8 tips for showering with POTS

Living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) provides numerous challenges. POTS is a condition that causes your heart to beat faster than normal when you move from sitting or lying down to standing up. You may experience dizziness, fatigue and a rapid heart rate among other symptoms.

Bathing is commonly a challenge for people with POTS due to the prolonged time spent standing still in a hot, humid and, often, poorly ventilated space. This combination of factors can raise the risk of fatigue, fainting, dizziness and lightheadedness. To reduce these risks consider the following tips:

Shower Tips

1. Take a seat If you have a shower stall, try a shower chair or fold-down seat. In a tub/shower try a tub transfer bench.

2. Don’t overreach Make sure you have a detachable showerhead and a hook installed to place the showerhead on while you’re sitting.

3. Turn the temperature down Everyone loves a warm shower but consider slightly turning down the temperature. At the end of your shower use cooler water to aid in cooling your body faster than air alone. Consider trying to alternate cool and warm water during the shower to ‘exercise’ your blood vessels as they dilate and constrict.

4. Vent it, baby Turn on the exhaust fan or crack the door to improve air circulation.

5. Timing is everything Take your symptoms into account and plan for the best time of day for you. Many people with POTS shower at night as it allows them to go right to bed and may facilitate falling asleep. Avoid showering after a large meal, as the body is working hard to process that food. Maximize fluid and sodium intake about 30 minutes before showering to ensure appropriate preparedness.

6. Make a call Or at least be prepared to make a call, and have your phone or personal alarm nearby.

7. Be prepared Like a Boy Scout, be prepared. Have your clothes and toiletries ready ahead of time. Place your soap, shampoo and conditioner within arm's reach to avoid needing to bend or reach for items and consider pump tops on soap for efficiency.

8. Treat yourself

Pretend you’re in a fancy hotel and have a nice terrycloth robe ready to get ‘dressed’ after a shower and skip towel drying or at least sit down to towel dry yourself.

Support Group

Emily is part of our team of outpatient therapists at our Outpatient Therapies facility. She treats both adults and children with a focus on chronic conditions. Her experience as a student at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix spurred her interest in chronic conditions. Her graduate research focus is on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Emily has lived in Tucson since 2003 with breaks for graduate school and internships. She is a lover of Tucson’s community, people, culture, and our small-town feel. She loves Tucson’s mountains and likes the warm. Emily shares her thoughts and tips on her Instagram account @EmilyRichOT

Learn more about TMC outpatient therapy and the POTS support group.