Standing: A Fundamental Factor in Human Evolution and Survival

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Standing is essential to human experience and existence. Standing has played a major role in the evolution and survival of the human race. Niemitz (2010) have shown that standing was an essential activity necessary for humans in adapting to his environment. To be able to stand up means a human can use his hand freely for functional tasks like reaching, use of tools, grasping, eating, and other essential activities that have an impact on the quality of life. Hence, when a condition like postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) hinders a person from standing, the consequences are life-changing and can be disabling. The symptoms may be so devastating that usual activities of daily living can be negatively impacted. PoTS is a condition wherein …show more content…

As mentioned by Thanavaro and Thanavaro (2011), this OI is not a new clinical disorder (p. 554). In fact, as early as 1851, this clinical condition has frequently been observed in Civil War soldiers which consequently led the syndrome to be named as a “soldier’s heart” (Johnson et al., 2010, as cited in Garland et al., 2015, p. 61). As the literature on this condition grew, it came to be also known as Da Costa syndrome, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, anxiety neurosis, effort syndrome and orthostatic intolerance (Raj, 2006; Thanavaro & Thanavaro, 2011). It was in 1993 that the official nomenclature was coined by a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic (Dysautonomia International, 2012; Garland et al., 2015). It is generally agreed today that the term PoTS describes the autonomic dysfunction that occurs in response to standing (Thanavaro & Thanavaro, 2011, p. …show more content…

(2016) estimated that the prevalence of PoTS among the general population is about 0.2%. It was projected by Grubb (2008) that roughly half a million patients with this clinical condition exist in the United States alone. When one looks at the data by Pianosi, Schroeder, and Fischer (2016), one can surmise that PoTS has a predilection for women. Garland et al. (2015) reported that the female to male ratio is about 4-5:1 (p. 61). The higher prevalence in women has no clear explanation. However, Garland et al. (2015) suggested that a smaller upright stroke volume in women may be the plausible explanation why females are more affected than

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