What Can Mold Do To Your Lungs

How To Cure And Detox Your Body From Mold Poison Naturally Symptoms Testing And Treatment

Now more than ever indoor mold, even Toxic Mold exposure is easier to treat.

You can do mold remediation on your home and remove environmental toxins.

You can but do not need to call in a mold inspector as there are many online kits you can test for in your mold detox protocol

From my research It has been estimated that up to 25 percent of people have a genetic and immune system predisposition to mold mycotoxins says Dr. Jim Ken Ph.D.

What is also concerning is according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , maybe as high a 50% of dwellings, commercial building, and offices in America have a history of water damage and could easily contain mold toxins

Black mold is a common occurrence in homes, growing and flourishing in damp, humid conditions. This would not be such a problem but for the fact that black mold can cause a host of symptoms and if left untreated can lead to toxic conditions within your body.

TL DR

• Follow a Detox protocol
• Follow a Mold detox Diet

We will cover in this article How to Prevent Exposure to Mold, Symptoms of Mold Exposure and provide an in-depth look at mold poisoning, toxicity, detection, prevention, and how to detox your body from the mold

So what is black mold? Where does it appear? What are the health risks or black mold poisoning and how do you get rid of the symptoms and the causes?

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Mycotoxins Damage Your Health

Mycotoxins are sneaky. While mold itself cant enter your bloodstream though it can hang around and colonize in spots like your nostrils and lungs mycotoxins can get into your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body.

These opportunistic toxins can hijack your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections. If your immune system is already compromised , mycotoxins take advantage. If youre healthy, they can make you very sick.

Studies show that mycotoxins can:

• Cause lung inflammation that can make it harder to breathe
• Worsen allergy and asthma symptoms

Unfortunately, mold toxicity is frequently misdiagnosed. Because of its wide-ranging effects, its typically mistaken for other conditions including depression, multiple sclerosis, or autoimmune conditions. Plus, because mycotoxins are opportunistic, theyre often connected with debilitating diseases such as Lyme disease, IBS and fibromyalgia.

Your Genes Can Make You More Vulnerable

Around 25% of people are genetically predisposed to get sick from mold exposure. A simple test, called the HLA-DR, can tell you if youre in that more susceptible population.

If you are, it means your immune system cant easily identify and get rid of mycotoxins. That can allow them to build up in the body, causing harm wherever they end up. On top of that, because of that genetic twist, even relatively small exposures to mycotoxins can affect you.

What Causes Aspergillosis

In most cases, aspergillosis is caused by a type of mold called Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillus mold can often be found on dead leaves, compost piles and other decaying vegetable matter, stored grain, and even foods and spices. The mold spores may be carried indoors on shoes and clothing and can grow on carpeting. Window unit air conditioners are susceptible to mold growth if filters are not kept clean, and water does not drain properly from the unit. Sites where buildings are being torn down or renovated may be contaminated with mold spores.

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Symptoms Of Mold Exposure

Common symptoms of exposure include brain fog, depression, skin irritations/rashes, fatigue, joint pain, and inflammation to name a few.

If you have been suffering from a seemingly random array of symptoms that have no known cause, mold could be the answer. Because mold has the ability to affect the whole body with a broad range of symptoms, many individuals suffer for much longer than they should before receiving a diagnosis.

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How Can Dampness And Mold Problems Be Fixed

• Identify and eliminate the water problem. The most critical step is to identify and eliminate the source of the water that is creating a damp environment. You may need technical assistance from a plumber or contractor to determine what needs to be fixed or changed.
• Determine the extent of the problem. EPA recommends calling for professional help to clean any mold growth that covers more than 10 square feet. If you are unable to determine the extent of the problem, contact a professional, who can help you protect your family.
• Remove, clean or discard affected materials. To get rid of mold, wash it off materials that can be effectively cleaned, such as hard surfaces. Use detergent and warm water. Dry the surface completely. If the materials cannot be cleaned or are too damaged to reuse, discard them. Porous materials, like ceiling tiles, likely cannot be cleaned thoroughly and must be discarded.
• Protect occupants and workers during the cleanup process. At minimum, wear an N-95 mask , disposable gloves and goggles.

