Mold Illness (CIRS) Root Cause Care
Reviewed by Dr. Martin Hart , DC & Dr. Koji Aoki, DC
Root-Cause Functional Care for
Complex Chronic Symptoms
Many individuals with chronic fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and unexplained multi-system symptoms are later found to have underlying mold-related illness. Mold illness—sometimes referred to as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)—is often overlooked or misunderstood, leaving people searching for answers for years.
Keystone Total Health, located in Columbia, Tennessee, serves individuals throughout the greater Nashville area and welcomes clients from across the United States who are seeking a comprehensive, root-cause approach to mold illness and complex chronic conditions.
— Laurie P.
"For 17 years, I was treated for symptoms only, one at a time, so gradually that I barely noticed that I went from a high-level athlete with a promising future... to barely functional, tired, depressed, and generally unwell. 17 years of pills, fruitless lab tests, and being told it’s “probably in my head – get some exercise!” I can’t thank Dr. Hart enough for restoring my quality of life. My entire family is grateful to him for giving them “me” back. You truly don’t realize how far you’ve come until you start thinking about what your past looked like, and I hope to never be without Dr. Hart."
What Is Mold Illness (CIRS)?
Mold illness, also known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), is a multi-system inflammatory condition that can develop after exposure to mold and other biotoxins—most commonly from water-damaged buildings.
In susceptible individuals, mold biotoxins can trigger a persistent immune and inflammatory response that does not shut off appropriately. Rather than being a localized respiratory issue, mold illness often affects multiple body systems, including the nervous system, immune system, gut, hormonal pathways, and detoxification processes.
Because of this wide-reaching impact, mold illness often overlaps with conditions such as Chronic Fatigue, Hormone Imbalances, and Gut & Digestive Issues.
What Causes Mold Illness?
Mold illness is typically triggered by exposure to biotoxins produced by certain species of mold. These toxins may be inhaled, absorbed, or ingested and can overwhelm the body’s ability to neutralize and eliminate them.
Contributing factors may include:
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Living or working in water-damaged buildings
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Poor ventilation or hidden mold exposure
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Genetic susceptibility affecting toxin clearance
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Immune dysregulation
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Overlapping stressors such as Lyme disease or other infections
For many individuals, mold illness does not occur in isolation. It often overlaps with Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, gut dysfunction, and other inflammatory conditions, increasing symptom complexity.
Common Symptoms
of Mold Illness
Mold illness symptoms vary widely and often affect multiple systems at once. Common symptom patterns may include:
Neurological & Cognitive Symptoms
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Brain fog
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Memory or concentration difficulties
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Headaches
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Light or sound sensitivity
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Mood changes or anxiety
Immune & Inflammatory Symptoms
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Chronic inflammation
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Joint or muscle discomfort
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Frequent illness or immune reactivity
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Heightened allergic responses
Respiratory & Sinus Symptoms
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Chronic sinus congestion
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Cough or throat irritation
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Shortness of breath
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Nasal inflammation
Digestive & Metabolic Symptoms
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Bloating or digestive discomfort
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Food sensitivities
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Changes in appetite
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Overlap with Gut & Digestive Issues such as SIBO or SIFO
Energy & Hormonal Symptoms
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Sleep disruption
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Exercise intolerance
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Temperature sensitivity
Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, mold illness is frequently missed without a structured, root-cause evaluation.
How Mold Illness Becomes Chronic
In healthy individuals, the immune system can identify and eliminate toxins efficiently. In mold illness, however, the immune response may remain chronically activated, leading to sustained inflammation and nervous system stress.
Rather than resolving once exposure ends, symptoms may persist due to:
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Ongoing inflammatory signaling
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Impaired detoxification capacity
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Nervous system dysregulation
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Mineral and nutrient depletion
This helps explain why many people with mold illness continue to feel unwell long after leaving a mold-exposed environment. Addressing Mineral Imbalances & Toxic Load is often an important part of supporting individuals with mold-related illness.
How Mold Biotoxins Trigger
Chronic Inflammation
What Are Biotoxins?
Biotoxins are poisonous substances produced by living organisms. They can come from many sources such as fungus, Borrelia species (Lyme Disease), algae, as well as organic growth found in water damaged buildings. Once they have been introduced into the body, the immune system and detoxification pathways begin trying to clear them quickly. But with a large enough exposure, poor enough health, or genetic susceptibility, these body systems quickly get overwhelmed and produce a predictable inflammatory event.
These biotoxins bind to nearly every type of cell, creating a cytokine event affecting nerve function. In response to these biotoxins, our immune system releases high levels of TGF beta-1, complement proteins, and MMP-9 (releasing more inflammation). High amounts of these inflammatory compounds affect brain receptors (leptin) that maintain healthy weight and appetite. Suddenly balancing your weight and food cravings seems more difficult than ever.
With leptin resistance comes a decrease in melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). These negatively impacts skin, sleep, sex hormones, endorphins, immune suppression, pain regulation, inflammation, leaky gut, and much more. This process makes those afflicted miserable. This long term inflammation leads to a higher incidence of cardiovascular illnesses and certain brain related diseases.
See now how easily your health spiraled out of control?
Below are answers to common questions about mold illness (CIRS), including symptoms, evaluation, and how root-cause functional care may support complex chronic patterns. Keystone Total Health serves clients in Columbia, TN, the greater Nashville area, and individuals who travel from across the United States.
What is mold illness (CIRS)?
Mold illness, sometimes called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), is a complex, multi-system response that may occur after exposure to mold and other biotoxins. It can affect immune regulation, inflammation, nervous system function, and detoxification capacity.
