Fantastic personalized care you won’t find anywhere else. Staff is amazing! Providers are helpful, informative and respond quickly. So glad I found this place and I won’t take my kids anywhere else. It’s a 50 mile drive and more than worth it!
Welcome, Well-Rooted readers! Today, we want to dive into the complex yet often misunderstood world of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Strap in for an enlightening journey through the variations of these conditions and discover how functional medicine offers a unique approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Let’s start with the basics. PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, occurs when a strep infection triggers an autoimmune response that results in inflammation in the basal ganglia of the brain. On the other hand, PANS, or Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, can be caused by various factors such as viruses, bacteria, mold, Lyme disease, and more, leading to similar neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Recognizing PANDAS and PANS can be challenging, especially since the symptoms often overlap with other conditions. However, some key indicators include abrupt onset of OCD-like behaviors, restrictive eating patterns, anxiety, depression, irritability, behavioral regressions, sleep disturbances, and urinary issues.
Diagnosing PANDAS and PANS is primarily clinical, relying on a thorough assessment of symptoms and history. While lab tests can be beneficial for confirming infections and ruling out other conditions, the focus remains on understanding the patient’s journey and identifying potential triggers. Functional medicine takes a holistic approach, addressing three key aspects:
1. Treating the underlying cause (kill the bug)
2. Reducing inflammation (put out the fire)
3. Modulating the body’s response to inflammation (teach the body to deal with inflammation appropriately).
Conventional medicine often relies on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and, in severe cases, IVIG infusions. However, functional medicine offers a more comprehensive strategy that includes herbal supplements, dietary modifications, and lifestyle interventions to support overall health and well-being. By targeting all three prongs of treatment simultaneously, functional medicine aims to address the root cause and prevent future flare-ups.
One poignant example that stands out to us illustrates the transformative power of functional medicine in treating PANDAS/PANS. A teenage patient of ours struggled with debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms for over a decade, receiving multiple diagnoses and psychiatric medications. Upon consulting with a us, comprehensive testing revealed elevated strep markers, leading to a tailored treatment plan. Within six months, the patient was off all psychiatric medications and experiencing significant improvements in behavior and mood, offering hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges! After a decade of getting the run around with no real answers!
The reality is that PANDAS and PANS are complex conditions that require a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment. Functional medicine offers a ray of hope for patients and families by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting holistic healing. By raising awareness and understanding, we can empower individuals to seek the support and care they deserve on their journey to optimal health and wellness.
If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences, please give us a call or shoot us an email (office@wellrootedpediatrics.com).
Together, we can continue to shine a light on these important issues and foster a community of support and healing. Until next time, stay informed, stay empowered, and stay well!
In case you missed our LIVE Facebook broadcast about PANDAS/PANS with our Nurse Practitioner, Jacki Liggett, check it out below!
Fantastic personalized care you won’t find anywhere else. Staff is amazing! Providers are helpful, informative and respond quickly. So glad I found this place and I won’t take my kids anywhere else. It’s a 50 mile drive and more than worth it!
As an overwhelmed expecting mother, I was becoming extremely defeated as I interviewed pediatricians to help me care for my son when he arrived. As a nurse, I was searching for someone collaborative, respectful, patient, and would be able to provide insight and guidance with more depth than what I could quickly access on a Google search. Jessica and the staff of Well Rooted is a God-send, exceeding my expectations every visit! Jessica is extremely present during very visits, despite whatever is happening outside the exam room door. She is incredibly kind, gentle, patient and with excellent clinical skills and judgement! She has also been immediately available to me via phone on the weekend, when I have had a concern. I just love her and the entire staff at Well Rooted so much and I couldn’t recommend them enough!
We LOVE Jessica and the team at Well Rooted, and are so glad we made the choice to take our son there. I love their natural, holistic approach so much, my husband and I just started going to their adult practice, Functional Medicine. We’ll never go anywhere else!
We absolutely loved this place. Everybody was very nice and accommodating. Viktoria took her time to listen all our concerns and respond to all our questions. She did so well in explaining everything. The facility is very clean and nice. It was pleasure visiting this office.
I’m so grateful we found this practice, I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking a new pediatrician. Their facility is spotless, their technology is wonderful, and most importantly their doctors take time in answering your questions and provide so much insight and knowledge to the medical care of your kids. Thank you Well Rooted Pediatrics!!!
390 Congress Pkwy # J
Crystal Lake, IL
814 Commerce Dr., Ste 150
Oak Brook, IL
390 Congress Parkway
Suite I
Crystal Lake, IL
2075 Foxfield Rd.
Suite 102
St. Charles, IL 60174