Brain Spect Imaging Helps Treat Brain Toxicity Caused By Black Mold
Kimberlyn had booked a Full Evaluation, which took two days to complete. She filled out multiple questionnaires and history forms, talked to specialized counselors, and finally had a set of SPECT images taken of her brain. Just to really see exactly what was happening to my brain in the SPECT scans and that I do have a toxic injury due to mold was amazing, said Kimberlyn. They did such a good job with all of the evaluations, and they were so thorough. By the end of the second day, Dr. Arsalan Darmal had a whole binder of material that discussed the results of the testing I had done while I was there.
Dr. Darmal and the staff at Amen Clinics Orange County, CA discovered that Kimberlyn also had ADHD and a previous traumatic brain injury that was increasing the effects of the mold injury. When my brain swelled from the mold exposure, I was getting almost no blood flow to my prefrontal cortex, explained Kimberlyn.
Co-occurring conditions that can increase the effects of an injury or illness on the brain are common, yet can be easily overlooked. Kimberlyn was shocked to hear that the brain injury she had suffered in high school was impacting her life today and even more surprised that she had ADHD. The medication for ADHD has made a huge difference in my productivity and ability to focus. That was like the bonus prize that I wasnt even expecting, said Kimberlyn.
What Causes Mold In The Attic
Mold grows in a warm, damp environment. Attics are especially good at fostering mold growth because condensation accumulates there. When an attic is warmer it makes the perfect environment for mold to start growing.
As many of us already know attics can definitely be bad about retaining heat as well as moisture, too.
- If you see water damage you should check for mold. Fixing any source of water damage is a good step in preventing mold in the future. A home inspection can tell you where any other issues are or if theres more mold you arent aware of.
- Ventilation is one of the best things you can do for preventing the accumulation of moisture which encourages mold and mildew to grow.
- Check for roof leaks and patch them correctly roof leaks are another source of water and moisture. Leaks can come from a range of places including holes in the roof, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, or gaps around attic access doors or windows.
- Check for and deal with condensation. A primary cause of attic moisture, it happens when warm air from your living space rises and meets the cold surface of your attics for example, the underside of the roof deck or the top of an uninsulated attic floor. This temperature difference causes water vapor to condense on a surface.
In some cases, attic moisture can be controlled by installing a vapor barrier on the warm side of attic insulation. A barrier helps prevent warm air from rising into the attic and condensation forming on cold surfaces.
Clean Out Your Dirty Mouth
Your toothbrush holder is actually the filthiest thing in your bathroom . According to the NSF, 64% of all toothbrush holders tested positive for molds. Because, think about itwhenâs the last time you actually cleaned your toothbrush holder? And since your toothbrush sits inside it, youâre putting that mold straight into your mouth.
The Rx: Wash your toothbrush holder in sudsy water once a week.
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How To Test For Mold
The workup for CIRS includes tests that are widely available via LabCorp and Quest, although they are somewhat esoteric tests, including MMP9, TGF beta 1, MSH, VEGF, and others. Urine testing for actual mold toxins circulating in the body can also be utilized, however, these results are questioned by some in the field of CIRS treatment.
Brain toxicity due to mold or other toxins and the psychiatric and cognitive health issues associated with it cant wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to normal is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.
At Amen Clinics, were here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here.
Is There A Treatment For Mold Exposure
If you know youve been exposed to mold, I recommend the following steps:
- Remove yourself from the environment where there is contamination.
- Avoid being near porous items from the exposed area.
- Clothes, paper, wood, etc.
- Add MicroBalance Laundry each time you wash your clothes or any cloth materials.
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What Causes Mould To Grow Indoors
Mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture on a surface or humidity in the air. Common causes include:
- leaky roofs and walls including and blocked gutters and downpipes
- condensation from cooking, showering, clothes drying and from breathing in areas with poor air circulation eg cupboards and corners and furniture against uninsulated outside walls. Avoid conditions encouraging mould growth, by using heat, insulation and ventilation. The cheapest and easiest way of reducing moisture and humidity levels is by ventilating a room by opening a door or window. Use exhaust fans where available.
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Can Mold in Your Home Make You Sick?
Mold is one of the more invasive and hidden things in your home. Mold tends to grow and proliferate in dark damp spaces, exactly where you dont want it to be. So, if its so far away in those deep dark places in your home, what harm could it do, right? Can it really make you sick?
