Can Mold Grow In Your Stomach

Signs Of Mold Illness

by Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood | Health Tips

Mold is a big problem in most homes, but many people are unaware of the problem. Of course, everyone looks at the shower curtain, under the sink, or in the basement when he or she think about mold issues, but mold can grow just about anywhere.

Mold can be found in drywall, in the roof , and even in ones Christmas tree. One study found that Christmas trees can breed mold, quietly releasing millions of spores into the room causing winter allergies and asthma attacks. Studies have found that indoor air quality dropped six-fold over the 14 days a Christmas tree typically decorates a room.

There are 1,000 types of mold that can be found growing in the modern American home. Scientists classify these molds based on the effect they have on humans and other living things.

How To Clean Pink Mold Off Surfaces

The proper way to clean pink mold off surfaces is to contact a professional at Mold Busters. They will visit your property, create a plan and properly remediate the affected areas so that your mold issues are resolved correctly.

If you have pink mold, any type of mold growth, or other contaminants in your home, contact Mold Busters right away to get an inspection and remediation plan in place to ensure your home is safe and healthy.

How To Prevent Pink Mold In Humidifiers

In order to prevent pink mold from growing in your humidifier, you should make sure you use distilled water or a demineralization cartridge. You should also make sure the unit is covered and filled with the recommended level of water.

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What Is Pink Mold

Pink mold is not actually a mold, but a bacterial growth commonly found in damp areas of the home like the bathroom and kitchen. The two common types are Aureobasidium and Fusarium. These bacterial colonies can grow on many surfaces and locations which we will go into more depth later.

Other types of fungus that appear in pink color:

Just because its not technically a mold, does not mean you can just wipe it away and its gone. It acts very similar to a mold colony and will return if not remediated properly. It also poses many health risks that mimic various types of molds as well. These are just a few reasons why its classified as a mold.

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Diagnosing Digestive Problems From Mold Exposure

If youre having gastrointestinal problems, see your primary care physician. Let your doctor know if youve been exposed to mold or think your symptoms might be caused by mold exposure. Make sure to let your doctor know if youre experiencing any other symptoms of mold exposure, like coughing, sneezing, headaches, sore throats, shortness of breath, rashes or hives.

Because so many things can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including viruses, parasites, food poisoning, ulcers, food allergies and sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, it can take some time for a doctor to figure out whats causing your gastrointestinal problems and whether or not its due to mold exposure. Your doctor may order some tests to help make a diagnosis, such as blood tests, an upper GI x-ray , a CT scan, an abdominal ultrasound, an endoscopy and/or colonoscopy , and laboratory analysis of a stool sample. You may be referred to a gastroenterologist, a doctor specializing in digestive problems, for some of these tests or for treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions.

Q: How To Know If Mold Is Making You Sick

A: Mold is one of the most common concerns of illness in homes, but often isnt the culprit. If you suspect that you or someone else has been exposed to mold, call your doctor immediately. The symptoms of mold exposure can mimic allergic reactions, include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, eye irritation, and nosebleeds.

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Association Of Stachybotrys Species With Sick Buildings

One of the best studies of building-related illness showed minimal relation to Stachybotrys. Miller et al. examined 50 Canadian homes in which the occupants had complaints of respiratory or allergic symptoms for which there was no explanation, although at the time of the study, occupants of only 6 houses had building-related illnesses. Looking at air exchange rate, moisture levels, and analyzing air and dust for fungus and fungal products in 37 of the homes, they found S. chartarum in only one house analysis of the 6 sick houses did not indicate fungus-related disease. During parts of the year when windows are open, indoor fungi are comparable to outdoor species . However, in this study, outdoor air spores were negligible and Penicillium and other soil fungi were most important. Toxigenic fungi included P. viridicatum, Trichoderma viride, P. decumbens, and A. versicolor. House dust usually contained appreciable amounts of filamentous fungi and yeast, and so it was expected that spores could be found in air, depending on the activity in the room.

