How Does Mold Affect Your Lungs

Why Mold Causes Problems

Mold Affects the Lungs

Molds alone dont usually cause many health problems. Its when they land on damp surfaces and reproduce that you feel their nasty health effects.

Mold spores produce allergens substances that can cause you to have allergic reactions resulting in hay-fever-like symptoms: itchy, red eyes, runny nose and asthma. If these persist, you can develop respiratory infections. Its rare, but exposure to mold spores can eventually cause organ damage, cognitive difficulties and even death.

Whats more, mold spores can irritate your lungs even if youre not allergic to mold. When introduced to your body, spores irritate your airways in your nose, mouth and throat, Dr. Ibrahim says. They can also cause burning and bleeding if they become lodged in your mucus membranes, such as in your sinuses and lungs.

I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold

If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.

How Does Mould Affect Your Lungs And Health

Its important to take steps in protecting your lungs from mould. As mould grows, it can release spores which become airborne and then inhaled. Inhaling these fragments can inflame the airways, causing symptoms like cough and throat irritation, wheezing and chest tightness. Exposure can also cause watery or itchy eyes and rashes. If you have a pre-existing lung condition, exposure to mould may cause a flare-up in your condition.

Mould is unlikely to significantly affect people with a strong immune system. But for people with a low immunity, older people or people with a chronic disease like lung disease or diabetes, it can be harmful. Whether you have a pre-existing condition or not, if you experience pro-longed exposure to mould, it can impact your lung function and cause chronic health problems.

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How Is Aspergillosis Diagnosed

Your doctor will probably ask you about your medical history, including the type and duration of your symptoms and whether you have a cough or a fever. It may be difficult to diagnose the condition, because symptoms may resemble those of other diseases.

Some of the diagnostic tests that may be required include:

Skin and blood tests: These tests are useful to diagnose ABPA, especially in cases where the patient has asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. The doctor or technician injects a small quantity of aspergillus antigen into the skin, usually the lower arm. A small red bump at or near the site will show that you have an allergic reaction. In addition, a sample of your blood might be analyzed to see if certain antibodies are present that indicate an allergic reaction.
Imaging tests: A chest X-ray or computerized tomography scan may be performed to examine the lungs.

Sputum culture: A sample of sputum might be stained and tested to see if aspergillus fungus is present.
Biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed from the lungs or sinuses to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.

Testing For Mould In Your Home

Where mould is visible, it is generally not considered necessary to test for it in the home. However, not all mould is visible, as contamination may be in cavities or the ceiling. Generally, if you can see or smell mould, you need to clean up and remove the mould immediately, as mould can damage surfaces it grows on.

If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find the source of the problem, or if you have already taken measures to prevent mould from growing and you are still having problems, you could employ an occupational hygienist or environmental health and safety professional. For a fee, these professionals can provide specialist mould testing and consultancy services.

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The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither the information nor any Air Oasis products are intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or illness. Quantified results from use of Air Oasis products listed on this website are based on testing conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. Actual results may vary and can be effected by variables such as ventilation, natural air flow, and humidity levels.

Identifying Mold In Your Home

Appearance or dark spots or clusters. Look for spots or clustered growths, especially in warm, moist rooms.
Musty smell. You may be able to identify mold by a musty smell.
Allergies or asthma. If you experience asthma attacks or allergy symptoms in your home, that may also indicate theres mold.

Potential causes. Look for causes of mold growth, like a leak, water damage, lack of ventilation, or old food, papers, or wood.

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When Should You Test Your Home For Mold Exposure

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , if visible mold is present on inspection, testing is usually unnecessary. There are no Environmental Protection Agency or government standards that have been established for mold or mold spore levels, so it is impossible to prove that a building or room complies with any health regulations concerning mold exposure. Likewise, the CDC does not recommend routine sampling and testing of mold in the home. Health officials havenât defined tolerable or acceptable limits of mold exposure for humans, and since individuals vary in their susceptibility to mold, testing cannot reliably predict the degree of health risks from any occurrence of mold.

When mold has previously been identified and cleanup procedures have been undertaken, sampling and testing may be carried out if necessary by qualified professionals to determine that adequate cleaning of a building has occurred.

Can It Make Me Sick

What are the effects of mold in the lungs?

Allergies are the most common health problem that mold causes. You may get symptoms like:

Mold can also trigger an asthma attack. Or chronic sinusitis, where your sinuses swell up and wonât settle down.