Absolutely. In fact, some types of mold can make you extremely ill without you even knowing it. Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, is a family of black molds that can make you incredibly sick if the spores are exposed to the open air and circulated around your home.
But mold in your home is in more places than just those dark, damp corners.
Not just in the walls
The mold we often think of in our homes is often in the walls or corners where water tends to collect. However, there are many types of molds that can make you ill that are all over your home, not just in the walls.
One of the most common places that mold can proliferate is in your food. Peanut butter, cheese, or bread are great mediums for all kinds of mold. In some places, you may not even notice that mold is present. Ingesting the moldy food can cause nausea, vomiting, and upper GI issues.
Coffeemakers, humidifiers or other appliances that use water to work are particularly bad for mold as well. The water reservoirs or areas where water is held either before or after use can be the perfect place for molds to grow.
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Different Types Of Mold
Allergenic Molds. Allergenic molds are on the low end of the danger scale. They only cause problems for those with asthma and a predisposed allergy to the specific mold. Children are more likely to have mold allergies than adults.
Pathogenic Molds. Pathogenic molds will cause some infection. This is a big problem for those with a suppressed immune system. An acute response resembling bacterial pneumonia is commonly found with those exposed to these types of mold.
Toxigenic Molds. As the name implies, these molds produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health effects. They have been tied to immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals found in these types of molds can be absorbed into the body when one inhales them, eats them, or even touches them.
How Long After Eating Mold Will I Get Sick
You can get sick from eating bad bread within a few hours. It is possible to cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps by eating moldy bread. It depends on the type of bread you eat.
If its bread thats been sitting out in the sun for a long time, like stale bread from the grocery store, then it may take up to a day or two for mold to grow on it. However, if the bread has been stored in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry, refrigerator, or cupboard, the mold may not be able to survive for very long.
In this case, you may need to throw it out and buy a new one.
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Who Is At Risk For Mold Toxicity
While anyone can become ill from exposure to mold and its mycotoxins, some are more susceptible than others.
People who already have allergies or asthma can be more severely affected by mold toxicity than those who do not have allergies.
Also, people who are already ill, have immune suppression, or have respiratory illnesses are more likely to have noticeable and intense symptoms resulting from mold exposure.
Symptoms of mold toxicity are relatively persistent and should not be ignored. If you are concerned about symptoms of toxic black mold in infants or children, make sure to check out these other posts on how to identify black mold in your loved ones.
How Does Mold Grow
Mold spores, which tend to be harmless on their own, float in the air and occur naturally both indoors and outdoors. We are always breathing them in!
The mold spores we encounter each day outside can attach themselves to people by landing on our clothes, bags, and shoes. Theyll even hitch a ride on our pets! This gives the mold spores convenient access to our homes and workspaces when we go inside.
For these spores to grow into the mold we see in our homes, they need to land on moisture. A few examples of where mold may be encouraged to grow are:7
- Wet cellulose products
The most common types of mold found indoors are Penicillin, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys chartarum .8
Toxic black mold is dangerous and should be treated for removal immediately. It has a greenish-black color and appears wet or slimy, unless its water source has run out, then it may be dry and powdery. Black mold symptoms can include:
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Summary Of Health Problems
Many types of indoor mold, not just black mold, may cause health problems in some individuals.
Long-term exposure to high levels of mold in the home, however,
People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:
- infants and children
- people with allergies or asthma
- people with weakened immune systems
The main health risks related to mold exposure are allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms.
People with weakened immune systems may also have a risk of fungal infection.
Types Of Mold Sickness And Symptoms
Mold can be found almost everywhere, though it thrives in warm, humid environments. It spreads by releasing tiny spores that float through the air. Some types of mold also produce mycotoxins, microscopic organic compounds that can attach to mold spores and cause additional health effects when inhaled.
Mold exposure does not always cause adverse reactions, and different types of mold can cause a person to react in distinctly different ways. However, those who are sensitive to mold or have mold allergies may experience the following symptoms after exposure, according to the CDC:
- Nasal stuffiness
Reactions may be more severe in those with:
- Weakened immune systems
- Chronic lung illnesses
If you are in one of the above groups, the CDC recommends staying away from likely sources of mold, such as wooded areas, compost piles and freshly-cut grass.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Mold allergies are progressive. The more contact you have, the more likely you are to experience severe symptoms.
