Mitral Valve Prolapse: Is It The Valve or Something Else?

Each time your heart beats, it fills with blood and then pumps the blood out, either to the lungs to get oxygen or out to the body after getting oxygen from the lungs. The heart has valves that allow blood to flow between the four chambers. When those valves don't work properly, blood doesn't flow where it needs to go and this causes a variety of issues.

One common problem when the mitral valve doesn't work right is called mitral regurgitation, backflow of blood through the mitral valve. In this case,  the flaps of the mitral valve fail to close together just right, allowing blood to leak backward into the upper atrium (chamber). Another common valve problem is stenosis.  Stenosis means that the valve tissue has thickened or becomes stiff, which also interferes with proper opening and closing, and can block or limit blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body.

Both regurgitation and stenosis can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness, improper blood flow to and from the extremities, and other things, However, sometimes when there are symptoms of regurgitation or stenosis but it's not clear what's really going on, these symptoms get termed MVP syndrome or 'mitral valve prolapse syndrome'. This 'syndrome'  is often actually describing an autonomic disorder such as dysautonomia, in which a dysfunctioning autonomic nervous system is causing the improper blood flow, valve operation and other malfunctions.

On a positive note, many autonomic disorders can be treated with a variety of natural, non-surgical methods and often with very good results. So, if you're having symptoms of MVP, the most important thing to assess is whether the valve(s) are actually damaged or malfunctioning in a way that absolutely requires surgery--or is it something that is more related to the autonomic nervous system that needs to be addressed in a different way? In almost every case, if you have MVP syndrome or related symptoms,  it makes sense to get a second opinion from an MVP syndrome doctor before having the surgery. 

Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC Birmingham, AL are experts at helping accurately diagnose dysautonomia, POTS and other related conditions, and they can help you get that qualified second opinion that may keep you from having to have surgery and help you get better faster. Call today for an appointment at 205-286-3200. You'll be very glad you did.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Treatment for POTS & MVP Symptoms--What People Are Doing About It Now

POTS can be a really aggravating condition that adds daily doses of fatigue, insomnia, pain, depression, anxiety and of course, lightheadedness. Mitral valve prolapse, which can also have lightheadedness as a symptom, is often found to be the result of POTS and not an actual prolapsed or poorly functioning mitral valve. 

 

But what are people doing now to alleviate or at least improve the symptoms? A lot of physicians will prescribe drugs to alleviate some of these symptoms and some do work pretty well. Here's a short list of what a lot of POTS patients are taking for various symptoms:

Modafinil, Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine for Fatigue

Amitriptyline, Melatonin, Zolpidem for Insomnia

Tramadol, Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen for Pain

Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Duloxetine for Depressed Mood

Alprazolam, Diazepam, Clonazepam  for Anxious Mood

There are quite a few other drugs that are commonly prescribed for POTS symptoms, but these are some of the most common, with measurable symptom improvements. There are other more natural POTS  approaches, as well, and other physicians will use these instead of drugs or in conjunction with them:

Diet and Exercise--can help with fatigue, insomnia, pain as well as mood management

 

Salt Shots--adding extra sodium to the diet can combat the common low blood pressure and help with lightheadedness, fatigue, etc.

 

Compression Stockings---these are specially-designed stockings that help prevent pooling of blood in the legs and reduce lightheadedness and other symptoms.

 

Vitamin & Herbs--there are various natural vitamin supplement regimens that can target possible deficiencies and reduce symptoms as the body's levels increase.

The best way to figure out which way to go, natural, drug therapy or a combination is to visit a POTS treatment center. Through proper testing, POTS doctors can figure out what is the best way to get you feeling better in the shortest amount of time. A great example of a modern POTS treatment center is Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL. 

Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring more than 40 years of solid autonomic disorder treatment experience to their patients on a daily basis, and often get results when no one else has been able to. Call Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC for an appointment and find out today what is your fast track to feeling better!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200