What Is CIRS Due To Mold Illness?
Battling Mold Illness: Our Personal Journey with CIRS
Hello, my name is Dr. Ernesto Medina, and I want to share a deeply personal story that has profoundly impacted my family and me. Over the past three years, my wife has struggled with debilitating symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) due to mold exposure. Through our journey, I’ve learned a great deal about mold illness, water damage, and the importance of awareness and prevention. I hope our story can help others facing similar challenges.
The Nexus Between Water Damage and Mold Growth
Water damage can come from various sources, like roof leaks, floods, burst pipes, or just high humidity levels. When moisture seeps into walls, floors, and ceilings, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for mold. Mold spores are everywhere and only need a moist environment to thrive. Common types of mold found in homes include Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and the infamous Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as "black mold." While these strains of mold are often tested for by mold inspectors, the mold types Chaetomium globosum and Wallemia sebi are of equal importance in their toxicity to human health and are often NOT included in mold inspection reports. More on this important detail in future blogs.
Our First Encounter with Mold
Our journey began with what seemed like a minor issue: multiple small leaks through the roof caused from a previous roof replacement that was not properly completed up to code. At first, we didn't think much of it. We had the leaks inspected and repaired and moved on with our lives. Little did we know, the moisture had seeped into multiple different areas of drywall throughout the house, creating an ideal environment for mold growth.
Months later, my wife began experiencing a variety of symptoms: fatigue, persistent migraines, body aches, dizziness and sharp debilitating eye pain. As a doctor, I was puzzled. These symptoms seemed unrelated, yet they persisted and worsened over time.
Discovering Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
After taking her to over 12 different medical specialists, thousands spent on MRIs, CT scans and blood tests, I finally discovered that my wife may be suffering from CIRS, a complex illness triggered by biotoxin exposures like those created by mold. CIRS involves a chronic inflammatory response of the immune system that fails to resolve, leading to persistent and often debilitating symptoms. CIRS can persist for some individuals, even after moving away from a mold contaminated dwelling.
Symptoms of CIRS:
Chronic Fatigue: My wife’s energy levels were severely depleted, and rest provided no relief.
Cognitive Issues: She struggled with memory, concentration, and often felt confused.
Musculoskeletal Pain: Joint pain and muscle aches became a daily struggle.
Exercise Intolerance: If there was a day that she felt better, too much physical exertion would trigger a massive crash the next day with a flare up of all her symptoms for weeks.
Mood Disorders: Anxiety, depression, and mood swings added to her distress due to the frustration of not knowing the cause of her symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: She experienced frequent abdominal pains and irregular bowel movements.
Dizziness/Vertigo: She felt constantly dizzy and would experience random dizziness attacks that would cause her entire body to turn and sway in response.
Multiple Food and Chemical Sensitivities: My wife developed random food sensitivities that would trigger immediate fatigue, brain fog and dizziness attacks. She never developed many chemical sensitivities, but it is documented to happen in CIRS patients.
Diagnosing CIRS:
Diagnosing CIRS involves a combination of clinical evaluation and specialized testing. Based on the research and years of clinical experience from Dr. Richie Shoemaker, MD, he discovered the following key diagnostic criteria:
History of Exposure: We confirmed exposure to our water-damaged home environment.
Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) Test: A functional vision test that can detect neurological deficits related to biotoxin exposure.
Biomarker Testing: Laboratory tests identified specific inflammatory markers, hypopituitary function and genetic predispositions (HLA-DR genotyping).
Symptom Clusters: A detailed symptom survey form with 13 different categories and 37 cluster symptoms helps identify CIRS in a very inexpensive way.
Dr. Shoemaker’s work and his ongoing research can be found at www.survivingmold.com.
The Path to Healing
Once we understood the root cause, our focus shifted to treatment and remediation. Here’s what we learned and implemented:
Removing Exposure: The first and most crucial step was to eliminate exposure to the mold. We had to undergo extensive mold testing and remediation in our home, which involved professional help to thoroughly remove mold-infested materials and clean the environment.
