Hi Leah,
I went down the non-pharmacological route, for my POTS. Off the top of my head these were:-
1). Increase salt intake (iodised salt is best, if you can get it), this addresses several matters we seem to be affected by, mainly:-
Helps increase blood volume to a more normal level, so there’s plenty to circulate.
Helps keep us better hydrated – as drinking voluminous amounts of water alone does not hydrate, it just flushes through us, taking essential minerals with it.
Improves the quality of stomach acid, so that our food actually digests (instead of fermenting!) thus reducing or removing the following:-
Gastric reflux
Slow gastric emptying
Bloating
2). Wear good fitting, full-length, support hose:-
Helps stop blood pooling in the legs
Helps stop oedema from further restricting normal tissue and circulation function
Note: some people also wear an abdominal binder but I found this worsened slow gut motility.
3). Sleep with the head of the bed raised, or sleep with your head in a sitting position.
Additionally, I would increase protein intake and take Vit C regularly through the day (little and often is better than all at once). In general, I would bathe in Epsom Salts (to supplement your magnesium) and also take a good all round mineral and vitamin supplement (regularly!) to replenish any that’s lacking.
Hope some of this helps.
Regards
Barbara
(UK)