You may be doing everything “right”—eating clean, exercising regularly, and managing stress— yet still struggling with fatigue, brain fog, and unexplained inflammation. For many individuals, the missing link is toxic mold exposure and its often-overlooked consequence: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
At Alpha Care Wellness Center, we specialize in uncovering and treating complex, hidden conditions like CIRS using a science-driven functional medicine approach that addresses root causes and promotes long-term healing.
What is CIRS?
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a multi-system, multi-symptom illness triggered by prolonged exposure to biotoxins, particularly mold from water-damaged buildings. Other contributing factors can include Lyme disease, MARCoNS (multiple antibiotic-resistant coagulase-negative staph), and algal toxins.
Unlike an allergy, CIRS is a genetic and immune-mediated response that leads to persistent inflammation, hormonal disruption, and neurological dysfunction. This complex response makes it difficult to diagnose and often leaves patients misdiagnosed or untreated.
Symptoms of CIRS
Mold-related illness can manifest in a wide range of chronic, non-specific symptoms, often affecting multiple systems in the body. Common signs include:
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Chronic fatigue and unrefreshing sleep
- Sinus congestion or post-nasal drip
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
- Muscle aches or joint stiffness
- Respiratory symptoms
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
Because of its wide-ranging effects, CIRS is frequently mistaken for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, or even autoimmune disease.
Functional Medicine Solutions for CIRS
At Alpha Care Wellness Center, we use a targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategy to help patients identify and recover from CIRS:
- Advanced Testing
We go beyond standard lab work to identify overlooked biomarkers, including:
- HLA-DR genetic susceptibility
- MMP-9, C4a, TGF-beta1
- MARCoNS nasal swab
- Mycotoxin urine analysis
- Visual contrast sensitivity testing (VCS)
- Toxin Identification
We assess your living and working environments—both current and historical—to identify possible sources of mold exposure. When appropriate, we recommend air testing and home evaluations to measure indoor air quality.
- Biotoxin Elimination
Safe and effective detoxification is critical. We utilize evidence-based binders such as cholestyramine, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay to remove circulating biotoxins from the body.
- Repair and Rebuild
Recovery involves more than detox. We support liver detoxification, gut repair, mitochondrial function, and immune system balance to help the body heal from systemic damage.
- Emotional and Nervous System Support
Chronic illness often takes a toll on mental health. We integrate tools such as vagus nerve stimulation, EMDR, and mindfulness practices to address the emotional and neurological aspects of recovery.
Healing is Possible
If you’ve visited multiple doctors without answers and still feel unwell, you’re not imagining your symptoms. Mold toxicity and CIRS may be the underlying cause—and it is treatable.
Book a CIRS consultation today and take the first step on your healing journey with Alpha Care Wellness Center.
