ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS

Environmental Illness

Environmental illness refers to a wide range of symptoms caused or worsened by exposure to toxins in your surroundings. These toxins can be natural (like mold) or synthetic (like pesticides, heavy metals, or fragrances). Some people react to very low levels of exposure—especially when their detoxification systems are overwhelmed or genetically less efficient.

It’s not just about the toxins themselves—it’s about the body’s capacity to handle them.

Common Environmental Triggers:

  • Mold and mycotoxins (from water-damaged buildings)

  • Heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic)

  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds from paint, furniture, cleaners)

  • Pesticides and herbicides

  • Synthetic fragrances and air fresheners

  • Plastics, phthalates, and BPA

  • EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) in sensitive individuals

Symptoms of Environmental Illness May Include:

  • Fatigue or unrefreshing sleep

  • Brain fog, poor memory, or difficulty concentrating

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Shortness of breath or sinus congestion

  • Digestive issues (bloating, nausea, food sensitivity)

  • Skin rashes, itching, or hives

  • Mood changes, anxiety, or depression

  • Hormonal imbalances or menstrual irregularities

  • Heightened chemical sensitivity

Symptoms often flare up in specific environments—after cleaning, during travel, after rain, or in certain buildings.

Why Functional Medicine Looks Deeper

In functional medicine, we ask: Why is this person reacting in this way? We explore the terrain of the body—how it’s detoxifying, responding to inflammation, and metabolizing nutrients. Environmental illness isn’t “all in your head”—it’s often rooted in:

  • Impaired detoxification capacity

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction

  • Leaky gut and immune dysregulation

  • Chronic infections or mold exposure

  • Nutrient depletion (especially B vitamins, glutathione, and minerals)

How Personalized Medicine Helps

Dr. Ara’s approach is personalized, multi-layered, and evidence-informed. We work in phases, helping you gently reduce toxic burden while building resilience.

  • Dr. Ara listens closely to your story, noting symptom patterns, environmental changes, and exposures. This can include workspaces, water damage, diet, travel, or household product use.

  • To find out if something in the environment is affecting you, we may run the following tests:

    • Mold and mycotoxin urine panels

    • Environmental toxin panels (glyphosate, phthalates, VOCs)

    • Heavy metal testing (blood, hair, or provoked urine)

    • Nutrient status (zinc, magnesium, glutathione)

    • GI and liver function markers

    • Genetic insights (MTHFR, GST, COMT) when relevant

  • We’ll support your body’s natural detox systems by focusing on:

    • Liver phase I & II detox pathways

    • Bile flow and elimination

    • Mitochondrial and antioxidant support (glutathione, NAC, CoQ10)

    • Gentle binders (activated charcoal, clay, chlorella, modified citrus pectin)

    • Proper hydration and mineral replenishment

    • Clean, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet

    • Reduce or eliminate toxic exposures (fragrances, plastics, moldy environments)

    • Nervous system regulation (vagus nerve work, breathwork, gentle movement)

    • Sleep, light exposure, and grounding practices to support circadian rhythm

  • Mold and mycotoxin illness are complex but addressable. If mold is part of the picture, we explore remediation strategies, nasal detox protocols, antifungal support, and immune regulation—all based on labs and tolerance.

Your symptoms are signals. They are not signs of weakness, but indications that your system needs support. Environmental illness doesn’t mean you’re fragile; it means your body is responding to something real. Functional medicine helps identify the underlying triggers, reduce toxic burden, and restore your body’s ability to regulate and heal. If you’re feeling reactive to your surroundings or struggling with unexplained symptoms, this may be a key piece of the puzzle.