Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Patients with POTS experience significant gastrointestinal symptoms. Current evidence suggesting that abnormal post-ganglionic sympathetic function could play a role in the pathophysiology of these GI abnormalities. Sympathetic fiber regulate motor and the postprandial GI peptides secretion. The focus of the present proposal is to determine glucose homeostasis, GI motility, and their association with GI and cardiovascular symptoms in POTS patients versus healthy controls. Furthermore, we will determine differences in these outcomes in POTS patients with and without evidence of postganglionic sympathetic fiber neuropathy. As a long-term goal, this study can lead us to understand the pathophysiology of common co-morbidities in patients with POTS to provide new treatment approaches and prevention strategies.