What parents need to know about PANS and PANDAS with Functional Medicine Paediatrician Dr Nancy O'Hara | Episode 122

PANS and PANDAS are often overlooked causes of sudden behavioural, emotional, and neurological changes in children. For parents, the experience can be confusing, frightening, and difficult to navigate, especially when answers are hard to find.

In this episode, I am talking to functional medicine paediatrician Dr Nancy O'Hara about PANS and PANDAS, neuropsychiatric autoimmune conditions that can be triggered by infections, inflammation, mould exposure, and immune dysregulation. We discuss symptoms, root causes, treatment approaches, practical strategies for families, and how parents can advocate for their children 

Dr Nancy and I talk about:

• What PANS and PANDAS are and how they affect children
• Why sudden changes in behaviour, anxiety, OCD, tics, or mood should not be ignored
• How infections such as strep throat, COVID-19, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses may trigger symptoms
• The role of inflammation and immune dysregulation in children's mental health
• Why some children are more genetically susceptible to developing PANS and PANDAS
• Common symptoms parents should watch for, including restrictive eating, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and urinary changes
• How functional medicine approaches the root causes of PANS and PANDAS
• The connection between mould exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms
• Natural strategies that may support recovery, including nutrition, sleep, movement, and targeted supplements
• Practical steps parents can take after a tick bite

Dr Nancy O'Hara is a board-certified paediatrician and functional medicine practitioner with a special focus on PANS, PANDAS, autism, tick-borne illnesses, mould-related illness, and immune dysfunction. She has spent decades helping children uncover and address the root causes of complex chronic conditions. Dr O'Hara is the author of Demystifying PANS/PANDAS and provides education and training for both practitioners and families.

Links

Come say hi to me on Instagram

Free Motherhood Manifestation: Your Vibrant Life Manifestation  

Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. 

Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.

Say hi to Dr Nancy on Instagram

Learn more at drohara.com 

Join Dr Nancy O’Hara’s membership

Listen to the Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Podcast

Read her book Demystifying PANS/PANDAS

Resources that Dr Nancy O’Hara mentioned: 

• Apsire
• Look Foundation
• PANDAS Physicians Network 
• MAPS 
• The Comprehensive Physicians' Guide to the Management of PANS and PANDAS

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Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, optimal health for women, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, and children’s wellness. It is for holistic-minded mothers who want healthier, calmer, more resilient kids. We explore everything from gut health to pregnancy, functional health for women and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood while creating a foundation for lifelong wellness. I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend.