Mould Illness (CIRS) - Healthy Home Biologist

“24% OF THE POPULATION CANNOT CREATE ANTIBODIES TO FUNGI, WHICH MEANS THAT THESE PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE EVERY TIME THEY ARE IN A WATER DAMAGED BUILDING ”

What is mould illness (CIRS) Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) (also known as mould illness) is an illness that often in some of the population after significant exposure a water damaged building. The exposure levels to what one person may be able to tolerate to another differ completely and depend upon ones genetic makeup and also the functioning of various body system. Mycotoxins are the toxic chemicals present in mould spores and have been attributed to the adverse health effects and symptoms from being in a water damaged building. The present of mycotoxins in the body can produce a cyclical inflammatory response in susceptible people and lead to an array or cluster of symptoms. Around 24% of the population has a HLA-DR gene which means they cannot create antibodies to mold and are genetically susceptible to mould illness (CIRS)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOM CLUSTERS OF MOULD ILLNESS

Fatigue
Allergies and sinus congestion
Poor memory and impairment
Weakness and aches
Brain fog and forgetfullnes
Headaches
Static shock
Poor Concentration
Mood swings
Tingling, numbness or unusual skin sensations
Decreased word finding
Digestive complaints – diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating
Joint pain
Frequent urination
Difficulty regulating body temperature
Unexplained weight gain/inability to lose weight
Asthma and/or bronchitis
Cough and shortness of breath
Coughing up blood
Appetite swings
Excessive thirst
Dermatitis/eczema
Frequent infections – thrush, ringworm, athlete’s foot
Allergies
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Multiple food intolerances
Frequent rhinitis or sinusitis
Excessive sneezing
Frequent static shocks
Low resilience to stress
Vertigo
Fibromyalgia
Tremors
MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome)
EMF sensitivity

INVESTIGATIONS FOR MOULD ILLNESS

CIRS/mould illness is often complex and difficult to get a diagnosis of, especially of symptoms alone. There is currently no one single test that can diagnose mould illness and instead a combination of symptoms and laboratories is used. Alongside the investigation of past or present water damaged building exposure. Some of the pathology and clinical tests that can be used along with symptom correlation include

Genetic Testing for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) This is a genetic test used to determine whether a person is one of the 24% of the population that cannot create antibodies to mold or if their immune system can identify mould as a pathogen and effectively remove bio toxins from the body
Online Visual Contrast Sensitivity Screening (VCS) The VCS screening test is a measure of one of the neurologic functions of vision called contrast. This contrast can be affected when biotoxin or mold illness is present.

Blood markers Indications

Urinary mycotoxin test A urinary mycotoxin test can detect whether their are mould toxins within the body. The mycotoxin test will what types of mycotoxins are present or not present within the body. These mycotoxins could include:

Tricothecenes
Alfatoxins
Ochratoxin
AZearalenone

Urinary markers in Organic Acid Tests
High oxalate
High aspergillus
Low glutathione
Low Vitamin C

Stool testing
High clostridia
High beta-glucoronidase
High yeast and fungus
Low bifidobacterium and lactobacillus

NATUROPATHIC TREATMENT

Once an initial comprehensive naturopathic consultation has been conducted, an individualised treatment plan is formed. The focus on the functioning and elimination/detoxification of various body systems such as liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, gastrointestinal system, elimination organs etc. Alongside the later introduction of natural binders such as high quality bentonite clays, charcoal and zeolites, nutrient replenishment and rebalancing of the gut microbiome. As well as the investigate of the big elephant in the room: where is the biotoxin/mould exposure coming from?

References