Those are the main things you can expect. But if you have a long-term lung condition or a weak immune system, it can lead to more serious issues, such as:

Aspergillosis, an infection that causes chest pain and trouble breathing
Pneumonia, where you get swelling in the air sacs of your lungs

Pneumonitis, where your immune system attacks your lung cells and causes swelling

How Can I Check For Mold

Its best to hire a professional to help you identify and remove mold, especially if youre allergic or vulnerable to it.

You should also consider hiring help if the mold covers more than 10 square feet or if its hidden behind wallpaper, ceiling tiles, or other areas.

Here are some steps for identifying and removing mold.

How Does Mold Affect Your Asthma

People with asthma might have reduced lung function. If such a patient who also has mold allergies inhales the spores, it can wreak havoc to their immune system and cause an allergic reaction. The mold may tighten the airways, which become swollen, restricting airflow and triggering an asthma attack.

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What Should I Do If I Suspect Mold In My House

Youll need to address the cause of the mold such as water damage, excessive condensation, poor ventilation, and so on. The best way to make sure you get rid of mold in your house is to hire a professional mold inspector. They will conduct a thorough examination of your home, and assess the molds that are present.

How Are Mold Allergies And Exposure Diagnosed

There are no proven tests that show when or where you may have been exposed to mold.

But your doctor may check for mold allergies by reviewing your symptoms and performing one of the following tests:

Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune systems sensitivity to different mold species.
Skin prick test. Your doctor takes a small amount of mold and applies it to your skin using a tiny needle. Your skin will break out in bumps, a rash, or hives if youre allergic to that type of mold.

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Is There A Test To Determine If I Have Been Exposed To Mold

Some physicians have recommended testing for mold-specific antibodies. Thepresence of antibodies only indicates that you have been exposed to a substanceat some time. It does not tell you when you were exposed, where the exposuretook place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to. Having a positive testfor mold-specific antibodies alone is generally considered insufficient toprove that health effects reported by individuals in moisture-damaged buildingsare caused by exposure to mold.

Medical Treatment For Mold On The Lungs

Anti-Fungal Medicine

The most common type of treatment for lungs that incur microbial growth is anti-fungal medicine. It usually involves taking prescription medication whether it be in pill or liquid form. Some of the names of the medications that are usually used are:

Anti-fungal medication is generally for the mildest cases.

Surgery

Another option which is for the mod severe cases of a condition which we will get more into below called Aspergillosis is to have surgery. Surgery can be risky and can even involve removing a lung which is the last resort option.

I know, scary stuff!

At least we have two lungs right? Truth is, you can actually breathe perfectly fine with just one functioning lung.

Boosting The Immune System

While this can be done with many types of diseases, boosting the immune system can help fight infections that are associated with mold growing on the lungs.

Boosting the Immune System can involve any type of medication that raises your white blood cells which is essential in helping you fight off diseases and infections.

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Remove Sugar & Processed Grains

This should be a no-brainer by now: processed grains and sugar are highly inflammatory, and have no part of a healthy diet. Removing all sources will ensure your body has the opportunity to heal, as opposed to be constantly fighting the low levels of chronic inflammation caused by sugar and grains.

Opting for a high-fat and protein diet, void of refined sugars, helps control your blood sugar throughout the day which is associated with health and longevity, and supports cellular healing.

Common sources of sugar and processed grains to avoid include:

Breakfast cereals

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Can Mold Grow On Your Lungs

Protect your lungs during mold removal work.

Can mold grow on your lungs?

SPOILER ALERT!

but its not exactly what you may think

Read through this whole article, especially if you have a lung condition.

Some of what you read may shock you, but its important to know.

In this article, we will cover:

How mold can grow on the lungs

How mold on the lungs can be treated

Is mold growing on the lungs fatal

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What Does It Cost

Black mold removal costs can vary based on where it is located in the home and how large of an area is affected. If the size of the coverage area is small, you could probably pay as little as $500. However, if the area of black mold coverage is large, you could pay up to $4,000. If your attic or air ducts are affected by black mold spores, then you are going to pay $2,000 to $6,000 for removal.

