Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
CIRS was first used as a term in the 1990s by Dr Ritchie Shoemaker to describe a particular multi-symptom, multi-system chronic illness. Exposure to certain environmental ‘inflammagens’ and pathogenic organisms (which can collectively be termed ‘biotoxins’) is understood to trigger this chronic inflammatory response in the body. According to Dr. Shoemaker, the following are some key considerations:
Dr. Shoemaker’s work is intimately connected with Dr. Dale Bredesen’s work on cognitive decline and both indicate that exposure to biotoxins can be part of the pathway that leads to cognitive decline. Both Doctors also agree that resulting inflammation and eventual hypo-metabolism can be the net result of exposure, thereby contributing to changes in both body and brain function. CIRS can, therefore, be seen as very much part of the cognitive decline jigsaw and is highlighted as being a key part of the ‘Toxic’ or Type 3 presentation in the work of Dr Bredesen. Having been trained by both Doctors, Louise incorporates their Protocols into her work. Louise participated in Dr Bredesen’s second ever training session at the Buck Institute of Ageing in California in 2016 in order to learn The Bredesen Protocol and in 2018 Louise became the first European practitioner to Certify with Dr Shoemaker. Symptoms can be varied and to some extent ‘invisible’, with neurological symptoms being common.
If you think that your health may have been affected by possible exposure to any of the triggers noted above then please consider the following symptom chart. These are the 37 most frequent symptoms seen in CIRS-WDB. The total score is important to note, but, each alternating colour of the chart indicates a symptom cluster. A cluster score of more than 8/13 can mean that further testing could be considered. The list given here is simply a guide and would be discussed in more detail during an appointment due to the specific nature of some of the symptom details.
The 37 Most Frequent Symptoms Seen in CIRS-WDB
CIRS-Related Testing
It is also important to be aware that even if you have experienced exposure to a water-damaged building (or any other biotoxin exposure) and feel that your health is compromised, this may not be the only thing affecting your health. All aspects of your health need to be considered to get the fullest picture possible. This is one key benefit to working with a Functionally-trained Practitioner such as Louise! Exposure to certain Herpes viruses may also confer some additional risks relating to immune system priming for example. By working with Louise, or a member of her team, you will learn more about additional health and lifestyle influences that may be having an impact, and we can also consider genetics too.
Once symptoms and your wider health history have been assessed, then testing can be considered by your LCNH Ltd practitioner. CIRS related testing is available via LCNH Ltd, with the VCS test being something that can be done online yourself:
The Biotoxin Pathway
According to a growing body of evidence in peer reviewed studies biotoxin exposure can contribute to significant changes in health for many at-risk people. Risk is understood at this point to be highly associated with HLA type, rendering some people more at-risk than others for environmental-related illness. Dr Shoemaker outlined the pattern of possible response via his Biotoxin Pathway:
The Shoemaker Approach
Whilst CIRS is not yet a recognised diagnosis currently in Europe, CIRS has been accepted as an umbrella term in the United States to describe a syndrome where there has been:
1. Evidence of exposure (e.g. biotoxins from a water damaged building or any of the other triggers listed)
2. Signs and symptoms consistent with exposure
3. Laboratory testing consistent with results seen in published studies
4. Improvement with appropriate therapy
(Source: US Government Accountability Office Report on Indoor Mold September 2008)
Points 1-3 have been covered above and then point 4 relates to the Shoemaker Protocol itself. We use the Shoemaker Protocol as a framework around which to structure a therapeutic protocol. If medical support is required then we can refer on to prescribing practitioners that we work with collegiately and you can then either continue to work with both of us, or transition to solely medical support. For those wanting to undertake a more naturopathic approach that also takes into account wider health factors and does not rely on prescribed medication, then we will work with you to the fullest extent possible.
The Shoemaker Protocol is outlined below:
Your own progress though your personalised Protocol will depend on your initial test results and response to each step. Your Protocol can be amended to a more naturopathic one that does not require medical support should your symptoms indicate this is a reasonable pathway, and in such circumstances, the Protocol will be utilised simply as a framework.
Louise’s perspective on CIRS falls within her naturopathic and Functional Medicine training which highlight the importance of barrier function, trophic support and nutritional status.
Experiencing CIRS is about so much more than the initial exposure; it centres around someone’s individual response which is why so much focus is placed on the Biotoxin pathway rather than just simply a ‘detoxification’ process. If you have any questions please let us know via info@louisecarder.com