Medications: My wife started on cholestyramine, a binding agent to help remove mold biotoxins from her body.
Anti-inflammatory Treatments: Addressing systemic inflammation was vital. CIRS specific lab markers showed inflammation levels were high and Omega 3 fish oils were utilized over many weeks to start controlling the inflammation.
MARCoNS and nasal infections: a nasal swab test showed excessive overgrowth of antibiotic resistant Staph in her sinuses, a common finding in CIRS patients that must be addressed early on.
Addressing Water Damage and Mold in Your Home
Preventing and addressing water damage is the first step in combating mold growth. Here’s a step-by-step approach based on our experience:
Identify the Source: Locate and fix the source of water intrusion. This might involve repairing leaks, improving drainage, or addressing high humidity levels.
Dry Affected Areas: Use dehumidifiers, fans, and heaters to thoroughly dry areas affected by water damage. It only takes 48 hours of moisture to trigger mold growth.
Remove Damaged Materials: Porous materials like drywall, insulation, and carpets may need to be removed and replaced if they have been contaminated.
Clean and Disinfect: Non-porous surfaces can be cleaned with water and detergent. Commercial grade Hydrogen Peroxide works well to clean surfaces. In severe cases, professional mold remediation may be necessary.
Prevent Future Mold Growth: Ensure proper ventilation, measure humidity levels throughout the house, use dehumidifiers in damp areas, and regularly inspect your home for signs of water damage.
Professional Mold Remediation
When mold growth is extensive, professional remediation is often required. Mold remediation specialists follow a stringent process to ensure thorough removal:
Inspection and Assessment: Professionals will assess the extent of mold growth and the damage caused.
Containment: To prevent mold spores from spreading, they will isolate the contaminated areas using physical barriers and negative air pressure.
Air Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are used to capture mold spores from the air.
Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials: Non-salvageable materials are removed, and surfaces are treated with antifungal and antimicrobial solutions.
Cleaning and Restoration: Finally, the area is cleaned, sanitized, and restored to its original condition.
I personally recommend Best Option Restoration of Travis County. They were very knowledgeable and thorough in their remediation practices. Safety and cross contamination of mold particles was of their utmost concern while remediating.
Living in a Mold-Free Home
Maintaining a mold-free home requires vigilance and regular upkeep. Here are some tips to keep your home mold-free:
Control Humidity: Keep indoor humidity levels below 55%. Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers, especially in damp areas like basements.
Ventilate: Ensure that kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are well-ventilated. Use exhaust fans and keep your AC running to keep humidity levels constant.
Monitor for Leaks: Regularly check for leaks in roofs, walls, and plumbing systems. Address any issues promptly.
Air Purifiers: High grade air purification systems can be very beneficial to keep dust and air impurities from accumulating in high amounts.
Regular Cleaning: be sure to clean and dust your home regularly to prevent accumulation on furniture, dressers and head boards.
Our journey with CIRS has been challenging, but it has also been a learning experience. Understanding the relationship between water damage and mold growth, recognizing the symptoms of mold illness and CIRS, and taking appropriate measures to address and prevent mold can protect your health and home. If you suspect mold in your home, act quickly to mitigate the damage and seek professional help if necessary. A proactive approach to water damage and mold prevention will ensure a safe and healthy living environment for you and your family.
I hope our story can help those who are struggling with similar issues. Remember, you’re not alone, and there are solutions and support available. A multidisciplinary team is needed to heal from CIRS. Stay vigilant, take care of your home, and most importantly, take care of your health.
If you suspect you or a loved one may be suffering from mold illness, be sure to schedule a free 30 min consultation with my office. Call/Text us at 512-399-4276 or email at frontoffice@drmedinaclinic.com
Stay Healthy My Friends,
Dr. Ernesto Medina
