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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Mold Exposure and it's effects: CIRS

8/11/2018 (Permalink)

Example of Significant Mold related to water damage

SERVPRO of Dubuque recently received a call from a customer whose daughter was diagnosed with CIRS and was concerned about the air quality in her home and how it might affect her daughter.  She was interested in our knowledge of “Small Particle Cleaning, a new paradigm in cleaning.

As always, neither SERVPRO of Dubuque nor our mold consultant MB Mold & Air Quality Testing, cannot and will not offer any health related advice.  We encourage all of our clients to contact their health care professional for any and all questions about their individual health and wellness.

The level of detail that this customer’s questions contained, it was obvious that she had spent a lot of her time researching this topic that we knew very little about.  After extensive research as well as contacting the expert that handles most of our training needs, Ian Cull, PE, CIH of Indoor Sciences. We found out that a very small percentage of IEPs and remediators even know about CIRS and “Small particle cleaning”.

Although this process is relatively unknown at the current time, it appears that this new cleaning process is gaining traction and attention amongst the health care professionals in this specific field.  We just wanted to share some of the information we have found and expose our customer base to this information.

SERVPRO of Dubuque and MB Mold & Air Quality Testing will continue to expand our knowledge in this emerging field as well an any other new techniques that might help us better service our customers.

The following information was found on www.mold-advisor.com, a resource that we use and recommend to our clients.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) is a serious, multi-symptom illness that negatively impacts more than one system in the body. Most often is it caused by exposure to harmful biotoxins or neurotoxins in our environment. These toxins may be caused by:

  • Mold in the home.
  • Pfiesteria – Microscopic organism that produces toxins known to cause large fish kills.
  • Cyanobacteria – Commonly found in lakes and rivers.
  • Lyme disease – Transmitted by tick bites.
  • Poisonous spider bites.
  • Ciguatera – A toxin affecting reef fish that are often consumed by humans.

The effects of this inflammatory syndrome vary depending on the person and their experience. However, the respiratory, neurological, psychological, and gastrointestinal symptoms can be life-changing, no matter the source, which is why it is essential to know the signs and see your doctor if you think you have it. Remember, mold allergies are not the same as mold illness, so it is critical to determine the reason for your symptoms. If you recently had flooding in your home or the interior of your household has been humid, you will also want to determine if your symptoms of CIRS are being caused by exposure to mold in your home.

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)?

Since this syndrome can develop in our bodies from multiple biological sources, different acute indicators may arise in different people. Whether it results from eating contaminated food, breathing in mold or something else, there are a few general and more common symptoms to watch out for. 

The general symptoms of CIRS may include:

  • Fatigue and/or general malaise 
  • Chills
  • Headache 
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Joint and/or muscle pain
  • Fever 
  • Stomach pain 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Nasal and/or sinus problems 
  • Eye irritation
  • Sensitive skin

Characteristics of CIRS From Mold Exposure

It is important to know that the effects of chronic inflammatory response syndrome from mold exposure will present itself differently than if it was caused by something else, such as a spider bite, a burn or lyme disease. In fact, when a person develops this syndrome due to mold exposure specifically, they will usually experience some of these symptoms, in addition to those mentioned above: 

These symptoms are also typical signs of illnesses like influenza, indoor and outdoor allergies, and the common cold, so it is important to see your physician if you have them.

Seeing a Doctor for CIRS 

If you have any of the above symptoms of CIRS, see a doctor right away. It is critical to seek medical advice as soon as possible, because unlike dealing with the flu or a cold, the effects of chronic inflammatory response syndrome may not go away. In fact, ignoring the acute effects of the disease can lead to the development of chronic illness, which can significantly affect your quality of life.

Over time, the chronic effects of CIRS can lead to:

  • Light sensitivity
  • Memory problems 
  • Disorientation and/or confusion
  • Mood dysregulation 
  • Body temperature dysregulation 
  • Night sweating  
  • Muscle weakness
  • Depression
  • Frequent urination
  • Static shocks 
  • Increased thirst 
  • Tremor 
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Appetite changes 
  • Metallic taste 

The chronic symptoms of CIRS are alarming and could have a significant impact on your health. Therefore, it is not only important to treat your symptoms, but to also determine their cause as soon as possible. Make an appointment with your doctor to review how you are feeling. At your visit, your doctor will perform a medical exam, as well as discuss your health history for illnesses that cause CIRS and other forms of inflammation. They may also ask you if your immediate family members currently have or have ever had a condition like Lyme disease or cancer. In most cases, they will want a blood test to see if your body is reacting to inflammation. They will look for other reasons for your symptoms, including diabetes mellitus, liver disease, renal disease, and several autoimmune illnesses. They will also talk to you about your diet and home environment to determine if the cause is external. 

Talk to your doctor about the chances that the toxicity is coming from your home or what you eat. Whether you need to eliminate recluse spiders from your attic, treat your lyme disease, or remove mold from your bathroom ceiling, stopping the reason for your CIRS at the source can improve your medical prognosis and ensure no one else in your family develops the illness. It can also help rule out other types of disease.

Checking Your Home for Signs of Mold

No matter the cause, chronic inflammatory response syndrome is a severe illness with lasting consequences. In many cases, it does develop as a result of toxic mold exposure, which is why it is important to have your home checked if you or your doctor think mold may be causing your symptoms. A professional mold inspection completed by an experienced technician will determine if mold is present, and they will let you know what needs to be done to safely remove it. 

Contact SERVPRO of Dubuque and/or our mold consultant MB Mold & Air Quality Testing if you have further questions or would like testing done in your home.

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