PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) occurs when strep triggers a misdirected immune response and results in inflammation on a child’s brain. In turn, the child quickly begins to exhibit life changing symptoms such as OCD, anxiety, tics, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating, and more.
PANDAS Network estimates that PANDAS/PANS affects as many as 1 in 200 children.
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is when an infectious trigger, environmental factors, and other possible triggers create a misdirected immune response results in inflammation on a child’s brain. In turn, the child quickly begins to exhibit life changing symptoms such as OCD, severe restrictive eating, anxiety, tics, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities.
AE (Autoimmune Encephalitis) occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation of the brain. Symptoms may include impaired memory and cognition, abnormal movements, seizures, and/or problems with balance, speech, or vision. Psychiatric symptoms can include aggression, inappropriate or compulsive behaviors, aggression or fear. Symptoms may fluctuate, but often progress over days to a few weeks
Typical Encephalitis is different than PANDAS. It is an inflammation caused by a viral or bacterial infection that is present in the brain and physical deterioration is often rapid and severe and it is easily detected via an MRI. This dangerous elevation of symptoms does not typically occur in PANDAS and PANS. New research, however, shows that autoimmune encephalitis is far more prevalent as shown in Autoimmune encephalitis epidemiology and a comparison to infectious encephalitis (2018).
In THE LANCET Neurology article (2011) Autoantibodies associated with diseases of the CNS: new developments and future challenges, neurologists link PANDAS and possible encephalopathy.
Other Terms
HOMEOPATHY – Homeopathy, or Homeopathic Medicine, is the practice of medicine that embraces a holistic, natural approach to the treatment of the sick. Homeopathy is holistic because it treats the person as a whole, rather than focusing on a diseased part or a labeled sickness. Homeopathy is natural because its remedies are produced according to the U.S. FDA-recognized Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States from natural sources, whether vegetable, mineral, or animal in nature.
Naturopathic Doctor – Naturopathic doctors are educated and trained in accredited naturopathic medical colleges. They diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illness to restore and establish optimal health by supporting the person’s inherent self-healing process. Rather than just suppressing symptoms.
Homeopathic Remedy – The “medicines” used in homeopathy are called remedies. They can be made from just about any substance known to man, including plants, minerals, animal products, and energy fields. More than 5,000 substances have been prepared and “proven.” Examples range from mercury to mistletoe to calcium carbonate to dolphin milk to light spectrum (a rainbow). They are FDA approved.