Episode 3: Understanding PANS & PANDAS with Dr. Emily Gutierrez
“It’s like they became a different child overnight.”
I’ve heard this heartbreaking refrain from many parents of children with PANS or PANDAS.
They have often gone from a happy and easy-go-lucky child to struggling with severe OCD, anxiety, picky eating, and even bedwetting.
Their pediatrician is stumped, the parents are terrified and frustrated, and everyone is desperate to know what is going on.
In the case of PANS/PANDAS, the child’s brain is literally under attack by the immune system due to an autoimmune reaction to an infection (usually strep or Lyme).
The good news is that, as with all autoimmune conditions, it’s possible to identify the factors causing the attack and stop the reactivity.
I’m thrilled to have Dr. Emily Gutierrez on the podcast this week to dive into PANS and PANDAS and how to diagnose and treat them. Dr. Gutierrez received her doctorate of nursing practice from Johns Hopkins University and is also a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and functional medicine provider. She specializes in pediatric neurological conditions, including PANS, PANDAS, and autism.
In this episode, Seth and Emily discuss:
- What is PANS & PANDAS?
- PANDAS stands for the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder related to streptococcus - strep throat.
- PANS or PANDAS is a clinical diagnosis; a comprehensive evaluation is critical
- The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome with pandas, or anything chronic and autoimmune in children.
- What Dr. Gutierrez recommends for parents if they suspect PANS or PANDAS?
Free PANS/PANDAS screening questionnaire.
Dr. Gutierrez’s health tip: If your child has a sudden onset of these regressive type symptoms that we talked about, like OCD, anxiety, food restriction, etc. Please go to your pediatrician and have them swab their throat.
About Dr. Emily Gutierrez
Dr. Gutierrez is the founder of Neuronutrition Associates, one of the first pediatric functional medicine practices in the United States. She has written a book, "The Parents Roadmap to Autism: A Functional Medicine Approach" and is also a seasoned published writer and speaker.
Find out more about Emily and Neuronutrition Associates, visit www.neuronutritionassociates.com
Follow Dr. Emily Gutierrez on Facebook at Neuronutrition Associates.
Connect with Dr. Seth Osgood
To learn more about Dr. Seth Osgood and the GrassRoots Adaptation Program, head over to www.grassrootsfunctionalmedicine.com
Join the GrassRoots Facebook community at: