Covenant Integrative Health

10/21/2026

NEW BLOG POST!

When most parents learn about PANS or PANDAS, they’re told to look for:

• anxiety
• OCD behaviors
• mood changes
• tics

And while those are important…they’re only part of the story. Because PANS/PANDAS is not just behavioral. It’s neurological. Sometimes, the most important clues aren’t in what a child says or does—but in how they move.

Read more:

When most parents learn about PANS or PANDAS, they’re told to look for: • anxiety • OCD behaviors • mood changes • tics And while those are important, they’re only part of the story. Because PANS/PANDAS is not just behavioral. It’s neurological. And sometimes, the most important clues ...

10/20/2026

Link to Full Webinar: https://youtu.be/SF_w-eCsz2Y?si=iP8Jn1jEZqx7mKkM

10/19/2026

Sudden urinary urgency, frequent urination, or new bedwetting may occur in children with PANS/PANDAS, particularly when these symptoms appear alongside OCD, separation anxiety, tics, irritability, or other sudden behavioral changes. Tracking when urinary symptoms begin and how they relate to other symptoms can help healthcare providers recognize patterns and guide evaluation. However, urinary urgency alone does not indicate PANS/PANDAS, and other causes—such as urinary tract infections and constipation—should be considered. Sudden changes in a child's urinary habits deserve attention, especially when accompanied by other abrupt changes in behavior or functioning.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/pans-pandas-autoimmune-encephalitis

10/18/2026

Metabolic health evaluations help identify how effectively the body regulates blood sugar, processes fats, maintains healthy blood pressure, and uses energy. These assessments can uncover early signs of insulin resistance, prediabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, fatty liver disease, and other metabolic concerns—sometimes before noticeable symptoms develop. By evaluating factors such as glucose, HbA1c, lipid levels, blood pressure, waist circumference, lifestyle, and family history, healthcare professionals can identify potential risks and develop personalized strategies to support long-term health. Understanding metabolic health early creates opportunities for prevention, timely intervention, and better whole-body health.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/

10/17/2026

What Is Actually Happening in PANS/PANDAS?

At its core, PANS/PANDAS is a condition in which the immune system becomes dysregulated and begins to affect the brain—particularly the basal ganglia.

The basal ganglia are responsible for:

• movement
• habit formation
• emotional regulation
• behavior and impulse control

When inflammation affects these circuits, we don’t just see behavioral changes. We see neurological changes.

It’s Not Just Behavior

Most families are first told to look for:

• anxiety
• OCD behaviors
• mood changes
• tics

And while those are important, they’re only part of the picture. Because when the brain is inflamed, it doesn’t just affect how a child feels. It affects how they move, process, and function.

Learn more: https://thewhymatters.net/pans-pandas-overview

10/16/2026

Why Is a Preconception Wellness Evaluation Important?

A preconception wellness evaluation helps prepare both parents for a healthier pregnancy by identifying potential health concerns before conception. It provides an opportunity to review medical history, nutrition, hormone balance, medications, lifestyle habits, sleep, stress, and existing health conditions that may affect fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development. When appropriate, evaluating nutrient deficiencies, metabolic health, and other risk factors allows time to address concerns before pregnancy begins. The goal is to optimize health before conception, support the developing baby from the earliest stages, and help create the strongest possible foundation for a healthy pregnancy.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/

10/15/2026

Have you heard of DUTCH testing?

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, and Covenant offers it for eligible patients.

Depending on the panel, DUTCH testing can show s*x hormones and their metabolites, as well as cortisol/cortisone patterns—giving us a different view than a single blood hormone measurement.

But here's the important part: Not every woman needs a DUTCH test.

Sometimes conventional bloodwork is the better place to start. Sometimes we need both. Sometimes your history points us in a completely different direction.

The goal of a Women's Hormone Deep Dive isn't simply to order more testing. It's to determine which questions we actually need to answer—and then choose the testing that can help us answer them.

DUTCH testing is available when clinically appropriate.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/

10/15/2026

Watch the entire livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/aapk3o60wH4?si=JsGj8F9Z6FRlIG-1

10/14/2026

NEW BLOG POST!

PANS/PANDAS: A Complete Overview for Parents

Every October, we see an increase in awareness around PANS and PANDAS. And for many families, that awareness comes with a moment of recognition:

“This sounds like my child.”

But even with increased awareness, one of the biggest challenges remains: PANS/PANDAS is still widely misunderstood.

It’s often labeled as behavioral. Sometimes psychiatric. Frequently dismissed. But what we see clinically tells a very different story.

Read more:

Every October, we see an increase in awareness around PANS and PANDAS. And for many families, that awareness comes with a moment of recognition: “This sounds like my child.” But even with increased awareness, one of the biggest challenges remains: PANS/PANDAS is still widely misunderstood. It’...

10/13/2026

Neurological Soft Signs Are Common in Children with PANS

A study of 119 children with PANS, published in JAMA Network Open, found that 79.8% had at least one neurological soft sign. These included milkmaid’s grip, choreiform movements, abnormal tongue movements, spooning, overflow movements, and an abnormal glabellar tap reflex. A greater number of signs was associated with more PANS symptoms and greater functional impairment. These findings suggest that targeted neurological examinations may provide valuable information when evaluating children with PANS, although these signs are not diagnostic on their own.

Learn more: https://covenantwellness.net/pans-pandas-autoimmune-encephalitis