Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) & Mold Illness Treatment in Oregon

Comprehensive Care for CIRS, Mold Toxicity & Biotoxin Illness

At Willow Natural Health, Dr. Cori Burke provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), mold-related illness, and complex chronic inflammatory conditions for patients throughout Portland, Milwaukie, and across Oregon via both in-person and telehealth visits.

Many patients struggling with mold toxicity and environmental illness experience years of unexplained symptoms before discovering that exposure to water-damaged buildings or biotoxins may be contributing to their health concerns. Dr. Burke specializes in helping patients uncover underlying drivers of chronic illness and develop individualized treatment plans that support long-term healing and recovery.

What Is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)?

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex, multi-system illness associated with persistent immune system activation following exposure to biotoxins. Common triggers may include water-damaged buildings, mold exposure, Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, certain bacteria, and additional environmental toxins.

CIRS is believed to occur when the body has difficulty adequately clearing biotoxins after exposure. Instead of the inflammatory response resolving once the threat has passed, the immune system remains activated, creating ongoing inflammation that can affect multiple body systems simultaneously.

Over time, this chronic inflammatory state may contribute to worsening symptoms, increased sensitivities, and declining resilience.

Not everyone exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings develops CIRS. Factors such as genetic susceptibility, cumulative stressors, immune dysregulation, chronic infections, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and environmental exposures may influence who becomes chronically ill.

Common Symptoms of Mold Illness and CIRS

Because CIRS affects multiple body systems, symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Common concerns may include:

Because these symptoms overlap with many other chronic health conditions, patients often spend years searching for answers before environmental illness is recognized as a potential contributing factor.

Water-Damaged Buildings, Mold Exposure, and Environmental Illness

Patients with CIRS frequently report symptom flares in certain homes, schools, workplaces, or buildings with a history of leaks, flooding, plumbing issues, roof damage, condensation problems, or visible mold growth.

Importantly, mold illness is not always caused by visible mold alone. Water-damaged buildings may contain a complex mixture of inflammatory substances, including:

• Mold spores and mold fragments
• Mycotoxins
• Bacterial endotoxins
• Actinomycetes and other microbial byproducts
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Dust and particulate matter

For susceptible individuals, repeated exposure to these environmental triggers may contribute to ongoing inflammation and worsening symptoms over time.

Comprehensive Mold Illness Evaluation in Oregon

Evaluating mold-related illness requires looking beyond a single laboratory test. Dr. Burke takes a thorough, individualized approach that considers the full clinical picture.

Evaluation may include:

• Detailed environmental exposure history
• Review of symptom patterns and timeline
• Assessment for water-damaged building exposure
• Comprehensive medical history
• Screening for overlapping conditions such as MCAS, POTS, dysautonomia, hypermobility syndromes, Lyme disease, Long COVID, and ME/CFS
• Functional and specialty laboratory testing when appropriate
• Review of prior testing and treatment responses

Because mold illness often overlaps with other chronic conditions, identifying contributing factors and addressing the whole person is a critical part of the evaluation process.

Mold Illness Treatment for Children, Teens, and Adults

Dr. Burke works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mold-related illness, CIRS, and complex chronic inflammatory conditions. She has extensive experience supporting entire families affected by environmental illness and currently sees patients ages 2 years and older.

Many families seek care after noticing multiple household members developing symptoms following exposure to a water-damaged home, school, or workplace. Dr. Burke provides thoughtful guidance to help patients navigate both environmental remediation concerns and medical treatment.

Individualized Mold Illness Treatment in Oregon

There is no single treatment approach that works for every patient with mold illness. Effective care requires understanding each person’s symptom patterns, exposure history, sensitivities, and overall health status.

Dr. Burke’s approach incorporates elements of the Shoemaker Protocol, the work of Dr. Jill Crista, and other evidence-informed strategies while recognizing that healing is rarely linear.

Treatment plans may focus on:

• Reducing ongoing environmental exposures
• Supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways
• Addressing inflammation and immune dysregulation
• Improving nervous system regulation and resilience
• Supporting mast cell stabilization when appropriate
• Optimizing sleep, nutrition, and recovery
• Identifying and treating overlapping conditions
• Gradually rebuilding tolerance and function

Rather than relying on rigid protocols, treatment is tailored to the individual and paced according to each patient’s capacity. This personalized approach helps reduce treatment-related symptom flares while supporting sustainable progress over time.

Expert CIRS and Mold Illness Care in Portland, Milwaukie, and Throughout Oregon

If you suspect mold exposure, environmental illness, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome may be contributing to your symptoms, you do not have to navigate the process alone.

Dr. Cori Burke provides compassionate, evidence-informed naturopathic care for patients throughout Portland, Milwaukie, and across Oregon. Her practice specializes in complex chronic illness, including CIRS, mold toxicity, MCAS, POTS, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), Long COVID, ME/CFS, Lyme disease, and related conditions.

Whether you are just beginning to explore the possibility of mold illness or have already received a CIRS diagnosis, Dr. Burke can help you develop a thoughtful, individualized plan to support healing and recovery.the individual and paced according to the patient’s needs. This individualized approach helps to reduce symptoms flares during detox protocols and supports your overall resilience.