PANS/PANDAS Part 3: Supporting Recovery and Daily Life
Welcome back to #get2theroot, the podcast from Hope for Healing in The Woodlands, Texas, where we uncover the root causes of complex health conditions and guide families toward lasting solutions.
In Part 1, we introduced what PANS and PANDAS are and how to recognize them. In Part 2, we explored how functional medicine gets to the root causes of brain inflammation. Now in Part 3, Dr. Paula Kruppstadt focuses on supporting children in daily life, managing flares, and building a path toward long-term healing.
Living with PANS/PANDAS
Families navigating PANS/PANDAS know that symptoms can flare suddenly — often after a new infection or environmental exposure. Even when children begin improving, setbacks can happen. That’s why building resilience and supporting the immune system are so important.
Some of the daily-life challenges include:
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Mood swings or sudden behavioral regression
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Ongoing anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms
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Sleep disturbances
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Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions
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Emotional and social struggles at school
The Importance of Ongoing Support
Dr. K emphasizes that PANS/PANDAS requires a comprehensive, long-term approach. Healing doesn’t come from one medication or supplement alone — it comes from combining:
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🔍 Thorough evaluation – Ongoing testing to monitor inflammation and immune health
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🍎 Nutritional strategies – Supporting gut health and reducing inflammatory foods
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🧬 Genetic insight – Using advanced panels to tailor interventions to each child’s needs
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🌱 Targeted supplementation – Supporting immune balance, neurotransmitters, and inflammation pathways
Functional Medicine Tools for Support
Addressing PANS/PANDAS is about more than treating flares — it’s about helping the body stay resilient. Dr. K discusses how targeted support can:
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Calm neuroinflammation
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Balance the immune system
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Support detoxification and nutrient pathways
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Provide relief during flare-ups while working toward lasting healing
Products & Supplements Mentioned in This Episode
In Part 3, several supportive tools and supplements were highlighted as part of a functional medicine approach:
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Immune, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Panels – Help track immune system activity and guide treatment.
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Wellness Blueprint & Newborn Genetic Panels – Reveal genetic vulnerabilities and direct individualized care.
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PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) – Supports immune balance and reduces neuroinflammation.
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Vitamin D3 with K2 – Essential for immune regulation and brain health.
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Dye-free Ibuprofen – A cleaner option for inflammation support during acute flares.
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Liquid Turmeric Matrix – Natural anti-inflammatory support for brain and immune health.
Each child’s plan is personalized, but these tools are part of a broader strategy for reducing inflammation and supporting long-term recovery.
A Path Toward Hope
PANS and PANDAS can feel overwhelming for families, but healing is possible. By identifying triggers, supporting the immune system, and restoring balance through functional medicine, children can regain stability — and parents can see real progress.
It’s about more than managing symptoms. It’s about helping kids thrive again.