Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA.

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 Pittsburgh, PA
 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA.

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA
 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

Coldest morning of this arctic outbreak Wednesday morning

PITTSBURGH —The coldest air of the season and in years has arrived in Western Pennsylvania.The leading weather headline early this week is the extreme cold. Frigid temperatures that we haven't felt in a couple years will combine with 7-10 mph winds, leading to sub-zero wind chills. The harshest wind chill temperatures will be late tonight and Wednesday morning, which is another Severe Weather Alert Day.Hearst OwnedWednesday morning forecast wind chills.School closures and ...

PITTSBURGH —

The coldest air of the season and in years has arrived in Western Pennsylvania.

The leading weather headline early this week is the extreme cold. Frigid temperatures that we haven't felt in a couple years will combine with 7-10 mph winds, leading to sub-zero wind chills. The harshest wind chill temperatures will be late tonight and Wednesday morning, which is another Severe Weather Alert Day.

Hearst Owned

Wednesday morning forecast wind chills.

School closures and delays for Wednesday: See the full list

An extreme cold warning is in effect for the ridges of the Laurel Highlands, where the coldest wind chills are expected: As low as -30° degrees through early Wednesday.

The rest of the area is under a cold weather advisory for feels like temperatures as low as -20° degrees Wednesday morning.

With wind chill values this cold, frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin. Make sure to wear multiple layers and cover as much skin as possible if you must go outside. Also, be sure to protect pets as their paws can be damaged by the cold ground and snow.

A much-needed thaw arrives later this week, starting Thursday with high temperatures rising into the upper 20s and reaching the 30s by the weekend.

Hearst Owned

The arctic blast is almost over.

WEDNESDAY - Severe Weather Alert Day: Morning wind chills near -20°, Sun & Clouds High 15°.

THURSDAY - Partly Sunny, High 28°. Low 9°. Morning wind chills between 0° and -10°.

Stay with Pittsburgh's Action Weather for updates to the forecast.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with severe weather alerts and breaking news.Already have the WTAE app? Click here to learn how to get automatic storm and severe weather alerts for where you are.

Andrew Holman: Pennsylvania's running out of money

Stacy Garrity recently issued an urgent warning: This year’s budget will determine the commonwealth’s economic future — so lawmakers must plan wisely. Garrity, reelected in November to her second term as Pennsylvania state treasurer, cautioned that, if elected leaders don’t act swiftly, the commonwealth’s pending budget deficit will likely, in Garrity’s words, “squander” the Rainy Day Fund.Expenditures up, revenues downYears of uncontrolled government spending have caught up to ...

Stacy Garrity recently issued an urgent warning: This year’s budget will determine the commonwealth’s economic future — so lawmakers must plan wisely. Garrity, reelected in November to her second term as Pennsylvania state treasurer, cautioned that, if elected leaders don’t act swiftly, the commonwealth’s pending budget deficit will likely, in Garrity’s words, “squander” the Rainy Day Fund.

Expenditures up, revenues down

Years of uncontrolled government spending have caught up to Pennsylvania. Over the past five years, General Fund expenditures have increased by $12.55 billion while revenues only increased by $9.47 billion. Now, Pennsylvania faces a $3.6 billion structural deficit.

Worse yet, the deficit is expanding. A recent report from Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) forecasts the deficit will reach $4.6 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2025–26. The IFO sees disparate growth for the rest of the decade, with expenditures up 18% and revenues 11%. According to the IFO’s projections, this culminates in a $6.8 billion budget deficit in FY 2029–30.

Though fiscal irresponsibility created the deficit, demographic changes drive the disparity. The IFO projects the number of Pennsylvanians over 65 to grow to 2.95 million by 2030, an increase of more than 750,000 since 2015. As such, costs for programs primarily serving older residents will explode over the next five years. Long-term living and medical assistance, two such programs, are expected to grow by 22.8 and 37.2%, respectively, by FY 2029–30.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s working-age population, the source of the taxes that pay for these programs, continues to shrink. The IFO projects this cohort (between the ages of 20 and 64) to drop to 7.1 million by 2030, a decline of 500,000 people from 2015.

Domestic outmigration continues to plague Pennsylvania. Census data shows the state lost 11,500 residents to out-of-state migration in 2024. It marks the 14th time in the past 15 years that Pennsylvania lost population to other states. Since 2015, Pennsylvania has seen a net 176,439 residents leave. This year, U-Haul put Pennsylvania in the bottom five (i.e., 46th) of its annual “Growth States” index, alongside states like California, New York, and New Jersey. Pennsylvania’s ranking has steadily dropped each year, 38th in 2023 and 24th in 2022.

State-to-state migration data reveals Pennsylvanians are moving to Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Moving for money

This pattern follows a national trend, with Americans consistently moving from high-tax states to economically prosperous, low-tax states. Migration data and polling suggest that increased taxes will only exacerbate this issue, so lawmakers must address the budget deficit without raising taxes.

They must also avoid doling out corporate welfare. Lawmakers traditionally attempt to incentivize development and investment by offering tax credits and subsidies to businesses. However, corporate welfare has a history of failure.

In recent years, Pennsylvania missed out on a $3 billion steel mill and the northeast’s largest milk-processing plant despite offering lucrative economic development packages. Nearly $2.6 billion in state tax credits remain unused.

Even when companies accept these packages, their success is no guarantee. Last year, a Pennsylvania company’s lunar lander came to a literal fiery end after receiving $4 million in taxpayer funds.

Ultimately, these economic development packages don’t improve economic competitiveness. Research from the IFO shows that most tax credits have a net return on investment of less than 25 cents per dollar spent.

In FY 2024–25, Pennsylvania spent nearly $1.5 billion on corporate welfare programs and tax credits. Instead, lawmakers should cut all corporate welfare spending. Lawmakers could use the $1.5 billion in savings to reduce taxes without worsening the deficit. A broad-based tax reduction that benefits all businesses will be far more effective at attracting new jobs and businesses. Continuing and accelerating the scheduled reductions to business taxes, including the Corporate Net Income Tax and the start-up tax, will incentivize genuine business development.

Reform and responsibility

As budget negotiations begin, lawmakers cannot hide from Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. Instead, they must rein in spending and prioritize business tax cuts over ineffective corporate welfare programs. Tax reform and fiscal responsibility can make our commonwealth a more attractive place to live and work, encouraging current residents to stay and attracting new ones to call the Keystone State home.

Lawmakers cannot afford to squander this moment.

Andrew Holman is a policy analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation. His previous article was “Union political spending doesn't represent all their members.”

First Published: January 21, 2025, 2:30 a.m.

NFL Players from Westinghouse H.S. (Pittsburgh, PA)

  Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Westinghouse Academy High School in Pittsburgh, PA.The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.See where it ranks among other schools in the state ...

 

Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Westinghouse Academy High School in Pittsburgh, PA.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.

NFL Players from Westinghouse HS
Player Pos Teams From To
Mark Ellison G NYG 1972 1973
Tony Liscio T-G DAL 1963 1971
Jon Henderson WR-DB PIT,WAS 1968 1970
Dave Kalina WR PIT 1970 1970
John Greene E-G-B DET 1944 1950
Tom Casey TB-DB NYY 1948 1948
Art Deremer C BKN 1942 1942
Mose Lantz C PIT 1933 1933

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com

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