If water build up was caused by sewage, floods or other contaminated water, call a professional.

For more information on guidelines for safely cleaning up mold, visit the EPA’s mold clean up site.

Page last updated: November 17, 2022

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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family

There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.

Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.

There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.

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How Do You Keep Mold Out Of Buildings And Homes

Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance. Correct conditions causing mold growth to prevent mold growth.

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

• Controlling humidity levels
• Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
• Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
• Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

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Runny Nose And Postnasal Drip

Your bodys overproduction of mucus can reveal itself not only through a persistent cough but also through your bodys attempts to dispose of it. The body continually produces mucus, a viscous fluid that serves to lubricate as well as clean. Its the second of these two functions that is pertinent to the allergic response. Mucus captures foreign invaders, like viruses and bacteria, and flushes them out, often harmlessly and unnoticeably. But when the body produces more mucus in the respiratory system than it can quietly dispose of, you notice the output in the form of a runny nose or postnasal drip. Whether excess mucus drains through the nostrils or down the throat, the discomfort it creates can indicate that the body is responding to the presence of mold.

Symptoms From Mold In House

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. Molds can grow on almost any surface, including wood, paper, carpet, food, and insulation. When mold grows on surfaces, it often produces spores. These spores can cause mold allergy symptoms in some people. Exposure to mold can cause a variety of health problems. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of mold. In some cases, exposure to mold can lead to serious infections. If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it is important to have it removed by a professional. Mold can be difficult to remove and can cause further damage to your home and health if not removed properly.

If you think there might be mold in your house, look for common symptoms from mold in house including:

• Respiratory problems such as wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• In severe cases, mold exposure can lead to lung infections or bleeding in the lungs.

If you experience any of these symptoms, its important to see a doctor right away. Mold exposure can be very dangerous, and its important to get treated as soon as possible.

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Working Towards Preventing Aspergillosis Effect On The Lungs

At this point, youre probably thinking, Okay how do I avoid indoor mold growth and those potential health effects asap?!

You work towards decreasing the number of habitable moldy locations in your home. And! If you work or spend a significant amount of time inside another building, ask them what their mold prevention and action plans are. Stopping indoor mold growth starts with knowing what mold needs to live. Like seeds from a weed, spores arent alive. They cant just decide one day that they want to settle down and start a life. Similar to plants and humans, they need certain things to begin to grow.

Being the tenacious fungus that they are, mold spores only need four things to survive and thrive: ²²

With the first three ingredients for life fairly easy to come by in an indoor space, moisture is the aspect lacking for a mold spore to start growing. Give it a slightly damp or wet spot, though, and in 24-48 hours, youll have indoor mold growth. Once that starts, not only will there be a higher number of spores in the air, drastically decreasing your air quality, but there will also be a higher chance one of these spores will find another habitable area inside the space starting the cycle all over again.

Some of these preventative actions include:

Signs Of Mold In The Lungs

• Allergic Reactions

Individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis or asthma may experience severe allergic reaction to mold in the lungs. They may develop a fever or cough that brings up plugs of mucus or blood. It may also worsen asthma symptoms causing life-threatening conditions. Dryness within the nasal passages may occur because of persistent coughing caused by allergic reactions in the lungs.

• Shortness of Breath

People with serious mold allergies may suffer from shortness of breath. Too much accumulation of mold in lungs can block the air sacs that help to transport oxygen into the blood and other major organs in the body. This reduces the lung capacity to hold enough air that can lead to shortness of breath. Unlike a healthy individual, you may be forced to breathe faster than usual to compensate the amount of air required by the body.

Chronic lung conditions such as tuberculosis, emphysema or advanced sarcoidosis can lead to the formation of cavities or air spaces in the lungs. When fungus fibers find their way into the existing cavities, they start to grow and reproduce into tangled masses known as aspergillomas. It may start with a mild cough and can worsen underlying chronic lung conditions if you do not receive early treatment.

• Acute Pain in the Lungs

• Invasive Aspergillosis

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What Is A Mold Allergy

If you have an allergy that occurs over several seasons, you may be allergic to the spores of molds or other fungi. Molds live everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air.

Mold and mildew are fungi. They are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The seeds, called spores, travel through the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high.

Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. But fungi grow in many places, both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year round.

Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen cause allergic reactions. Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollens, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas. They can often be found in the bathroom, kitchen or basement.

What Is Farmers Lung Disease And What Are The Symptoms

There is a name for this sensitivity to mold and its known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or HP. The HP develops over time, and Farmers Lung is the most common form. Its a serious allergic reaction to mold spores in the air, often found in crops and hay. The mold spores become attached to the dust particles and are inhaled while farmers work with crops. Farmers can inhale up to 750,000 spores a minute!

Symptoms are most severe immediately after contact and continue if treatment is delayed. Those who work around potentially moldy crops are more susceptible to Farmers Lung disease. These cases account for over 30% of adults disabled by respiratory illness.

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How Can Mold On The Lungs Be Treated

So heres the thing:

I am not a doctor nor do I pretend to be. This information cannot be treated as medical advice.

Now that we got that out of the way I am going to give you what I know about how doctors treat it and then I will give you some lifestyle tips that may help you.

But first things first:

Before you can have mold treated on your lungs you first need to be diagnosed. Medical professionals can generally determine if you have mold growing on your lungs by taking samples of tissue and or blood tests. Sometimes even tissue from a piece of your lung can be investigated to determine if mold growth is present or not.

How Can I Clean Moldy Surfaces

It is important to make sure that the source of moisture is fixed before the mold is cleaned up. If this is not done, the mold will grow again. How you clean up areas contaminated with mold depends on the surface where the mold is growing. A professional should be consulted if large areas are contaminated with mold. If the surface is non-porous , you can take the following steps:

• The surfaces first need to be cleaned:

• Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent in warm water and scrub the entire area affected by the mold. Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on block walls or uneven surfaces.
• Rinse clean with water.
• Dry completely.
• The next step, if desired, is to disinfect the surfaces to help kill any mold missed by the initial cleaning:

• Ventilate the area before using a disinfectant.
• Disinfect the area with a solution of water and bleach . Never mix bleach with ammonia the vapors are hazardous. Straight bleach will not be more effective.
• Let disinfecting areas air dry completely.

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Removing Mold From Your Home

Resolve any issues causing mold growth, and throw away anything affected by mold or contributing to mold growth that you cant clean.

• Wear protective gear. As youre dealing with the moldy area, cover yourself with a mask, gloves, goggles, and rubber boots. If youre cleaning a lot of mold, you can also wear disposable clothing or a mold-resistant suit.
• Ventilate the room. Open all doors and windows to increase ventilation.
• Sort and discard. Remove any objects from the area that havent been touched by mold growth. Throw away any items that cant be cleaned.
• Replace moldy housing materials. Cut away and replace mold-damaged drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpet.
• Scrub and disinfect. Cover and scrub nonporous surfaces affected by mold with bleach, a fungicide, or detergent and water, then dry them. Dont mix cleaning products together.
• Address any water issues. Make sure any water problems are fixed and the area is dry before you renovate the room.

You cant prevent all mold, but you can reduce the amount in your home. Here are some dos and donts for managing mold and keeping it from growing indoors.

The Path Of Resistance

Initially, Mikes landlord tried to fix the problem himself, bleaching the moldy walls. We call that spray nâ pray, said Scott Armour of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a global industry body for remediators. They, along with the EPA, advise against bleach for a variety of reasons, namely that fumes can be dangerous and its usually ineffective.

Bleach only works for non-porous surfaces. It cant touch the mold that has burrowed into surfaces like wood or drywall . But the most important reason bleach fails is that people dont stop the molds water supply.

First thing I do is check for leaks, in the bathroom or roof or a crack in the foundation, said Greg Bukowski, who runs the Chicago-based remediation company Moldman USA. Theres always a leak. If you dont fix that, dont bother with bleach or vinegar. Then kill and remove the mold with detergent and water, then prevent its return with mold-resistant paint like Kilz .

When bleach didnt work, Mike paid for an indoor airborne mold test, which raised more questions than it answered. We had no idea how to interpret the results. I just couldnt find any information out there that isnt written by remediation guys, he said. They told him he had the dreaded black mold, and needed professional remediation.

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