Definition:
Orthostatic intolerance is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which occurs when a person stands up.
Diagnosis:
The disorder is difficult to diagnose resulting to many patients being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Doctors currently test patients through tilt-testing, autonomic assessment, and vascular integrity. These tests can also aid in specifying and simplifying treatment.
Treatment:
Symptoms of patients are varied thus treatment are customized for each patient. However, the treatment only controls the symptoms and does not cure the disorder.
Patients may also be prescribed with medications, although their responses to the medications are varied. Patients should also avoid activities that trigger the disorder such as prolonged upright posture or use of postural maneuvers and pressure garments.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms may be due to long periods of standing in line, standing in a shower, or even sitting at a desk; inadequate intake of fluid and salt; a warm environment after exercise; or experiencing emotionally stressful events. Individuals may experience lightheadedness, headache, fatigue, or altered vision.
Causes:
People with the disorder do not have the basic mechanisms to compensate their deficiency in the maintain blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and consciousness when standing upright during long periods.
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