Could Your Symptoms Be From A General Mold Allergy

Regardless of the species of mold in question, symptoms of a mold allergy can appear very similar, especially when looking at many individuals. So if you see black-colored mold and experience allergic symptoms, it could be Stachybotrys, or it could be another species of mold. That said, the same person can react differently to different molds. For example, one person may have severe dry eyes in response to a Cladosporium exposure, while Aspergillus exposure may cause wheezing and asthma-like symptoms.

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What Can You Do

In addition to visible mould, other signs of damp problems may include: mould odour, water stains, frequent condensation, peeling or cracked paint or wall paper, damp basement, and standing water under or around the house.

No safe levels of indoor dampness and or mould have been defined. So health-based standards or guidelines do not exist.

Nonetheless, there are several practicable measures you can take to prevent or minimise indoor mould. These include adequately heating and, in colder climates, insulating your home to reduce air humidity levels and condensation.

Install and use appropriate ventilation, particularly in wet areas or areas where water vapour may be emitted, such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchen areas.

Its also critical to avoid water leaks by controlling and maintaining rain and surface water drainage. Where holes are created in the roof or walls to allow skylights, windows, doors, pipes or other structures to be fitted, make sure these are watertight.

If you find visible mould in your home, remove the mould and identify and address the cause of the excess moisture. Clean hard surfaces using soap and water or, if mould growth is persistent, a bleach solution could be used. You may need to throw away absorbent materials such as carpets, depending on the level of contamination.

In case of extensive mould damage, you may need to call on commercial mould remediation services.

How Does Mold In Lungs Cause Illness

Mold can cause respiratory illness in a number of ways.

First, it causes irritation to the delicate lining of the bronchi and the tiny bronchioles in the lungs. Inflammation and irritation of the bronchioles make it difficult to get enough air through, causing wheezing and labored breathing. Asthma attacks may occur. Infection of the bronchi, called bronchitis, can also result from mold in the air passages.

Second, microscopic particles of mold that are not expelled by coughing can lead to pneumonia when they become lodged in the lungs. Symptoms of pneumonia range from moderate to severe and include fever, shortness of breathing, coughing, and chest pain when you cough or breathe.

Third, since mold is a foreign substance in the body, it can trigger an immune response in the form of an allergic reaction. This can cause respiratory symptoms as well as an itchy rash or hives.

Finally, some types of mold produce toxic substances called mycotoxins, which may cause a wide range of health problems.

Some people are more susceptible to mold-related illness than others, including small children, elderly people, people with pre-existing respiratory disorders like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder , and people with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy.

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How Would You Know If Mold Is Making You Sick

There are hundreds of different types of molds that can make you sick. If you have symptoms like headaches, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, watery eyes, fatigue, and sneezing, you should consult a doctor, even if you don’t have a history of asthma. Asthma patients can have severe attacks from mold.

Is There More Than One Type Of Aspergillosis

There are several types of aspergillosis.

Pulmonary aspergillosis is most likely to develop in people who have chronic lung disorders or damaged lungs. These people are likely to have abnormal spaces in their lungs where the fungus can grow. The fungus can also rarely infect sinuses and ear canals. The mold spores can colonize inside lung cavities that developed as a result of chronic diseases, such tuberculosis, emphysema, or advanced sarcoidosis. The fibers of fungus might form a lump by combining with white blood cells and blood clots. This lump or ball of fungus is called an aspergilloma or mycetoma. In some cases, a fungus ball may be present in other organs of the body.

Invasive aspergillosis, the most severe type, occurs when the infection travels from the lungs into the bloodstream. Other organs, such as the kidneys, liver, skin or brain, may become infected. This is a very serious condition that may result in death if not treated. People with very weakened immune systems are more susceptible to invasive aspergillosis. Other risk factors include a low white blood cell count, long-term use ofcorticosteroids, or hospitalization.

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Diagnostic Testing For Mold In Lungs

Speak to your doctor about the signs and symptoms youre experiencing. This way, he or she can conduct a few medical tests to determine the exact condition. These tests may include:

X Rays: Imaging such as x rays and CT scans can show the presence of mold in the lungs to help create an accurate diagnosis.

Biopsy: This includes a minor surgical operation in which the physician removes a small sample of lung tissue to send to the lab for testing of mold.

Blood tests: Blood and skin tests can be helpful in determining if a person has allergic reactions to the presence of mold, which is a common cause of the development of lung infection due to mold presence.

Mucus Sample: If mold is present in the lungs, a sample of mucus and saliva may help to determine its presence immediately.