In today's episode we interview the fabulous Helen Spignese. She is a mental health counselor and also my sister. She is an advocate for families dealing with an autoimmune disease known as PANS/PANDAS after her son Jackson was diagnosed. This is a condition where inflammation and stealth infections in the gut/body lead to the brain and create neurological symptoms.  Helen continues to explore the importance of the mind gut connection to not only help her own family, but to also assist her clients. She is currently studying to become a health coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to deepen her knowledge of holistic approaches. Please take a listen and check out the resources below if you or a loved one may be suffering. PANS/PANDAS awareness day is October 9th 2021.  Books and cookbooks: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Under-Attack-Caregivers-Encephalitis/dp/0692133275 https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748 https://www.amazon.com/Angel-Assassin-Changed-Course-Medicine/dp/1524799173 https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Anti-Inflammatory-Diet-Beginners-No-Stress/dp/1623159040 https://www.amazon.com/Whole30-Cookbook-Delicious-Totally-Compliant/dp/0544854411 Websites: https://www.pandasppn.org/ https://www.mminds.org/ http://pandasnetwork.org/ Initial blood work to rule out/in a PANS/PANDAS diagnosis: 1.  Strep titers:   Anti-DNase B and ASO 2.  Mycoplasma titers: IgM and IgG (Mycoplasma is linked to autoimmune encephalitis, as well as PANS. An elevated IgM is suggestive of a recent infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis, but can persist in autoimmune disorders also) 3.  Lyme titers