In some instances, no symptoms or only vague symptoms of mold exposure may occur. These can go unnoticed, especially in babies.
Even without immediate, noticeable symptoms, long-term health effects, such as asthma, have been associated with mold. Its not currently known whether this is a direct cause of mold or merely an association.
Mold may cause:
- skin irritation
- sporotrichosis, a skin infection that starts out as a small pink, red, or purple bump on the skin
- itchy, red eyes
Prevent Mold Growth With Routine Maintenance
To prevent mold growth, we suggest using a dehumidifier during the warm months and providing your home or business with the proper ventilation. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Clean surfaces with mold-killing products.
Keep your humidity levels below 50 percent. Humidity levels shift throughout the day. Inspecting your structure for mold growth is an important part of routine building maintenance.
Seek treatment from a doctor soon as you notice any eye irritation, skin irritation or other common symptoms after exposure to mold, especially when symptoms persist. Its better to be safe than sorry. ECOS Environmental is happy to step in and test your home or business for mold and assist with the cleanup and renovation.
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Why Are Mold Issues Difficult To Diagnose
Conventional medicine recognizes that mold can cause allergies but does not recognize that mycotoxins emitted by some species of indoor mold can cause a problem, says McElroy. This means that doctors unfamiliar with mold and mold treatment may miss one of the main types of mold reactionsthe chemical and inflammatory reaction. This is for a few reasons:
- There is no gold standard in testing for mold
- There is no standardized treatment protocol or drug for mold toxicity
- There are very limited human-based studies looking at the connection between mycotoxins and human health
- The presentation of mold issues is very different among patients
- Not everyone exposed to mold mycotoxins will have a reaction to them
Its no wonder mold illness can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, holistic medicine providers consider environmental factors that affect health when evaluating patients and may have additional advanced training in treating mold toxicity.
According to McElroy, one of the biggest challenges with mold is that mycotoxins can cause only some people to launch an inflammatory response. This unpredictable response can go on for years after a long-term exposure in a susceptible individual, she explains.
How Does Mould Affect Health
Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions.
People who are more susceptible to these symptoms and other serious health effects include those with:
- weakened immune systems
- chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung diseases.
You should seek medical advice if you are concerned about the effects of mould.
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Mold Symptoms: Is Mold Making Me Sick
No one wants to think about mold growing in their home, but since the side effects of mold exposure can be serious, its something you cant ignore. Symptoms are wide ranging, and since mold often grows out of sight, it can be difficult to pinpoint mold as the cause. Check out this symptoms checklist to see if you might have mold growing in your home.
Disclosure: The symptoms listed here are for general informative purposes only. Speak with your doctor for specific medical advice relating to any unexplained symptoms you have.
How Should You Clean Mold
Sometimes cleaning mold yourself makes sense, and sometimes its highly discouraged.
First, lets look at some cases when cleaning mold yourself would be appropriate:10
- Only a small area is affected.
- The mold is growing on areas that are easy to clean like glass or tile.
- There is growth on hard to clean areas, like carpet, that can be removed and replaced.
- You dont have any current health issues that will be made worse with increased exposure to mold growth.
- An area 3 feet by 3 feet or larger is affected.
- A flood occurred that may have been contaminated with sewage.
- There is mold in your HVAC system.
- The mold has grown on wood that cannot be removed.
- You are already experiencing symptoms of mold exposure.
- You have a medical condition, such as asthma, that will be worsened around the mold.
- There is a smell of mold but you cannot find it.
- You arent in possession of the correct tools.
- You have any concerns or doubts on how to remove the mold correctly.
If you believe that your mold growth is suitable to be removed by yourself, here are a few household products you can use:11
- Undiluted white vinegar.
- Create a 50/50 mixture of water and ammonia. Spray and then rinse after three hours. Be sure to take proper safety precautions and wear a mask, gloves, and goggles.
- Using EC3 Laundry Additive rinses away bacteria and mold spores that get trapped in your clothing and other fabrics that regular washing alone cant eliminate.
- Try BioBalance for Natural, Citrus-Based Mold Remedies
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