Expert Recap: Is CIRS a Real Disease? For a condition to qualify as a legitimate medical diagnosis, it needs to pass three criteria: The condition must have a defined, reproducible symptom pattern published in journals, where other clinicians and researchers have scrutinized and validated the findings. Not on blogs or websites. There must … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and CIRS Mast cells are immune cells that are concentrated in your gut lining, sinuses, lungs, skin, and urinary tract. When they detect a threat, they release a cascade of chemical signals to sound the alarm. Normally this works well: threat detected, alarm raised, immune system responds, threat … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: CIRS vs. Mold Allergies Although CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) and a mold allergy are both triggered by mold, that is where the similarities end. In a mold allergy, when the trigger is removed, the immune system calms down, symptoms resolve. Antihistamines moderate symptoms. It is uncomfortable, but it follows … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: Travelling with CIRS Travelling with CIRS is possible with the strategic preparation. Prioritizing access to outdoor air circulation and safe accommodations are key. Bring a portable air purifier and ensure you have enough binders to get through a flare. Finally, trust your intuition. If somewhere feels unsafe, leave. If you're … [Read more...]
Why Some Patients Don’t Respond to Binders (and What to Try Next) *Note: this blog was written by me, Mark Volmer. All spelling mistakes, misquotes, errors, and omissions are my own doing. It is not AI generated.* I’ve been taking my binders daily for months,” Erin said, her voice tired but hopeful, “but I still drag. My brain fog cycles. I feel … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: Post-Exertional Malaise in CIRS Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is not tiredness. It is a disproportionate, often delayed worsening of your baseline symptoms after any type of exertion. The crash often doesn't arrive until 12 to 48 hours after the activity that caused it, and recovery can take days or, in severe cases, much longer. As … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: How to Manage Social Boundaries when you have CIRS Community and support is key to CIRS recovery, but socializing can drain your already low battery. To connect with friends in a way that works for you, follow these four boundaries: Control your environment: Reduce sensory overload before it starts by getting together with … [Read more...]
Expert Recap: CIRS and Lyme Disease How CIRS and Lyme Disease Overlap. And How to Treat Both When I first met Sara, she came in with brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, and a history of mold exposure. Six months earlier, she’d been treated for Lyme. The doctor said she “should be better by now.” Over time, she got worse, not better. That’s … [Read more...]
