What is CIRS caused by?
The original name for CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) was mold sickness. This is because mold and the mysterious symptoms of CIRS had a direct connection.
And that still holds true – mold causes CIRS. However, as more patients are treated and more studies are completed, research is digging even deeper to find out what CIRS is caused by. This research proves the causes of CIRS are far more complex than just mold.
There are new players, actinomycetes and endotoxins, that cause CIRS as well. Fortunately, the blood test Shoemaker Protocol practitioners use to diagnose CIRS, the GENIE test, will tell you what biotoxins are causing your illness. This will help you target them in your remediation.
Read on to learn more about the multiple causes of CIRS.
The Mold Menace: A Common Cause
Many patients who suffer from CIRS can trace the origins of their illness to a mold exposure. Mold and its related mycotoxins can trigger immune responses in patients who are susceptible to the illness. This is not to be confused with a mold allergy – you can read more about the difference between CIRS and a mold allergy in my previous blog post.
The first step of the Shoemaker Protocol is removing yourself from exposure. To do this, you need to evaluate your home for mold growth. At the very least, ensure the following mold species are tested for:
- Aspergilus Penicilloides
- Aspergillus Versicolor
- Chaetomium Globosum
- Stachybotrys Chartarum
- Wallemia Sebi
The only test you should use for mold are a qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) or NGS (next generation sequencing). These two tests use an electrostatic cloth for dust collection. You will send this cloth to a qualified laboratory for analysis.
Air sampling for mold is useless. This is because mycotoxins settle on surfaces. It is incredibly rare for mycotoxins to be circulating through the air at the time of an air sample. Also, an air sample will only test less than 0.1% of the air in your home. This is not a good representation of your entire home environment.
Beyond Mold: Causes of CIRS
You’ve remediated your home from all the mold. You’ve tested it again and again (and again) – You’ve taken binders for months. But you’re not getting better.
What’s going on?
It could be that there is another biotoxin (or two) at play. Actinomycetes and/or endotoxins could be keeping you sick.
What is CIRS Caused by: Actinomycetes
The result of further research into the causes of CIRS has been the discovery of actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are a bacteria that are found in soil, compost and buildings with water damage.
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, who discovered CIRS and has created the 12 step process to treat CIRS, has included actinomycetes in the list of potential contributors to the condition.
In his research, he has found actinomycetes can grow and become airborne in a water damaged environment, which may lead to inhalation. If these people are susceptible to developing CIRS, their immune system will react to the actinomycetes and lead to an inflammatory response. The response can trigger chronic inflammation, which cause the metabolic abnormalities that contribute to the symptoms of CIRS.
If the GENIE shows us you are affected by actinomycetes, you will need to test both your home and your skin. There are five known species of actinomycetes that can colonize your skin: Cornybacterium Amycolatum, Cornybacterium Simulans, Cornybacterium Tuberculostearicum, Cornybacterium Xerosis and Propionibacterium Acnes (Cutibacterium Acnes).
What this means is that if actinomycetes colonize your skin, you become the source of ongoing exposure – not your home. If this is the case, you will need to follow a specific cleaning protocol to remove these bacteria. The first step of the Shoemaker protocol is removal from exposure. If you’re not out of exposure, you’re not going to recover – and this includes your skin.
Unseen Forces: Endotoxins
Actinomycetes are not the only newly discovered cause of CIRS. There is another bacteria related biotoxin, known as endotoxins, that might be behind your illness.
The outer membrane of a certain type of bacteria contain endotoxins. The breakdown of this bacteria releases endotoxins, and exposure occurs through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. While endotoxins are a natural part of the environment, health issues can occur with increased exposure.
Just like with actinomycetes, endotoxins can be present in water-damaged buildings. Those who work in agriculture, wastewater treatment and certain industrial processes can be especially susceptible to higher levels of endotoxins. Endotoxins enter the body two ways:
- Inhalation, which can trigger immune responses in the respiratory system.
- Through absorption through the skin, especially through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Once they enter the body, endotoxins activate the immune system, which triggers inflammation. However, in someone who is susceptible to CIRS, this activation can leads to the dysregulated immune system response and chronic inflammation that go along with CIRS.
It’s important to note that the relationship between endotoxin exposure and CIRS is complex, and individual responses can vary. That’s why a proper assessment by a healthcare professional who is familiar with environmental medicine, CIRS, and related conditions is key.
This paper by Dr. Shoemaker and his colleague Dr. Andrew Heyman outlines the pivotal role endotoxins can play on die-back degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. These diseases include Alzheimers, ALS, and Parkinson’s.
If your practitioner suspects actinomycetes or endotoxins are behind your illness, you will need to run thorough indoor environmental sampling. This includes testing for mold (ERMI/HERTSMI-2), actinomycetes, and endotoxins.
Multiple causes of CIRS
CIRS is more than a checklist of symptoms. Multiple biotoxins cause this incredibly complex illness. In addition, every patient’s body experiences the illness differently. There is no cookie cutter method to treating CIRS, and there is no magic pill.
That’s why it is crucial to find a Shoemaker Protocol practitioner to guide you through treatment. At Flourish Clinic, we offer tailored solutions. From personalized assessments to targeted interventions, we acknowledge that each individual’s story is unique. Flourish Clinic is not just a remedy; it’s a partner in your path to wellness.
Flourish Clinic offers:
Comprehensive Assessment:
We embrace the complexity of your health. Our approach involves a detailed assessment that goes beyond the surface, exploring environmental exposures, symptoms, and genetic factors contributing to the CIRS puzzle. Remember, you’ve got to look at all the different biotoxins now associated with CIRS.
Targeted Interventions:
Biotin remediation, detoxification protocols, and immune modulation strategies – Flourish Clinic recognizes that treating CIRS is a multifaceted endeavor.
Unraveling the Enigma
As we peel back the layers of CIRS, it becomes evident that mold, actinomycetes, and endotoxins are the architects of this complex illness. For CIRS patients, the path to healing lies in understanding the nuances of their unique stories.
Mark Volmer has attained the highest level of Shoemaker Protocol certification, and is one of only two of Canada’s Shoemaker Protocol practitioners. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS.
