PANDAS Syndrome Therapy - Signs & Symptoms

Is your child exhibiting abrupt behavior changes, like obsessive thoughts, tics, or showing anxiety? PANDAS may be the cause.

PANDAS, or “Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections”, is a complex childhood disorder characterized by the sudden onset of a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms that show up after a streptococcal infection, commonly called “Strep Throat”.

PANDAS is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, but with proper recognition and treatment, children can experience significant improvement. At Forum Health, we believe in addressing PANDAS from a comprehensive, functional medicine perspective. Rather than just managing symptoms, we aim to identify and address the root causes of the condition.

PANDAS Symptoms

Children diagnosed with PANDAS Syndrome typically encounter a variety of symptoms that manifest suddenly, often with considerable severity, affecting their daily functioning. Common symptoms can include:

Obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Tics

Anxiety attacks

Depression

Behavioral changes

Our Approach to Treating PANDAS

At Forum Health, we grasp the intricacies of PANDAS syndrome and the hurdles it presents for children and families. We advocate for an integrative strategy, blending conventional and complementary therapies, as the optimal means to handle PANDAS and support children in reaching their fullest potential. Our thorough PANDAS treatment plan aims to tackle the root immune dysregulation and effectively manage accompanying symptoms.

FAQ

What causes PANDAS Syndrome in children?

PANDAS Syndrome is typically triggered by a streptococcal infection. The child's immune response to the infection mistakenly targets the brain, leading to the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

How is the PANDAS Condition diagnosed?

Diagnosis of PANDAS involves a careful review of medical history, symptoms, and often a test called a bacterial throat culture to confirm a recent strep infection. There are no definitive tests for PANDAS; it's largely based on clinical judgment.

Can symptoms of the PANDAS Condition reappear or worsen over time?

Yes, symptoms can reappear, especially if the child has another strep infection. Long-term management often involves monitoring and preventive measures.

Are there lifestyle changes that can help manage PANDAS Syndrome symptoms?

lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management combined with medical treatment can be beneficial in managing symptoms.

Hear From Our Patients

For most of my life, I was told I needed all these different doctors with different specialties to figure out what was happening in my body. What I really needed was a functional doctor who listened and treated me as a whole person with connected systems. With the support of my Forum Health care team, I’m slowly but surely reversing my severe eczema, hypothyroidism, allergies, and chronic fatigue.

My parents, myself, and my children have been patients of Dr. Peterson for several years. He is an amazing doctor! The amount of time that he spend talking with us about our medical history and ALL of our symptoms was kind of shocking at first. He is incredibly thorough, both in talking to us as patients and in the testing that he does. I have been so impressed with the progress we have made because of his willingness to do testing.

After I had my daughter, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I felt awful at the time. I was exhausted, bloated, had trouble concentrating, had heart palpitations, dizzy spells, and generally felt like I was carrying a backpack of bricks with me all day, every day. When I came to Dr. Taylor’s office he implemented a thorough and detailed plan for me...

Amazing doctors that actually listen and care about your health!

... Not only am I feeling better first the first time in years, but I’m finally losing weight and inches in a healthy, sustainable way! They’ve helped me to heal my gut and we are taking my PCOS on head on - it’s amazing and something that conventional medicine has been spinning their wheels with for years! I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me and know that I am a client for life!

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