What is CIRS? The Truth About Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
The Mystery of Unexplained Symptoms
Do you feel constantly exhausted yet struggle to get restorative sleep? Do you experience brain fog, body aches, or unexplained mood swings—yet every test comes back "normal"? If so, you’re not alone. Many people with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) go undiagnosed for years, cycling through doctors, misdiagnoses, and treatments that fail to bring relief.
CIRS is a real, scientifically recognized condition that affects millions worldwide—but it’s often misunderstood. Let’s break it down so you can better understand what’s happening in your body and how to find a path forward.
CIRS: A Breakdown of the Science
CIRS is a chronic, multi-system illness triggered by exposure to biotoxins—harmful substances released by mold, bacteria, and other environmental sources. Unlike typical toxin exposure, CIRS occurs when the immune system fails to clear these toxins, leading to widespread inflammation and dysfunction across multiple body systems.
Common Triggers of CIRS
Water-Damaged Buildings → Mold, mycotoxins, actinomyces bacteria, endotoxins
Tick-Borne Infections → Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella
Cyanobacteria Exposure → Found in lakes, rivers, and water sources
Toxic Algae Blooms → Harmful algae that release neurotoxins
For those with genetic susceptibility (about 24% of the population), the body fails to recognize and eliminate these toxins, causing a chronic inflammatory response that spirals out of control.
Symptoms of CIRS: More Than Just Fatigue
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing CIRS is its wide range of symptoms, which vary from person to person. These symptoms can affect multiple organ systems, making it difficult to pinpoint a single cause.
Common Symptoms of CIRS Include:
Brain fog (memory loss, trouble concentrating, mental fatigue)
Extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Headaches & light sensitivity
Digestive issues (IBS-like symptoms, nausea, food intolerances)
Chronic pain (muscle aches, joint pain, nerve pain)
Shortness of breath, sinus congestion, persistent cough
Mood imbalances (anxiety, depression, irritability)
Temperature regulation issues (feeling too hot or too cold)
Frequent infections due to weakened immune function
These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Autoimmune diseases
Anxiety, depression, or psychosomatic illness
Early-onset Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline
CIRS isn’t just about one or two symptoms—it’s a full-body inflammatory process that can make even the most basic daily tasks feel overwhelming.
Why CIRS is Overlooked by Most Doctors
CIRS is not widely taught in conventional medical training, which means many doctors miss the root cause and instead treat individual symptoms. Since standard blood work often looks "normal," many patients are told their symptoms are psychological or "just stress."
However, advanced biomarker testing has changed this. Researchers like Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker have identified measurable lab markers that prove the existence of CIRS. These include:
C4a → Indicates excessive immune system activation
TGF-beta1 → Shows chronic immune dysfunction and inflammation
MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone) → A key regulator of pain, immune balance, and sleep
MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci) → A bacterial infection common in CIRS patients
These biomarkers confirm what patients have known all along: Their symptoms are real, measurable, and treatable.
Finding a Path to Healing
The good news? CIRS is treatable. The key is removing exposure, supporting detoxification, and rebalancing the immune system.
Steps to Recovery
✔ Identify & Remove Exposure → Testing your home for mold, reducing biotoxin exposure, and addressing environmental factors
✔ Targeted Detoxification → Using binders (like activated charcoal and cholestyramine) to remove biotoxins
✔ Support Immune & Nervous System Regulation → Anti-inflammatory nutrition, nervous system retraining, and immune support protocols
✔ Personalized Treatment → Working with a practitioner trained in CIRS to develop an individualized plan
Many people dramatically improve once they begin addressing the root cause of their symptoms rather than just masking them with medications.
You Are Not Alone—There is Hope
If you’ve been searching for answers, feeling dismissed, or losing hope—know this: Your symptoms are real. Your experience is valid. And there is a path to recovery.
CIRS may be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. By understanding the science, seeking proper testing, and taking targeted action, you can move toward healing, clarity, and vitality.