Does POTS cause hair loss?
POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a type of abnormality that affects the autonomic nervous system. This can result in a range of symptoms. One potential symptom is hair loss, though it is not as widely discussed as other POTS-related issues.
What is POTS?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is an autonomic disorder that affects the bodies’ cardiovascular system, ventilation, and thermoregulation when in an upright position. Those with POTS may experience symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Heat intolerance
- Cold intolerance
- Sensitivity to changes in temperature
In extreme cases, people with POTS may be unable to stand upright.
Does POTS cause hair loss?
Hair loss is not a commonly discussed symptom of POTS, but it has been reported by some people with this condition. Those who have reported hair loss often describe it as thinning of the hair on their head and/or noticeable shedding from the scalp.
The exact cause of hair loss in POTS is not yet known. It is possible that liquid imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and other medical conditions that are associated with POTS may be contributing factors.
It is also possible that the hair loss may be caused by extreme fatigue that is associated with POTS. People with this condition may have difficulty sustaining energy levels due to their blood pressure changes. This could make it difficult for the cells in the scalp to get the necessary nutrients and oxygen.
Conclusion
POTS is thought to be caused by a dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system. The exact cause of these malfunctions is still unknown, though there are a wide range of suspected contributing factors. Hair loss, however, is not a widely discussed symptom associated with this condition. That being said, it has been reported by some and may be associated with other related symptoms, such as fatigue, imbalances in the body’s fluids, and nutritional deficiencies. For now, more research is needed to gain a better understanding of POTS and the ways it may affect the body.
