This episode of Conversations for Health features Dr. Nancy O'Hara, MD, author of Demystifying PANS/PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis. Nancy is a board-certified pediatrician who specializes in treating PANS, PANDAS and BGE and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is a leading trainer and mentor of clinicians in the US and globally, educating medical professionals to recognize, diagnose and treat these conditions and began her consultative, integrative practice for children with special needs, dedicating her practice to treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS and BGE, OCD, Lyme, and Autism Spectrum Disorder in 1999.

In our conversation, Nancy highlights PANS and PANDAS, its symptoms, triggers, and treatment. She shares success stories, advancements in research and tactics for helping children and their parents better navigate these lesser known clinical diagnoses. With insights into dosing, treatment steps and advice for the health team that can help to restore health, this conversation is filled with hope for anyone who is looking for answers to all of their PANS/PANDAS journey questions.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[1:51] Nancy recalls her journey of working with children with autism, pediatrics, and functional medicine.

[4:40] Key differences, defining characteristics, and symptoms of PANS and PANDAS.

[9:22] Challenges of obtaining a correct diagnosis and the rates of occurance in children.

[11:10] Best practices for achieving correct diagnoses including antibodies and specialty labs.

[16:05] Bartonella testing recommendations and key symptom indicators that encourage testing.

[17:19] A timeline of basal ganglia encephalitis and the silver lining role of Covid-19 in treating BGE.

[19:54] Genetic markers and other risks that increase susceptibility to autoimmune disease.

[21:13] First steps for treatment, including critical medicines, supplements and nutrition.

[24:31] Nancy's recommendations for dosing supplements for children and the underlying deficiency causes of disordered eating.

[28:45] NAC dosing as it can be used for OCD and addictive behaviors.

[31:00] Tactics for helping kids and adults swallow capsules with greater ease.

[33:10] Identifying the triggers behind PANS/PANDA and next step supplement treatments.

[36:51] Reference ranges for vitamin A and D dosage levels for children.

[38:20] Antibiotics, restoration of the microbiome, and reducing toxic burden in the gut and nervous system.

[41:23] The role of immunotherapy in Nancy's practice.

[45:17] The waxing and waning course of healing and the rates of recurrence.

[49:30] The team that Nancy employs to help regulate the nervous system.

[50:00] Nancy's favorite recovery story.

[54:28] Nancy's favorite supplements for herself and for children, her top health practices, and the hopeful changes she has experienced as she has learned to listen to her body.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Nancy O'Hara

Demystifying PANS/PANS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis

Clark's Rule

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health

Webinar: Children's Digestive Care: The Role of the Gut and Microbiome in Pediatric Health & Disease with Dr. Nancy O'Hara

Live Presentation: Lindsey Wells and Nancy O'Hara – Clinical Round | Pediatric Post-Infectious Cases

Blog: Picky Eating in Childhood

Blog: Factors Affecting Focus

Blog: Sleep Aids for Children

Blog: Sleep Soundly with 5-HTP

Blog: New study demonstrates effect of dietary supplements on clinical aspects of autism

Blog: Dietary Interventions for Autism

Blog: From Epigenetics to the Microbiome in Autism

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.