Avoiding Further Ingestion Of Mold

To avoid further mold health issues, youll need to avoid further ingestion of mold. How do you do that? There are several steps you can take.

• Store food properly to help prevent spoilage and mold growth.
• Discard any food you suspect may not be fresh. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wash your hands before eating and before handling food.
• Take steps to eliminate excess moisture and prevent mold growth in your home. Here are some specific mold prevention tips.
• If there is mold in your home, it will need to be removed. Continued exposure to mold will complicate your treatment and you may not recover even with treatment. Your condition may even get worse.

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How Long After Eating Black Mold Will You Get Sick

The short answer is that it depends. The amount of time that passes between eating black mold and getting sick depends on various factors, including how much of the mold you ate and your health status.

In general, black mold poisoning symptoms usually appear within one to two days of eating the contaminated food. Its also important to note that some people do not get sick after eating black mold or any other type of mold.

Health Risks Of Pink Mold

Can pink mold make you sick? The simple answer is yes.

Although it is not technically a mold, it behaves very similar to mold and can cause a vast array of health issues.

The following are all symptoms that can be traced to pink colored mold exposure.

• Respiratory issues
• Allergic reactions
• Pneumonia and bronchitis
• Poisoning from eating tainted food
• Gastrointestinal issues

The most common symptoms occur in young people, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. However, anyone can develop symptoms.

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Getting To The Root Of Stomach Problems Caused By Mold

As mentioned before, poor quality food can be the main culprit behind stomach pain. This type of mold exposure can come from anywhere. But it is most often found in the home. Other causes of gastrointestinal issues may include food poisoning, food allergies, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. These digestive problems should be ruled out before a conclusion is made about mold being the primary cause, and the diagnosis should be conducted by your doctor.

A doctor will most likely take stool, blood and urine tests, as well as gastrointestinal x-rays, to identify the problem. As an extra precaution, your doctor may order an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopy, or even a colonoscopy. In special cases, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist who specializes in digestive issues. During these visits, its important to provide as much detail as possible to your doctor.

He began to have GI problems. We went to see a specialist. They told him that he might have colon cancer. He had to do a colonoscopy. They had to do all type of different scopes everywhere, but they found nothing.

What Does Penicillium Do To Humans

Penicillium is a genus of fungi that includes several species that are important to humans. Penicillium chrysogenum is used in the production of penicillin, while Penicillium roqueforti is used in the making of blue cheese. Other members of the genus produce toxins that can cause disease in humans. Penicillium can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

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How To Clean A Moldy Fridge And Keep It Safe

Here are some steps you can follow to clean mold out of your refrigerator so its safe to use again:

What To Do When Toxic Mold Causes Chronic Stomach Problems

Toxic mold exposure can take you from enjoying an unrestricted diet of your favorite foods to suffering from severe stomach problems no matter what you eat. I have patients who can only eat one or two things without bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or other digestive issues.

If you have a history of mold exposure, toxic mold may be responsible for your stomach problems. Thats because mycotoxins, the toxic byproduct of some molds, as well as the immune response to mycotoxins can cause damage to your intestinal lining and harm your gut microbiome, leading to leaky gut. Leaky gut opens the door for a whole host of other health conditions including autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and environmental sensitivities.

Thankfully, with diet and lifestyle changes, its possible to get better. In this article, youll learn how mold causes chronic stomach problems and how you can heal your gut while detoxing mycotoxins from your body so you can reverse the root cause of illness and restore your joy in livingand eating.

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Mold Toxicity Symptoms In Humans

Some of the most common symptoms of mold toxicity in humans include headaches, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, skin rashes and irritations, and respiratory problems. Mold toxicity occurs when a person is exposed to mold spores or toxins produced by mold. Mold exposure can happen through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Once the mold spores or toxins enter the body, they can start to cause health problems. Symptoms of mold toxicity depend on the type of mold and the persons individual susceptibility but can range from mild to severe.

How To Prevent Mole Formation

Now that we have gained some insight into what happens if you eat mold, let us see how you can prevent mold from getting formed on food surface.

