Orthostatic intolerance
Overview
A condition where various symptoms occur when a person moves to an upright position such as standing after sitting down or sitting up after lying down. It is due to problems with blood flow, blood pressure and heart rate
Symptoms
* Low blood pressure * Lightheadedness * Headache * Fatigue * Vision anomalies
Diagnosis
many patients have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and either untreated or treated for other disorders. Current tests for OI (tilt-testing, autonomic assessment, and vascular integrity) can also specify and simplify treatment
Treatment
Most patients experience an improvement of their symptoms, but for some, OI can be gravely disabling and can be progressive in nature, particularly if it is caused by an underlying condition which is deteriorating. The ways in which symptoms present themselves vary greatly from patient to patient; as a result, individualized treatment plans are necessary