Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Leesburg, VA

Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.

If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in Leesburg, VA for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.

Service Areas

Understanding

CIRS and Mold Toxicity

CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.

When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.

CIRS Treatment Leesburg, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis

CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:

  • Lupus
  • Chronic Pain Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • More

Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in Leesburg, VA.

Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.

 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment Leesburg, VA
 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment Leesburg, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms

If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.

Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased Word Finding
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Tingling
  • Night Sweats
  • Frequent Urination
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings

Proactive Wellness Centers'

Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS

Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.

 Mold Toxicity Symptoms Leesburg, VA

Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Leesburg, VA

Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.

To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.

The steps we follow to reach that goal include:

In order to initiate the recovery process, it is important to address and resolve any affected areas, or, alternatively, relocate the patient from that environment if necessary. Prolonged exposure to mold can hinder the success of the treatment plan and impede the healing process.

Two commonly used binding agents in the process of treating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome are Welchol and Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine is particularly effective in binding biotoxins that are processed in the liver's bile ducts and helps to eliminate them from the body. It has been scientifically proven, through placebo-controlled studies, to reverse multiple aspects of the inflammatory process associated with CIRS.

Many individuals experiencing mold sickness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses may have a staph infection called MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) residing deep in their nasal cavities. This infection is resistant to antibiotics and needs to be eliminated for the patient to fully recover.

Each patient requires a customized plan based on the affected areas and CIRS severity. Retesting is necessary after each step to confirm balance restoration. Testing may include some or all of the following:
  • VIP
  • TGF Beta 1
  • MMP9
  • ADH
  • Antigliadin
  • Androgen Imbalance
  • C4a
  • More

In order to halt the growth of mold fungi, patients need to avoid foods that can cause mycotoxins. Some examples of these foods include:
  • Barley
  • Cottonseed
  • Peanuts
  • Corn
  • Black Pepper
  • Figs
  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Beans
  • More
Proactive Wellness has a proven track record of treating patients who have experienced severe health issues without any clear explanation. Unlike other "syndromes," our diagnosis process involves specific tests to confirm a diagnosis rather than simply ruling out other diseases.
 Mold Poisoning Symtoms Leesburg, VA

Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.

The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in Leesburg, VA tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.

Be Wary of These

5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.

Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms

Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
  • Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
  • Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Leesburg, VA

After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in Leesburg, VA.

Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Leesburg, VA

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.

CIRS Treatment Leesburg, VA

Breathing Problems

Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.

 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment Leesburg, VA

Sadness and Depression

Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.

Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.

 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment Leesburg, VA

Feeling "Pins and Needles"

Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.

 Mold Toxicity Symptoms Leesburg, VA

Digestion Problems and Disorders

When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.

Top Tips for

Controlling Mold in Your Environment

It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:

  • Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
  • Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
  • Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
  • Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
  • Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
  • Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Leesburg, VA
 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Leesburg, VA

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:

  • Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
  • Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
  • If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:

  • Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
  • Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
  • Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.

Your Top Choice for

Mold Toxicity Treatment in Leesburg, VA

Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!

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Latest News in Leesburg, VA

Sunday Snowfall Estimate For NoVA: Latest Forecast

Forecasters have released new details on timing and expected snowfall for Sunday's winter storm in Virginia. See the latest.Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff|Updated Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 2:16 pm ETUpdated at 2 p.m. SundayVIRGINIA — New details on timing and expected snowfall totals have been released as a winter storm moves over Northern Virginia on Sunday.The National Weather Service iss...

Forecasters have released new details on timing and expected snowfall for Sunday's winter storm in Virginia. See the latest.

Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff

|Updated Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 2:16 pm ET

Updated at 2 p.m. Sunday

VIRGINIA — New details on timing and expected snowfall totals have been released as a winter storm moves over Northern Virginia on Sunday.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for several counties in the Washington, D.C. region, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, and Prince William counties in Virginia, along with Manassas and Manassas Park. The warning is in effect Sunday until 7 p.m."Snow will overspread the area Sunday morning and continue through the afternoon before tapering off during the evening," the National Weather Service said. "Snowfall rates could approach 1 inch an hour at times."

As much as 4 inches of snow is expected to fall in Loudoun County, while the D.C. metro will likely see 2-3 inches. Farther south, less than an inch of snow is predicted in Fredericksburg.

Travel conditions are expected to quickly deteriorate on Sunday. Gusty winds could also bring down tree branches, forecasters said.

