Chronic mold exposure can, in some cases, cause acute hypersensitivity and dysregulation of the immune system, called dampness and mold hypersensitivity syndrome (DMHS). This can lead to cognitive issues like brain fog, fatigue, pain, inflammation, infections, and mast cell diseases.
As noted, CIRS is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, also known as mold illness. This is an illness that often occurs after significant exposure to a water-damaged building. Significant exposure may mean different things to different people. For some, a short exposure can do a lot of damage.
In addition to causing the immune system to be underactive, mycotoxins have also been shown to cause elevations of antinuclear antibodies (measured by the blood test known as ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies. These results often indicate autoimmunity, a condition where the immune system attacks our own body.
Mold-derived mycotoxins might induce mitochondria damage [60] and trigger autoimmunity via AMA, which are e.g., detected in more than 90% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis [59].
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the autoimmune disease most closely associated with positive ANA tests. Nearly all SLE patients (97-99%) have a positive ANA. However, it's crucial to remember that a positive ANA alone is not diagnostic of lupus.
Often, molds and mycotoxins cause chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. An example here is a man whose office became extremely moldy. He developed chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, which became incapacitating. Mold cultures in the office showed high levels of Aspergillus niger, ochratoxins, and stachybotrys.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
Allergy shots and oral medications, including over-the-counter antihistamines, may be recommended or prescribed to treat mold toxicity.
Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. The effects of mVOCs are not completely understood and research is still in the early stages.
It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.
A series of events will also cause neurological dysfunction, neuro-endocrine system alterations, imbalance in the gut microbiome, and much more. CIRS is called a “multi-system” illness because it can affect virtually ANY organ system of the body and if left untreated becomes debilitating.
Chronic inflammatory syndrome or CIRS is a condition with a wide range of symptoms that are triggered by biotoxins – typically mold. CIRS describes when a body's immune system is out of whack. For some people, the immune system is simply weakened but for others, it is running rampant.
If you suspect you have Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, it's important you make an appointment with a functional medicine doctor who has experience in working with CIRS.
Mold exposure can cause a variety of neurological effects, including headaches and migraines, cognitive impairments, memory loss, confusion, impaired motor skills, depression, and other behavioral changes. Due to mold exposure, people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to neurological symptoms.
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, potentially helping to clear mold spores from your system. Take it in capsule form to absorb toxins. It's best used under medical supervision, especially after known mold exposure.
Mold can make you sick in 3 ways (1) allergic reaction (2) Invasive fungal infection (3) Mycotoxin poisoning.
Lupus involves periodic flare-ups, in which symptoms intensify, and remission, in which symptoms lessen or disappear. The most common symptoms include fatigue, painful and swollen joints, skin rashes—most notably, a butterfly-shaped rash across the face—unexplained fever, and mouth or nose ulcers.
Your rheumatologist will determine what to do next, such as run additional blood tests to look for signs of an autoimmune disease, or your doctor may decide to watch and wait. Work with your doctor and ask any questions you have about ANA.