The primary goal of functional medicine pediatrics is to identify root causes and address the underlying concerns related to your child’s health and well-being. If you’re noticing physical and behavioral changes in your child, natural pediatrics is the ideal path to pursue real answers, clarity, and solutions. One of the many areas we specialize in is PANDAS and PANS. Read on to have your questions answered and learn more about how we can help.
What is PANS?
A child with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) experiences sudden and often severe OCD symptoms, usually alongside changes in behavior, mood, and even motor functions.
What triggers PANS? While the exact causes of PANS are unknown, a working theory among researchers suggests that it may be an autoimmune response that begins attacking healthy brain tissue. Infections and other environmental factors may also play a part in the onset of PANS.
What is PANDAS?
While PANS is an umbrella term, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) is a subtype characterized by similar symptoms that is believed to be directly related to a strep infection.
What are the most common PANDAS and PANS symptoms?
The two main symptoms of PANS include obsessions (recurring and uncontrollable thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive urges and behaviors). Both PANS and PANDAS symptoms occur before the child reaches puberty, usually between the ages of 3 and 10.
Additional Symptoms:
- Restrictive eating
- Motor or vocal tics
- Irritability, mood swings, rage episodes
- Anxiety/depression
- Unusual separation anxiety
- Sudden changes in handwriting
- New bedwetting, changes in sleep patterns
Key Takeaway: Many children with OCD, tics, hyperactivity, and other behavioral symptoms can develop a strep infection multiple times a year, but this doesn’t indicate a PANDAS diagnosis. PANS and PANDAS are most notably characterized by sudden and severe symptom onset, without warning or explanation.
Are PANDAS symptoms worse at night?
Because this sudden onset of OCD-like symptoms can cause daytime fatigue and trouble sleeping at night, nighttime can be particularly challenging for some children with PANS, which can further exacerbate irritability and anxiety.
How are PANS/PANDAS different from OCD?
Typical OCD symptoms develop over a period of time, usually over weeks, months, or even years. Children with PANS or PANDAS experience a very sudden onset of symptoms (sometimes literally overnight) and can go through waves of improvement and flare-ups based on treatments and periods of sickness.
How can you get a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis for our child?
For a PANS diagnosis, the child must meet the following criteria:
- Sudden onset of OCD behaviors (obsessions, compulsions, restrictive eating)
- Sudden onset of at least two other neuropsychiatric symptoms (mood swings, rage episodes, sensory issues, motor tics, drop in school performance, etc.)
- No better explanation or known condition for these symptoms
A PANDAS diagnosis is even more difficult, requiring the child to meet these 5 criteria:
- OCD-like symptoms, tic disorder, or both
- Symptom onset occurred before the child reaches puberty
- Sudden symptoms or episodes that go away and come back with worsening severity
- Recent history of a strep infection (within three months of symptoms onset)
- Hyperactivity or unusual movements that the child can’t control
How to treat PANDAS and PANS: Are there any natural options?
Traditional doctors will prescribe medications and therapy for children with PANS/PANDAS, but often fail to ask the question: why is the immune system deregulated in the first place? Natural pediatrics approaches your child’s health through a functional medicine lens, using comprehensive testing, anti-inflammatory diets, lifestyle changes, and strategies to calm the nervous system.
Medication is sometimes necessary, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing that can help your child.
Read More: How Functional Medicine Helps Children With PANS And PANDAS
Elite Personalized Medicine: Natural Pediatrics in Atlanta GA
Our natural pediatric specialists offer PANDAS and PANS care and treatment for the Greater Atlanta area, with telehealth options and in-person visits at our Peachtree Corners and Dacula locations. Call (770) 416-1070 or request an appointment online today!
