People who complain of repeated dizzy spells, elevated heartbeat, or fainting after standing up from a lying position will now have their concerns better addressed by doctors. Neuropathic Postural Tachycardial Syndrome (NPTS) affects approximately 500,000 people in the U.S., primarily women between 20 and 45. Dr. Giris Jacob of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, and Dr. David Robertson of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, found that NPTS can be caused, in part, by genetic mutations or by disease that can occur after surgery, pregnancy, or an inflammatory illness. Drs. Jacob and Robertson published their findings in The New England Journal of Medicine this past fall. Dr. Julian Stewart, professor of physiology at New York Medical College, says the researchers have made significant advances in their field. "Prior to this study, many people felt this wasn't an illness of any sort, just a group of neurotic people feeling dizzy. Finding a consistent abnormality in blood flow control is very important to treating people with NPTS. Drs. Jacob and Robertson moved a great deal forward by finding an explanation first," Dr. Stewart said.
Drs. Jacob and Robertson also found that inadequate amounts of norepinephrine, the chemical responsible for blood vessel contraction, are released in the arms and legs of NPTS patients, even while resting. The next step is to study why this occurs.
Drs. Jacob and Robertson also found that inadequate amounts of norepinephrine, the chemical responsible for blood vessel contraction, are released in the arms and legs of NPTS patients, even while resting. The next step is to study why this occurs.