Pans: A Treatable Condition With A Cure In Reach

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a childhood condition that can be triggered by various infections, including strep throat, the flu, chickenpox, mycoplasma, and Lyme disease. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a subset of PANS specifically triggered by streptococcal bacteria. Both conditions can cause a sudden onset of severe OCD symptoms, along with other behavioural and neurological changes. While there is currently no definitive cure for PANS, successful treatment requires an integrative medicine approach addressing diet, gut health, latent infections, toxic load, and more. Antibiotics are the primary treatment, and additional treatments include steroids, cognitive behavioural therapy, and in some cases, procedures to quiet the immune response.

PANS is treatable with medicines and therapy

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a treatable condition in children that involves the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms and/or eating restrictions following a bacterial or viral infection, including COVID-19. PANS can be triggered by various infections, such as the flu, Lyme disease, mycoplasma, chickenpox, and upper respiratory infections. While there is currently no definitive cure for PANS, a combination of treatments can effectively manage the condition and improve symptoms.

Medications are a crucial aspect of PANS treatment. Antibiotics are the primary treatment, especially when a child has a confirmed strep infection. Antibiotics help resolve the underlying infection and can lead to a rapid improvement in neuropsychiatric symptoms. In some cases, children may require a longer course of antibiotics or additional medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids if symptoms persist or are more severe.

Therapy plays a vital role in treating PANS. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often recommended to teach children coping strategies for the psychological symptoms associated with PANS. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is a specific technique used within CBT to reduce OCD symptoms. ERP therapy gradually exposes children to their fears while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsive rituals. This type of therapy can also be beneficial for other symptoms, such as tics.

In addition to CBT and ERP, other therapeutic interventions can be beneficial for children with PANS. These may include integrative approaches that address diet, gut health, latent infections, and toxic load. Deep breathing exercises, distraction with calming activities, regular exercise, and a supportive home environment are also recommended to help children manage stress and anxiety related to PANS.

While PANS does not have a cure yet, a combination of medical and therapeutic interventions can effectively treat the condition. Early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for optimising outcomes for children with PANS.

PANS is caused by an abnormal immune system response

PANS, or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is a childhood condition characterised by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) and/or eating restrictions following a bacterial or viral infection. This can include COVID-19, the flu, chickenpox, mycoplasma, and Lyme disease.

In a typical immune system response, the body's defences target and attack invading germs. However, in PANS, the immune system mistakenly targets the basal ganglia instead. This can happen when certain factors provoke immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Toxin exposure, for example, can lead to toxin buildup and chronic inflammation, which can then increase the likelihood of immune dysregulation.

Other factors that can cause immune dysfunction include:

• Genetic factors, such as MTHFR mutations
• Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exposure patterns
• Poor gut health, as the digestive system and immune function are linked
• High stress and poor sleep, which can severely suppress immune function

PANS can be triggered by bacterial or viral infections

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a childhood condition characterised by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) and/or eating restrictions following a bacterial or viral infection. The most common bacterial infections that trigger PANS include streptococcal bacteria (strep) and mycoplasma. Viral infections that can trigger PANS include COVID-19 and its variants, the flu, and chickenpox. Lyme disease is another infection that can trigger PANS.

PANS is an umbrella term for a syndrome that can be caused by almost any infection. PANDAS (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a subset of PANS and is diagnosed when the triggering infection is specifically caused by streptococcal bacteria.

PANS can be treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and psychiatric treatment. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for PANS and are used to treat the underlying infection. However, if a child does not test positive for a strep infection, doctors may be less likely to prescribe antibiotics.

PANS is an episodic illness with symptoms that can come and go

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is an episodic illness with symptoms that can come and go. It is characterised by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) and/or eating restrictions following a bacterial or viral infection, including COVID-19. PANS is an umbrella classification for a syndrome that can be caused by almost any infection, including upper respiratory infections, the flu, chickenpox, mycoplasma, and Lyme disease.

PANS symptoms can appear as early as a few days after the initial infection or as late as 4 to 6 months if antibiotics don't fully eradicate the bacteria. These symptoms can be so extreme that a parent may say their child seemed to "change overnight". They include:

• Severe separation anxiety
• Unrecognisable handwriting
• Scribble-like drawings
• Bedwetting
• Inability to manage previously mastered tasks like reading or maths

The symptoms of PANS may disappear for extended periods and then reappear when stimulated by exposure to another virus, bacteria, or substance like mould or allergens. Symptoms may increase in severity or duration with each episode. In some cases, they can last for months or even years and progressively worsen over time. However, a flare-up does not last forever, and symptoms eventually subside for most patients. Studies suggest that about 95% of children will outgrow PANS by adolescence or young adulthood when their immune systems fully mature.

While there is currently no definitive cure for PANS, successful treatment requires addressing the root causes of this complicated condition. Treatment generally involves a combination of antibiotics to treat the underlying infection, anti-inflammatories, and in some cases, treatments to quiet the immune response, such as prednisone. Other treatments include steroids, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), tonsillectomy, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

PANS can be treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and steroids

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a childhood condition characterised by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) and/or eating restrictions following a bacterial or viral infection. PANS can be triggered by one or more infections, like the flu, Lyme disease, mycoplasma (a type of walking pneumonia), chickenpox, upper respiratory infections, and even COVID-19 and its variants.

PANS is treated with a combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and steroids. Antibiotics are the primary treatment in the fight against PANS. If a child has been found to have a strep infection, antibiotics are needed to treat the illness. However, if a child does not have a positive strep test, doctors may be less likely to prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotic prophylaxis may also be used to prevent infections from potential illnesses that could cause a flare-up.

Anti-inflammatories are also used to treat PANS. Steroids can help ease inflammation in a child's brain and reduce symptoms. However, some children can have a negative response to steroids and become much more aggressive or experience greater severity of tics. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Motrin are often given to patients because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition to antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, other treatments are used to address PANS. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can teach children better ways to cope with the psychological symptoms of PANS, how to face their fears, and how to calm and relax their mind and body. Tonsillectomy is another treatment option for PANS. In one study, researchers found that when tonsils are removed, the symptoms go away completely for many patients. However, it was not a controlled study, so some experts consider the evidence too incomplete to determine the effectiveness of tonsillectomy.

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