment. We carefully identify your child’s unique POTS profile before creating a personalized plan. The right treatment for one child might be completely wrong for another – knowing the difference is why our patients get better.
What You Can Do Right Now For Your Child With POTS
“While some people with POTS will require medications, most will improve with three behavioral changes alone: higher sodium (salt) intake, compression garments, and gradual exercise.” — Harvard Medical School, Leading medical institution providing health information and education
Before trying medications, there are many effective approaches you can start today. At Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center, Dr. Joseph Schneider and Joseph Quirk always begin with these foundational treatments.
Water and Salt – Your First Defense
Did you know proper fluid and salt balance forms the cornerstone of POTS treatment? Your child needs 2-3 liters of non-caffeinated fluids daily, with younger children drinking as many ounces as their weight in kilograms. Water alone isn’t enough – it must be paired with salt to keep that fluid in the bloodstream where it belongs.
Most children with POTS need 5-6 grams of salt daily, though some require up to 10 grams depending on how severe their symptoms are. You can boost salt intake through foods like deli meats, beef jerky, and ramen noodles. Salt tablets (1-gram) work too, but should be taken with meals to prevent upset stomach.
How do you know it’s working? Look for urine osmolality below 300 mmol/L or 24-hour urinary sodium above 200 mmol. These are clear signs your child’s body is retaining fluid properly.
Sleep and Daily Habits Matter
Poor sleep makes POTS worse – much worse. Children sleeping less than 8 hours daily have 5.9 times greater risk of developing POTS symptoms. Getting consistent, quality sleep isn’t just helpful – it’s essential.
Here’s a simple trick that works wonders: raise the head of your child’s bed by 4-6 inches (not just adding extra pillows). This small change helps retrain the nervous system and activates important hormones overnight that expand blood volume.
Smaller, more frequent meals help prevent blood pressure swings. Also, keeping your home at a steady temperature can prevent symptom flare-ups.
Movement is Medicine
“But my child is too tired to exercise!” We hear this all the time. While fatigue makes exercise challenging, carefully planned movement is vital for rebuilding your child’s cardiovascular system. Start with exercises that don’t require standing:
- Swimming, rowing, and recumbent biking keep orthostatic stress minimal
- Lower body and core strengthening improve blood return to the heart
- Aim for gradual progression toward 20-30 minutes of activity 3-4 times weekly
The CHOP Modified Dallas Program offers a step-by-step path from horizontal to upright exercise. Working with a physical therapist who understands POTS makes a huge difference.
Hidden Nutritional Gaps
Many children with POTS have nutritional imbalances making their symptoms worse. The most common problems we see include:
Iron deficiency (especially common in kids with POTS), vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin B1 deficiency, and vitamin D insufficiency. Magnesium also plays a key role in nerve function and blood vessel health.
Joseph Quirk emphasizes comprehensive nutritional assessment for every child we see. Finding and fixing these deficiencies can dramatically reduce symptoms – often within weeks.
You’ve probably experienced the frustration of trial-and-error medicine. Maybe your child has tried medications that didn’t help or caused side effects? Our biomarker-guided approach eliminates this guesswork.
Instead of trying different treatments hoping something works, we match your child with the specific treatments their body needs. This precision approach not only improves symptoms faster but also reduces unnecessary medications and their side effects.
The best part? Most of these biomarker tests are relatively inexpensive, non-invasive, and simple to obtain. Your child deserves care that’s both effective and accessible – and that’s exactly what we provide at Hope Brain & Body Recovery Center.
