Dr. Sam Madeira, NMDWhat environmental medicine is
Environmental medicine looks at how the places we live and work, and the things we’re exposed to, affect our health. When symptoms persist despite “normal” labs and repeated appointments, an unrecognized exposure is one of the possibilities worth investigating.
Toxic burden rarely shows up on routine testing, and its effects can look like many other conditions: fatigue, brain fog, pain, sleep problems, digestive issues, mood changes, hormone disruption and sensitivity to foods, smells or chemicals.
Mold and mycotoxins
Water-damaged buildings can harbor mold and other microbes that release mycotoxins and inflammatory compounds into indoor air and dust. Leaks, flooding, condensation, crawl spaces and HVAC systems are common sources, and growth is often hidden inside walls, under floors or in ductwork.
Recovery from mold illness typically starts with the environment itself: identifying and addressing the source of exposure, often with the help of a qualified indoor environmental professional, before or alongside treatment.
More about mold illness and mycotoxins →
Heavy metals
Metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can accumulate from sources including older homes and pipes, certain foods and water supplies, occupational exposures and some consumer products. Assessment considers your exposure history together with appropriate testing, interpreted in context.
More about heavy metal toxicity →
Sewer gas and other environmental toxins
Dry drain traps, cracked plumbing vents and failing seals can let sewer gas into a home, an exposure that’s easy to miss. Other environmental chemicals, from solvents to combustion byproducts, can also add to the body’s overall burden.
More about sewer gas exposure →
CIRS and MCAS
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) describes a multi-system, chronic inflammatory illness reported in some people after exposure to biotoxins, most often from water-damaged buildings.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) involves mast cells releasing chemical mediators too readily, which can cause symptoms across many systems, such as flushing, hives, digestive upset, rapid heartbeat and reactions to foods, scents or chemicals.
The two can overlap, and both call for a careful, patient approach rather than a quick fix.
More about CIRS → · More about MCAS →
How Dr. Madeira helps
With 14 years of clinical experience, Dr. Madeira follows the naturopathic therapeutic order: start by identifying and removing obstacles to health, then support the body’s natural ability to heal.
- A detailed health and exposure history, including your home and work environments
- Review of your previous records and labs
- Targeted testing where it adds useful information
- Guidance on reducing ongoing exposure
- Botanical medicine, personalized nutritional medicine, detoxification therapies and mindfulness practices, with other therapies added only as needed
- Coordination with other professionals when your situation calls for it
This page is general education, not medical advice. Whether an environmental exposure is contributing to your symptoms can only be assessed individually.