What are common symptoms of mold illness?
Symptoms may include chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches, sinus congestion, respiratory irritation, digestive symptoms, mood changes, sleep disruption, and heightened sensitivity to environments or chemicals.
How do you test for mold illness?
Evaluation often includes a detailed exposure history, symptom patterns, and personalized testing when appropriate. Results are interpreted within the context of immune, inflammatory, and detoxification-related patterns rather than in isolation.
What is mold detox?
“Mold detox” refers to supporting the body’s ability to process and eliminate biotoxins while reducing overall physiological stress. This process must be personalized and carefully paced based on an individual’s capacity and symptom response.
Can mold illness affect the brain?
Yes. Mold-related illness may contribute to neurological symptoms such as brain fog, memory issues, headaches, and sensory sensitivity due to inflammation and nervous system stress.
Can mold illness overlap with Lyme disease?
Yes. Mold illness and Lyme disease frequently overlap and may compound immune and inflammatory stress. Identifying overlapping contributors often helps clarify next steps.
Why do mold symptoms persist even after leaving exposure?
In some individuals, immune activation and inflammatory signaling may continue even after exposure ends. Supporting regulation rather than forcing detox is often an important part of recovery.
Do clients travel to Keystone Total Health for mold illness care?
Yes. Keystone Total Health is located in Columbia, Tennessee, serves the Nashville area, and welcomes clients from across the United States seeking comprehensive evaluation and intensive care options.
"My patients choose me because I’m committed to their journey. I am driven to continue to learn and grow so that you have the best care possible. I’m ready to face any obstacle alongside my patients and I will never give up on you."
— Dr. Koji Aoki, Keystone Total Health
Dr. Aoki is a respected Mold Toxicity specialist with a dedicated patient base of those suffering or those who have suffered from mold toxicity conditions. Such a focused caseload enables Dr. Aoki to curate the most complex mold toxicity cases to more quickly and accurately prescribe beneficial protocols to help restore your health and wellness after mold exposure.
How Do You Measure Up?
In advance of your complimentary discovery call, we invite you to complete the Keystone Comprehensive Mold Toxicity Assessment to determine a baseline on your current Mold Toxicity symptoms and condition. This will help us move efficiently on our screening call and determine if we're the right healthcare provider for you.
How Mold Illness Is Evaluated at Keystone Total Health
Functional Testing to Understand Chronic and Unresolved Symptoms
The good news is these jeopardized biotoxin pathways leave inflammatory markers that we can measure via laboratory tests. Depending on your affectations, we may conduct any of the following tests to identify your condition:
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Urine Mycotoxins: Measures the amount of mold toxins in a person’s urine. Often helpful to do deep tissue massage before testing to ensure adequate drainage.
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Organic Acids Test: A urine test which measures the metabolites associated with some of the effects of biotoxin illness.
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Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) Testing: An online test used to measure the effect of biotoxins on the nervous system and monitor treatment.
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HLA DR Genetic Testing (HLA DR1,3,4,5, DQ): genetic testing for mold susceptibility.
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Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP): neuroregulatory hormone for inflammation, digestion, and lung function, among other pathways.
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Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH): regulates hormones, endorphins, and sleep cycles. Important for neuroregulation and the immune response.
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Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGF Beta-1): Regulates the innate immune system, controls growth of cells, cell movement, and cell death. Can cause lungs to “remodel” or change to become more reactive.
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Complete C3a and C4a: Inflammation marker for the innate immune system.
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Anti-Gliadin Antibodies (IgA/IgG): Produced in response to gluten, such as wheat, barley, or rye.
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ACTH/Cortisol: Signaling and steroid hormones that are produced in response to stress.
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): new blood vessel formation and growth, and healthy blood flow to the capillary beds.
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Autoantibodies IgA/IgG/IgM (anticardiolipins and antiphospholipids): Parts of the immune system that attack our own cells/tissues.
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Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)/Osmolarity: Also known as vasopressin, controls the amount of water the body keeps or releases.
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Matrix Metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9): enzyme that breaks down the extracellular matrix. Plays a role in COPD, RA, cardiovascular disease, and other tissue breakdown processes.
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Leptin: Regulates how the body holds fatty acids.
Many individuals choose to undergo this evaluation through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive, which provides a structured and immersive assessment process for complex chronic conditions.
Transform Your Health Naturally
Why Mold Illness Is Often Missed
Mold illness is frequently overlooked because:
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Symptoms are non-specific and multi-system
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Standard labs may appear “normal”
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Mold exposure is not always obvious
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The condition does not fit neatly into one diagnosis
A root-cause functional approach focuses on why the body is responding the way it is, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Here’s How We’ll Do This Together
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Book Your Keystone Root Cause Analysis™
During your initial one-hour appointment with one of our practitioners, the Keystone Root Cause Analysis™ provides a comprehensive, root-cause evaluation that reviews physical, environmental, and social factors to understand your symptoms and identify personalized next steps.
A Thoughtful, Individualized Path Forward
There is no single solution for mold illness. Every individual’s response, exposure history, and physiology are different. Our role is to help you understand your health patterns and provide a clear, personalized path forward based on careful analysis—not assumptions.
Mold Illness Care Through the
Keystone Root Cause Intensive™
Mold illness care at Keystone Total Health is typically provided through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive™, a focused, all-inclusive program designed to bring clarity and direction within a structured timeframe.
The process includes:
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A complimentary discovery call
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The Keystone Root Cause Analysis™ (new client appointment)
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Advanced functional evaluation when appropriate
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A personalized care plan based on root-cause findings
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Ongoing support and reassessment