Find out what's happening in Leesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Persons should delay all travel if possible," the National Weather Service said. "If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility."

Once snow moves out of the region, a polar vortex — a stormy ring that typically keeps the coldest air locked up near the North Pole — will settle over Northern Virginia and bring bitter and dangerously cold temperatures to the Baltimore region.

Temperatures on Sunday will reach the 30s before falling into the mid-20s on Monday. Lows will plunge into the single digits before warming just slightly on Tuesday. According to the NWS, Tuesday will see a high of 25 degrees and a low of 9.

Here's a look at the detailed D.C.-area National Weather Service forecast through Tuesday:

Sunday: Rain and snow likely before 2pm, then snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 39. North wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 9pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 20. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 25. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 10. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of snow before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 17.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.

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Northern Virginia family says they are grateful for community help after fire

A family of seven lost their Leesburg home in a house fire Sunday, but they continue to give back to the DMV community as community members work to help them rebuildMore VideosLEESBURG, Va. — A family in Leesburg, Virginia who does so much for the community lost everything in a fire Sunday. Now their loved ones are asking the community to give back to them.Janae Wheeler runs the company VVS Events with her husband, Sir. Despite losing their ...

A family of seven lost their Leesburg home in a house fire Sunday, but they continue to give back to the DMV community as community members work to help them rebuild

More Videos

LEESBURG, Va. — A family in Leesburg, Virginia who does so much for the community lost everything in a fire Sunday. Now their loved ones are asking the community to give back to them.

Janae Wheeler runs the company VVS Events with her husband, Sir. Despite losing their home, they are continuing to show up for the DMV, making sure the holiday events they are a part of go on.

“The show must go on," said Janae. "There are people who are in need and we can’t stop what we’re doing to continue to service people’s needs for joy and kindness at this time just because we’re having a setback.”

A “setback” is a humble way of describing what the Wheeler family went through on Sunday.

Janae said she was enjoying a cup of coffee with her husband after returning from the Brambleton Town Center Winter Wonderland Event they just helped out at, when she and her husband smelled something coming from their basement.

“My husband went to investigate it and he opened the basement door and black smoke came up into the hallway," said Janae.

They immediately got their four kids, their grandmother, and their dog out of their home on Leeland Orchard Road. She said one simple thing is what helped her family get to safety, and now she wants to share it with others.

“Close your doors. Sleep with your doors closed. Doors being closed will allow you additional time and it’s the biggest way to reduce fire spread."

Loudon County Emergency Communications Center said multiple fire and rescue crews from the surrounding area arrived at the scene to put out the fire, which Janae said engulfed their home within seconds after they got out. Loudoun County ECC said the cause of the fire was a combustible placed too close to a heat source. Damage estimates are nearly $700,000.

“It’s not until you encounter fire and see how fast it spreads that you really have to take action to protect yourself," said Janae.

Now loved ones of the Wheeler family are asking for the community’s help to give to a family who has a track record of giving to others. Janae and Sir have been running their business VVS events together for 12 years. Helping to support non-profits and bringing communities together with fun events. A friend of theirs started a GoFundMe to help the Wheelers get back on their feet. And Janae said she is so grateful for the help they’ve already received like coats and meals.

“In a record amount of time, the kids have what they need to get back to school and the love of our friends has just been a surplus of comfort to help us see the light."

She said continuing with their events has also helped.

“It’s really has been a grounding source for us right now to focus on the positive and keep moving forward," said Janae.

You can show further support by attending one of their upcoming events:

Columbia, Md. – Merriweather District Holiday Market Dec. 6 - 8 p.m.

Alexandria Commons, Alexandria, Va. – Selfies with Santa - Fri., Dec. 6 – 5 - 7 p.m.

Hilltop Plaza, Bowie, MD – Soulful Santa – Friday, December 6 – 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Skyland Town Center, DC – Soulful Santa – Saturday, December 7 – 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Festival at Riva, Annapolis, MD – Winter Wonderland – Saturday, December 7 – 11:00am- 2:00 p.m.

Festival at Bel Air, Bel Air, MD – Winter Wonderland – Saturday, December 7 – 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Towers Shopping Center, Roanoke, VA – Photos with Santa – Sunday, December 8 – 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Vienna Shopping Center, Vienna, VA – Winter Wonderland – Friday, December 13 – 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Tysons West, Tysons, VA – Selfies with Santa – Friday, December 13 – 5:00-7:00 p.m.

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