It starts innocently enough—a viral infection that seems to run its course. You rest, recover, and get back to life. But something feels off. Weeks or months later, even simple activities—like climbing the stairs or unloading groceries—leave you light-headed, shaky, or completely wiped out.
Your heart races when you stand up. Your brain feels foggy. Exercise, which used to energize you, now makes you crash.
You go to your doctor. The bloodwork looks “normal.” Maybe you’re told it’s stress or anxiety. But deep down, you know it’s not that simple.
You might be dealing with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)—a type of post-viral dysautonomia, or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, that often develops after a viral infection.
What Is Post-Viral Dysautonomia (POTS)?
The autonomic nervous system acts like your body’s autopilot—controlling heart rate, digestion, temperature, and blood vessel tone.
After a viral illness, inflammation and immune disruption can cause this system to malfunction.
In POTS, when you stand up, blood pools in your legs instead of returning efficiently to your brain. Your heart races to compensate—sometimes jumping 30 beats per minute or more—leading to dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, and “crashes” after light activity.
Common POTS Symptoms:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Palpitations
- Exercise intolerance or post-exertional “crashes”
- Nausea or gut discomfort
- Feeling worse in heat or after meals
Why POTS Often Follows COVID or Other Viral Infections\
Post-viral dysautonomia isn’t new—it’s been documented for decades after infections like Epstein-Barr, mononucleosis, and influenza. But since COVID-19, it’s become much more common.
Viral infections can trigger inflammation that affects small nerve fibers and disrupts autonomic signaling. For some, this leads to lingering immune activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and vascular dysregulation—the perfect storm for POTS symptoms.
Women between 30 and 50 are most often affected, particularly those who were previously fit or high-performing. And because routine labs often look normal, many are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression for months—or years—before getting the right diagnosis.
How Functional Medicine Helps You Recover from Post-Viral POTS
While there’s no single “cure,” recovery from post-viral POTS is absolutely possible. Functional medicine focuses on restoring balance to the autonomic nervous system by addressing the root drivers of dysfunction.
1. Rebuild Circulatory Stability
- Gradual, structured recumbent exercise (like rowing or recumbent cycling) to recondition blood vessel tone.
- Hydration and electrolytes (including added salt when appropriate) to increase blood volume.
- Compression garments to prevent blood pooling in the lower body.
2. Support Cellular Energy & Healing
- Assess mitochondrial function and key nutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10, and L-carnitine.
- Optimize sleep, circadian rhythm, and adrenal function.
- Address lingering viral or inflammatory triggers through targeted detoxification and immune support.
3. Calm and Rewire the Nervous System
- Vagus nerve stimulation, breathwork, and mindfulness to strengthen parasympathetic tone.
- Gentle movement practices like yoga or tai chi to rebuild neurovascular coordination.
Recovery Is Possible
If you’ve been dismissed with “normal labs” but still experience persistent fatigue, dizziness, or brain fog after a viral illness, don’t settle for vague answers.
Post-viral POTS and dysautonomia are real—and treatable once properly recognized.
Functional medicine offers a path to recovery by rebuilding energy production, nervous system regulation, and vascular health from the inside out.
At Resolve Medical, we specialize in uncovering the underlying causes of post-viral fatigue and autonomic dysfunction to help patients regain clarity, energy, and stability.
👉 Schedule a free discovery call to learn how a personalized longevity and recovery plan can help you get your life back.
