Chronic Inflammatory Response (CIRS)

The science behind why these symptoms occur is important in understanding CIRS. In addition to CIRS causing overall inflammation, the body goes into conservation mode by slowing down its metabolic rate. This hypometabolic state can cause:

·       The body to not make as much DNA, or protein, and the mitochondria produce less energy

·       Hormones in the hypothalamus to malfunction due to inflammation blocking the receptors 

·       Abnormal levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), the hormone that balances the water in the body, can cause a free release of too much water from the body, resulting in dizziness, vertigo, thirst, and polyuria (increased urination). 80% of CIRS patients have abnormal ADH levels

·       Reduced production of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the hormone that helps generate other hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, causing different kinds of hormone imbalances 

·       Lower levels of oxygen in the blood, which impair the body’s ability to remove toxins. The more the toxins circulate in the body, the more inflammation in the body

·       Significant inflammation which can result in cognitive issues and memory changes

Testing and Diagnosis

Diagnosing CIRS:

 1.     A thorough clinical history, in addition to symptom clusters, which helps to determine exposure to toxins. 

2.     A Visual Contrast Screening (VCS) test, which measures the ability to see visual contrast. The VCS determines oxygen and blood flow to the retina and optic nerve since reduced oxygen affects the ability to see contrast. If the VCS is positive, then bloodwork is completed to examine the patient’s genetic predisposition and check inflammatory markers. 

4. Laboratory data: to determine inflammatory and immunologic response.

5. Genomic Expression: Inflammation Explained (GENIE), which identifies genes that have been turned on or off in response to the toxin. The GENIE test can help to differentiate between toxins from tick borne illness, bacteria, and mycotoxins. 

Treatment

In my practice, I follow Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker’s twelve step treatment protocol, which has been used for over twenty-five years to treat patients with biotoxin illness. The protocol starts with removing the patient from exposure to toxins, reducing inflammation and toxins, and then addressing damage from the inflammatory cascade. Once a diagnosis has been made, we take a series of steps to address the removal of the biotoxins. The most important step is determining the source of exposure and remediating the space. It is not possible to reverse all the inflammatory responses in the body while you are drowning in a cascade of inflammation. The steps continue from there to address any dysfunction caused by the CIRS inflammation. Shoemaker’s protocol is a methodical one that needs to be followed in sequence with close evaluation.