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PANS/PANDAS

A Root-Cause, Family-Centered Approach

HELPING YOUR CHILD MOVE FROM SUDDEN, SCARY SYMPTOMS TO STEADY, SUPPORTED HEALING.​

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At Lively Rooted Family Wellness Center, we support children and families navigating PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). Our approach blends functional testing with nervous system regulation, nutrition, and faith-rooted, ancestral-guided care so you can finally understand what's happening, why it's happening, and what to do next. 

PANS & PANDAS

PANS describes a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, often OCD, restrictive eating, tics, anxiety, or mood changes triggered by infections, immune activation, toxins, mold, or metabolic stressors. 

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PANDAS is a subset of PANS linked specifically to Group A strep (GAS). Children may experience an abrupt shift "overnight" — intense anxiety, separation distress, intrusive thoughts, urinary frequency/bedwetting, tics, handwriting changes, sleep disturbance, rage, and more. 

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Key features we often hear from parents:

  • "It was like a switch flipped."

  • "My child became terrified to be alone or go to school."

  • "They developed new rituals, obsessions, or tics out of nowhere."

  • "Meltdowns and rages came in waves."

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If this sounds familiar, you're not alone and there are actionable next steps. 

Why This Isn't "Just Behavioral" or "Just Genetic"

While genes set a baseline, environment and physiology pull the levers. Immune stress, low stomach acid, gut dysbiosis, mineral imbalances, chronic infections (strep, mycoplasma, Lyme/co-infections), mold/mycotoxins, and high histamine states can all prime a child's brain-immune axis toward neuroinflammation. When that threshold is crossed, symptoms can appear rapidly. 

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We look for:

  • Infection & Immune Triggers: recent strep or mono, mycoplasma, viruses; frequent illnesses that "never fully clear"

  • Gut & Barrier Integrity: low zinc/low sodium patterns, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), fungal overgrowth, leaky gut

  • Mineral Stress Patterns (HTMA): elevated copper, sodium/potassium imbalances, calcium shell, adrenal exhaustion, and more

  • Histamine & Methylation: folate cycle imbalances, high histamine phenotypes that amplify anxiety/OCD

  • Toxic Load: mold, heavy metals, EMFs, and environmental chemicals that inflame the nervous system 

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Our Unique Approach

  1. Identify the Trigger 

  2. Support the Immune System

  3. Reconnect the nervous system 

​The first step is to identify what caused your child's immune system to be on high alert in the first place. For some, it's a lingering infection. For other's it's an overload of toxins or environmental stress. Each body is different and experiences different tolerable loads for toxins which is why each protocol we create here will be different for each individual. 

 

We often explore triggers like:

  • Bacterial or viral infections: Streptococcus, Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Lyme, Epstein-Barr, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and more 

  • Toxic Exposures: Mold, heavy metals, EMFs, and environmental chemicals that over-activate the immune response.

  • Gut Imbalances: Yeast or fungal overgrowth, low stomach acid, or nutrient absorption issues.

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Our goal is to gently clear these root triggers while reducing the body's inflammatory load — never forcing detox before the body is ready. 

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After we have identified the trigger(s), we bring in support for the immune system. We use a blend of natural approaches to cool inflammation and reduce brain irritation:

  • Nutrients and herbs 

  • Gentle detox and lymphatic support

  • Coordination with your physician when anti-inflammatory medications may be appropriate for short-term symptom relief

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We rebuild immune strength from the inside out by:

  • Repairing the gut and restoring microbial balance

  • Replenishing mitochondrial and mineral stores for better energy and detox capacity

  • Reducing hidden burdens from mold, metals, and chronic infections that keep the immune system "on high alert"

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When the immune system is inflamed, the brain and body can feel like they're stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Healing the nervous system is key for lasting recovery. We support brain chemistry with targeted nutrients and adaptogens that promote calm and clarity. Children heal best in environments that feel safe, predictable, and supported. Due to this, we integrate:

  • Polyvagal and breathwork practices that reset the nervous system

  • Somatic and trauma-informed tools that help both parent and child release stored stress

  • Home and school rhythm guidance to support emotional regulation throughout the day 

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Our focus is not on chasing every single symptom but on rebuilding a foundation for long-term wellness. When inflammation calms, minerals rebalance, and the nervous system feels safe, children begin to reconnect with their natural curiosity, creativity, and peace. 

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Our Lens on Minerals & the Brain-Immune Axis

  • Zinc ↔ Copper Balance: Zinc supports stomach acid, immune regulation, and neurotransmitter balance; copper excess relative to zinc can drive anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and dysregulated behavior. 

  • Sodium & Potassium: Reflect adrenal tone, vitality, stress response, and cellular electrical stability. Often altered in rages/meltdowns.

  • Calcium/Magnesium: A calcium shell and blunt emotion and cognition; magnesium calms the nervous system, and ties closely into blood sugar balance. 

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Why HTMA? It's a low-burden, non-invasive test that helps us spot patterns you can't see on standard bloodwork and craft safer, smarter protocols (no "multivitamin roulette"). 

Signs & Symptoms We See in PANS/PANDAS

  • Sudden OCD/rituals, tics, motor/vocal changes

  • Panic, separation anxiety, intrusive thoughts

  • Rages/meltdowns/tantrums, aggression, oppositional behavior

  • Handwriting decline, math regression, selective mutism 

  • Food restriction, swallowing difficulty, urinary frequency/bedwetting, sleep inversion, night terrors, insomnia

  • Sensory spikes: light/sound/touch intolerance

  • Short-term memory loss

  • Forgetfulness 

  • Dilated pupils

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If your child has a rapid change in behavior after an illness, trust your intuition.

Symptoms can come and go in intensity as flare ups occur in the child. 

Ready to look deeper?

If your intuition tells you something more is going on, you're probably right. Let's uncover what your child's body is trying to communicate and begin the process of rebuilding from the inside out. 

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