The world of PANDAS/PANS can be a very frustrating ones tarting with trying to get a medical professional on your side to help support your child in need. I have many parents who either are unable to find the care they need or are currently working with their MD/psychiatrist and want to explore natural supportive therapy as well.
As a naturopathic doctor, I am able to use a number of different modalities to help support my PANDAS patients whether they are currently taking medications or not.
Treatment Options Used:
- Botanical Medicine: Herbals are one of the most reliable tools for the treatment of PANDAS. Different herbs have different actions, but more often than not I am using a strong antimicrobial like berberine or neem that are as effective as antibiotics for getting to the root cause and addressing the strep infection, but without the harmful side effects to the microbiome that many antibiotics may have. These herbals are often used after all testing has been completed to ensure result ranges aren’t skewed. These tests often include GI-MAP or Comprehensive Stool analysis.
Other use of herbals may include adaptogens to support the body’s stress response as well s nerviness to help with the nervous system. - Clinical Nutrition: PANDAS/PANS causes inflammation in the body and brain. An anti-inflammatory diet that supports a healthy gut microbiome is therefore extremely important for kids with PANDAS. Focus on feeding your child a nutrient dense diet including,
- organic whole foods, free from preservatives, additives, sugars and GMO’s
- probiotic and prebiotic foods: sauerkraut, tempeh, banana, apple, asparagus, garlic, onion, kimchi, kombucha
- digestive enzymes: pineapple, papaya, dandelion greens, cinnamon
- ensuring plenty of high quality proteins and healthy fats are part of every meal
- protein shakes and smoothies are a good option to ensure nutrient dense foods are being consumed
- Nutraceuticals: These are always part of my patients protocol. I am not looking to ensure a deficiency is addressed, but more of using nutrients at therapeutic levels to stimulate a healing response. Some of the most commonly used nutrients include:
- Vitamin D drops
- Vitamin B 12 or B-Complex
- Probiotics
- Omega-3 (Cod Liver Oil)
High-potency antioxidants like glutathione, NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, and CoQ 10 help reduce oxidative stress that occurs when the body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode. These formulations also help ensure the body has what it needs to support detoxification, this is a very important process in PANDAS treatment, as they help remove infection and repair damaged systems.
4. Homeopathy: Different homeopathic remedies can be prescribed based on the symptoms being presented. A few that are commonly used for PANDAS/PANS are:
- Aconite – helps calm intense, sudden anxiety or fear
- Belladonna – helps when detached from reality
- Ignatia – used to treat anxiety and symptoms of shock
- Others include homeopathy for detoxification like UNDA 243
PANDAS treatment requires a very detailed and methodical approach as some treatments have the possibility of aggravating behaviours and symptoms before alleviating them. Please speak with a licensed and knowledgeable practitioner prior to starting treatment.
Book an appointment NOW with Dr. Danielle ND for your child is you suspect PANDAS.
