We often run into customers who talk of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). CIRS occurs when there is widespread inflammation caused by a bio-toxin (often mold) in the body that leads to immune system dysfunction. “Mold illness” is a subcategory of CIRS but this inflammatory process can also be caused by exposure to other bio-toxins including Lyme disease. I once had a healthcare practitioner tell me that if you have Lyme Disease, you likely have been in a water damaged home or building for an extended period of time. He went on to say millions of people have Lyme Disease with no symptoms until their body has been subjected to mold toxins. This creates an overload on the immune system and symptoms manifest themselves.
The complex nature of mold illness has caused many patients to go from doctor to doctor wondering what’s wrong with them. People are often sick for years before ever receiving a diagnosis. For a long time there weren’t very many answers for people with CIRS. However, recent developments including studies and improved testing have offered thousands of people relief. We now know that mold and mycotoxins from water damaged buildings or homes can cause all kinds of health related issues. There is a gene which encodes a specific protein giving the body and immune system information about toxins.