One of the most basic, but most essential precautions you must take is to cover your food with plastic wraps or with container lids while storing in the refrigerator.

It is advised to cover your food even while serving on the table. Make sure you store your food in a clean refrigerator. For this, ensure that you clean your refrigerator with baking soda on a regular basis.

While it may be practical to make extra food for the coming week or to get groceries for the entire week, it is also important to ensure that you bring and make food in realistic quantities. It is mandatory to check expiration dates when buying groceries.

Consume leftovers within four days it is not a good idea to keep them stored beyond that. To prevent mold from forming on food, do not leave perishable items out of the refrigerator for more than two hours at a time.

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Is Moldy Food Dangerous Not Always

Food spoilage is often caused by mold.

Moldy food has an undesirable taste and texture and may have green or white fuzzy spots.

Just the thought of eating moldy food grosses most people out.

While some types of mold can produce harmful toxins, other types are used to produce certain foods, including some cheeses.

This article takes a close look at mold in food and whether its actually bad for you.

How To Protect Your Health From Dirty Carpets

In order to keep you and your family safe from the health risks associated with dirty carpets, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance and cleaning of your home.

The following practices will protect you from the threats posed by dirty carpets and eventually improve the quality of your indoor air.

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Cutting Mold From Soft Foods

Soft foods are another story. Mold finds it super easy to get below the surface, so the whole product could be tainted. These foods are destined for the trash can if they develop mold:

• Soft fruits and veggies. Buh-bye, moldy strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes.
• Soft cheeses. Bid your moldy cottage cheese and cream cheese adieu.
• Bread. Farewell, moldy bakery products.
• Cooked foods. These are definite no-nos.
• Jelly, Jell-O, and peanut butter. Dont think you can just scoop it out moldy PB& J can be seriously bad for you.
• Deli meats, bacon, and hot dogs. Say adios to these.
• Yogurt and cream.Just no.

No one wants to eat mold. And yes, you can cut it off some foods. But whats the best way to stop it from growing in the first place?

Follow these steps and say sayonara to that effin mold:

Can Mold Cause Diarrhea

Again, the answer to this question is definitely yes. Some symptoms of mold exposure include vomiting, cramping, nausea, intestinal bleeding, and internal bacterial infections. Most of the time, individuals are exposed to mold in their own homes and do not realize it. By the time these symptoms appear, it is often too late.

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Can Mold Grow In Freezer Or Refrigerator

Mold can grow anywhere that there is moisture and a food source. This means that it can grow in your freezer if the conditions are right. In fact, mold can even grow on ice! While you may not think that your freezer has much humidity level, it can still be high enough for mold to grow. If you have ever had a mold problem in your home, you should take precautions to ensure that it doesnt spread to your freezer.

Health Problems Related To Dampness And Mold

Allergies or allergic responses to pollen or animal dander are the most common types of health problems related to mold. Typical symptoms include:

• Nose, mouth, or throat irritation
• Irritation of the nose, mouth, or throat
• Nasal stuffiness and runny nose
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to mold. Molds can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough in people with known allergies. People who do not have allergies can also become irritated. Studies indicate that exposure to molds in the workplace can make pre-existing asthma worse. NIOSH investigates associations between damp buildings and developing new asthma.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a kind of lung inflammation that occurs when people develop immune system sensitization to inhaled organic dust. Immune system sensitization is similar to an allergy. It can seem like pneumonia, but it does not get better with antibiotics for infection. Symptoms of HP can vary. Some persons have:

• Shortness of breath
• Night sweats
• Profound fatigue

These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss.

This lung disease has also occurred in workers who worked in water-damaged buildings with:

• Roof leaks
• Poorly draining condensation pans
• High indoor relative humidity

• Shortness of breath

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Are All Molds Bad For My Health

No, not all molds are considered bad for your health. Some molds are actually beneficial to the environment, such as those used in the production of cheese and other food items. However, there are some types of mold that can cause health problems, particularly for people with allergies or weakened immune systems. If youre concerned about a particular type of mold, its best to consult with a doctor or other medical professional.

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.

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