Notes on mold, CIRS, and root causes
Clear writing on environmental illness. Evidence where we have it, honesty where we don't.
The 13 CIRS symptom clusters, explained
CIRS symptoms are grouped into 13 clusters spanning more than ten body systems. Here is what each cluster covers, where the 8-of-13 threshold comes from, and how to read it honestly.
How long does it take to recover from mold exposure?
Recovery from mold exposure can take weeks or many months. Here is a realistic timeline, what actually drives it, and why the honest answer is that it depends.
Mold illness symptoms: the full picture and what they mean
The symptoms of mold illness are wide-ranging and easy to mistake for other conditions. Here is the full list, why it looks so scattered, and when mold is actually worth considering.
Always exhausted? When chronic fatigue can point to mold
Constant fatigue has many causes, and mold is one that regularly gets overlooked. Here is when exhaustion is worth connecting to mold exposure, and when it is not.
CIRS, without the hype
CIRS gets used as a label for almost everything online. A grounded look at what it is, what the evidence supports, and where the claims run ahead of the science.
Sinus problems that will not clear, and the mold connection
Chronic congestion, post-nasal drip, and sinus infections that keep coming back can have an environmental cause. Here is how mold fits in, and when to look at your air rather than reach for another antibiotic.
How to test for mold illness, and what each test actually tells you
There are several ways to test for mold in your body and your home. Here is what each one measures, where the uncertainty is, and which tests are worth your money.
Histamine intolerance, MCAS, and the mold overlap
Histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are increasingly linked to mold exposure. Here is what the connection looks like, what the evidence supports, and where to stay cautious.
Suddenly sensitive to smells and chemicals? What it can mean
New sensitivity to perfumes, cleaning products, and everyday smells can be more than an annoyance. Here is how it connects to mold and environmental illness, and when to take it seriously.
Can mold cause anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue?
Mold gets blamed for anxiety, brain fog, and exhaustion more and more. Here is what the evidence actually shows, what the likely mechanism is, and where the claims run ahead of the science.
The signs your home might be making you sick
Water damage is the main driver of indoor mold, and the clues are easier to read than most people think. A practical look at what to check before you spend money on tests.
Why so many doctors miss mold illness
Mold-related illness is easy to overlook and easy to dismiss. Here is why it slips through standard care, and what that means if you have been told nothing is wrong.