PANS / PANDAS:
Helping your child regain their health.
PANS and PANDAS are conditions that involve sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children. These disorders can severely impact a child’s mental and emotional well-being, leading to a range of challenges for both the affected individuals and their families. Often, traditional medicine practitioners want to mask symptoms with prescriptions, but our focus is getting to the root cause of the problem so your child and your family can resume natural, healthy lives.
At a Glance: PANS/PANDAS
Definition:
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are conditions characterized by sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in children, including obsessive-compulsive behaviors, tics, and severe anxiety. These symptoms often emerge following an infection, mold exposure, or a significant stressor, impacting daily functioning and quality of life.
Causes:
PANS/PANDAS is primarily triggered by infections, particularly streptococcal bacteria, but can also be associated with other viral infections, Lyme Disease, Mycoplasma, or environmental factors such as mold. The immune response to these infections may mistakenly target brain cells, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Genetic predispositions and environmental stressors can further exacerbate the onset and severity of these conditions.,
Concern:
Children with PANS/PANDAS may experience debilitating symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties. If untreated, these conditions can lead to long-term psychological issues, academic struggles, and impaired social interactions. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to mitigate these risks and support recovery, yet awareness and understanding among healthcare providers can be lacking.
Western Medicine Disconnections:
Western medicine often relies on antibiotics or psychiatric medications, which may provide temporary relief but fail to address underlying immune dysfunction. Many healthcare practitioners do not recognize PANS/PANDAS as a legitimate diagnosis, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment plans. As a result, children may suffer prolonged symptoms and a lack of comprehensive care that addresses the root causes of their condition.
PANS or PANDAS: Which is which?
While PANDAS is specifically linked to streptococcal infections, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) encompasses a broader range of potential triggers, including infections, metabolic disturbances, and environmental factors. Both conditions are characterized by abrupt changes in behavior and mental functioning, which can be bewildering for families who are often left searching for answers.
Symptoms of PANS/PANDAS
Children affected by PANS or PANDAS can experience a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity and duration. Common symptoms include:
1. Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors (OCD)
Children may develop Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or sudden onset of OCD such as excessive handwashing, counting or contamination fears that disrupt their daily routines. Anxiety, mood swings, separation anxiety, or panic episodes are also common.
2. Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety levels can skyrocket, often leading to panic attacks. Children may become excessively worried about mundane situations.
3. Mood Swings
Rapid mood changes, including irritability, aggression, rage, hyperactivity or emotional lability are all common. These can make it difficult for parents and caregivers to manage interactions. Your child may also start using baby talk, or clingy behavior.
4. Decline in Academic Performance
Cognitive functions can be impaired, leading to a noticeable decline in school performance. Children may struggle to concentrate or complete assignments. You might notice new trouble with memory, reading, or math.
5. Tics and Movement Disorders
Many children develop motor tics or vocal tics, which can be distressing for both the child and their family.
6. Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns are common, which can exacerbate other symptoms and affect the child’s overall health. Night terrors and sleeping walking are not unusual as well.
7. Physical Symptoms
Some children experience physical complaints such as joint pain, abdominal pain, or fatigue, which can be perplexing since they may not correlate with any visible illness. Children may experience sudden difficulty with handwriting or other fine motor skills. Bedwetting or frequent daytime urination and sleep disturbances are not uncommon.
8. Sensory issues:
Some children experience sensitivity to light, sound, smell or taste. Related, your child may begin to demonstrate restrictive eating habits, selective eating, or refusal of food.
9. Allergies and Digestive Complaints:
Some children with PANS/PANDAS have increased food sensitivities, seasonal allergies, high histamine levels, rashes, and irritable bowel symptoms. These may seem unrelated but are actually a part of the condition.
“My patients with PANS/PANDAS are often left feeling isolated and dismissed. I understand that these conditions arise between a powerful interaction where genetics meet the environment. Whether it be infections, toxins, microbiome dysregulation, or pollutants. I seek to understand what your body is communicating, addressing root causes and guiding you every step of the way.”
— Dr. Koji Aoki, Keystone Total Health
Challenges in Diagnosing PANS/PANDAS
PANS/PANDAS are highly complicated conditions that require from your health provider a high degree of patience, competence and exposure to the myriad of inter-connected concerns.
Keystone Total Health often receives PANS/PANDAs patients after the traditional medical system has failed them in these ways. Our PANS/PANDAS patients typically find us when they’ve reached their bottom with less hope and more complications than they ever expected in life. Here’s how we approach things differently:
Awareness:
One of the primary challenges in diagnosing PANS/PANDAS is the lack of awareness among traditional healthcare providers. Many traditional providers are unfamiliar with the PANS/PANDAS disorders or their root causes, and this often leads to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Dr. Martin Hart has years of specialty focus on PANS/PANDAS and has successfully dealt with the gamut of related conditions. Aoki??
