Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) symptoms are varied and are usually a collection of disparate symptoms which may be referred to as Biotoxin Illness, or Mold Illness. It was initially thought that these symptoms were caused by mold exposure only. However, further research indicates bacteria, fungus and various viral infections are also implicated in the development of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
It is quite a dilemma for both patients and physicians in dealing with such a complex illness as CIRS, which overlaps and can mimic symptoms associated with other conditions such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and some Auto Immune Disorders. CIRS may often be misdiagnosed, or under diagnosed.
CIRS Symptoms are Many
General symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, flu-like symptoms, exhaustion, insomnia, sensitivity to environment, and possible multiple diagnoses from various doctors.
Eye/Ear/Nose/Throat Symptoms
Blurred or hazy vision, eyes sensitive to light, eyes tear easily, puffy/dark circles below the eyes, night blindness, Hearing symptoms include ringing in the ears, hearing loss or dizziness. The nose/throat may experience sinus or congestion, nose bleeds, sensitive to odors, vocal cord polyps, nasal polyps, laryngitis or raspy voice, burning in the throat, or sore throat.
CIRS Symptoms of Joints and Muscles
Joint pain, shooting pain, ice-pick sharp pain, burning pain, stabbing pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches, muscle weakness, fleeting pain/pain that moves around. Tics, spastic muscles, charlie horses, hands curl up like a claw, toes/feet curl up, and morning stiffness could be signs.
Lungs/Heart Symptoms
Shortness of breath and tachycardia (fast heart beat) with exercise, cough, wheezing, asthma, swelling or edema, heart palpitations, heart pounds intermittently
CIRS Digestive/Liver/Urinary Symptoms
Metallic taste in mouth, bile reflux, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, weight gain, urinary frequency
Nervous/Endocrine/Immune Symptoms
Insomnia, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, poor concentration, poor short-term memory, forgetfulness, can’t remember names or words, poor word recall, disorientation, decreased learning ability, extreme thirst, low blood pressure, poor body temperature regulation, numbness, tingling, tremors, vertigo, Parkinson’s-like symptoms, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, lack of sex drive, swollen and painful lymph nodes
CIRS Symptoms on Skin
Skin is sensitive, itchy, feels like bugs crawling on skin, feels like bugs stinging or biting but there is nothing there. Skin may bruise easily, or have Itchy pimples, sores, bumpy skin, thickened skin, skin peeling, burning sensations. The face may be red, or body skin sweats – especially at night, static shocks, skin reacts to sun, even through clothing sometimes, vitiligo, cherry hemangiomas, and urticaria, commonly known as hives
Extremities
Cold hands/feet, discolored hands and feet such as white and red mottling, numbness in parts of the body, e.g. foot “goes to sleep”, tingling, hands shake, and clawing of fingers or toes
If you have any of the symptoms listed and you have sought medical treatment with no significant results we encourage you to make an appointment.
RELATED INFORMATION
Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing
Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing, commonly known as Visual Contrast Testing, was originally developed by the U.S. Military Medical Services as a visual assessment for jet fighter pilots. It is a testing measure for the ability to see details at variable contrast levels of grey. While in fact it is a nonspecific test of neurological immune functional assessment- it is found to possess a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity for biotoxin exposure.
Visual contrast ability is impaired in most CIRS sufferers whereby over 90% of them fail a simple VCS test. VCS testing provides an initial indication of whether CIRS is a likely diagnosis, although it cannot confirm or rule out CIRS.
Exclusive NIHA Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Articles
Understanding Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, or CIRS
CIRS: When Your Immune System Gets Stuck in Overdrive To understand what happens in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, CIRS, imagine your body has an internal smoke alarm. When a fire breaks out, the alarm sounds, the sprinklers turn on, and the fire...
Mold Exposure in Washington, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic Region
For residents of Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (the DMV region), mold exposure is not just an occasional household nuisance; it is a pervasive environmental hazard driven by geography and architecture. The region’s humid climate features high annual rainfall...
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: A Misdiagnosed and Under-diagnosed Disease
CIRS is Difficult to Diagnose Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, or CIRS, was originally described as "Water Damaged Building Illness." A CIRS diagnosis can be difficult because it is an illness which exhibits multiple symptoms and systems and occurs when one is...