Overlaps:
At Keystone Total Health, we know the symptoms of PANS/PANDAS often overlap with other psychiatric conditions, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and general anxiety disorders. Knowing this, Keystone Total Health can help avoid potential misdiagnoses with an overly complicated diagnostic process.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Diagnosing PANS/PANDAS requires a thorough evaluation of medical history, symptomatology, and potential triggers. This comprehensive approach may not be adequately pursued in traditional healthcare settings, but it is at Keystone Total Health.
Testing Proficiencies
There is no single definitive test for PANS/PANDAS, which can lead to confusion and uncertainty. Our approach involves an intentional process of working through possibilities until we identify the root cause of your child’s concerns. Traditional providers usually chase symptoms which renders a very subjective process.
Emotional and Social Proficiencies
The emotional distress caused by the symptoms can hinder the diagnostic process. Families may experience significant stress, which can further complicate the assessment of the child’s condition. We’re deeply experienced with PANS/PANDAS circuitry, and we stand as a calm and confident partner for our patients and their families.
CASE STUDY:
A Journey to Recovery.
Through our holistic approach, we have helped children overcome the challenges posed by PANS/PANDAS, restoring their well-being and improving their quality of life.
Many families have found relief and hope at Keystone Total Health.
Consider the story of Emily, a 10-year-old who suddenly developed severe OCD and anxiety. Before connecting with Keystone Total Health, she struggled for months with traditional treatments that failed to address the root cause. Through comprehensive assessments, we identified underlying triggers related to a previous streptococcal infection and environmental factors.
With a personalized treatment plan that included dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and therapy, we helped Emily gradually regain her confidence and joy. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of our holistic approach to PANS/PANDAS.
Complimentary Screening Call
Take the First Step Toward Healing.
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from PANS or PANDAS, it’s crucial to seek help from a provider who understands the complexities of these disorders. At Keystone Total Health, we are dedicated to being your trusted partner in navigating this challenging journey together.
We know all this can be overwhelming by yourself so we're offering a Complimentary Screening for everyone we can help on the PANS/PANDAS journey. It's time your family felt great.
And if you’re ready to take the first step, schedule a full consultation with Dr. Hart today to discuss your child’s symptoms and explore how our holistic approach can help.
Here’s How We’ll Do This Together:
Step 1: Book a complimentary discovery call to meet you and determine your conditions, absolutely free.
Step 2: In your initial office visit, we conduct a physical plus environmental and social evaluations to assess next steps of working together.
Step 3: We identify the total impact of your symptoms, suffering and audit previous efforts to resolve your past and current conditions.
Step 4: We create and implement a thorough recovery protocol to begin your road to health.
Our daughter had been bed ridden and in constant pain for 10 years. Our doctors didn’t have any answers and we were watching her fade away. She was reduced to a wheelchair so we flew to the other side of the world as a last resort ,this to us was a massive gamble. We arrived in the US and our first appointment with Dr Martin Hart changed our lives forever. We saw the benefits from day one and our daughter can now lead a normal life.”
— David E., patient, Keystone Total Health
Prepare for an Entirely Different Approach
At Keystone Total Health, we are committed to providing compassionate, holistic care tailored to your child’s needs. Our goal is to establish a strong foundation of sustainable wellness so we’re not only “fixing the problem” but also providing long-term guidance, education, and empowerment to those in our care.
Why Choose Keystone Total Health?
At Keystone Total Health, we understand the unique challenges PANS/PANDAS presents to the families who are affected by it. Our holistic approach is designed to address the root causes of these disorders, not just the symptoms, ensuring comprehensive care for your child and relief for innermost circle.
1. Holistic Care Approach
We believe in treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms. Our team focuses on understanding the underlying causes of your child’s condition through integrative approaches that encompass both physical and mental health.
2. Comprehensive Assessments
Our comprehensive evaluations consider the child’s medical history, family background, and environmental factors. We utilize advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies to accurately assess the condition.
3. Personalized Treatment Plans
Every child is unique, and so is their journey to wellness. We create tailored treatment plans that may include nutritional counseling, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and mind-body therapies to promote healing.
4. Collaboration with Specialists
At Keystone Total Health, we collaborate with various specialists, including neurologists, psychologists, and nutritionists, to ensure a well-rounded approach to care. This interdisciplinary strategy allows us to address all aspects of your child’s health.
5. Supportive Environment
We strive to create a supportive and compassionate environment for both children and their families. We understand the emotional toll that PANS/PANDAS can take, and we are here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.
6. Education and Resources
We believe that knowledge is power. We provide families with the necessary education and resources to understand PANS/PANDAS better, empowering them to advocate for their children’s health.
7. Commitment to Ongoing Care
Recovery from PANS/PANDAS can be a long journey. At Keystone Total Health, we are committed to providing ongoing support and follow-up care to ensure your child’s continued progress.
PANS/PANDAS can already be overwhelming for children and their families, and the impact of compounding misdiagnoses and mistreatments can quickly spiral into grave health dangers. Let’s work together to ensure this does not happen to your child, and instead let’s help them thrive.
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