More About Mold Illness And Its Effects On The Brain
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Testing For Mold Toxicity
If you find mold in your home or workplace, it is important to test for mold toxicity in your body. Oftentimes, people who are struggling to get healthy , are dealing with mold toxicity.
Mold toxins increase the burden on the liver and create chronic inflammation in the body. These toxins are highly indicated in neurological disorders and symptoms like brain fog, depression, and anxiety. One very effective option for testing mold toxins in the body is the GPL-MycoTOX Profile.
How Does Mold Impact Our Health
As mentioned above, some types of mold produce mycotoxins nasty little spores that cannot be seen without a special equipment. For example, one often found toxic type of mold is the infamous black mold.
In most cases, mold spores will weaken your immune system enough that you become vulnerable to many diseases. How much of a harmful effect mold will have on your health will mainly depend on the time spend in mold presence. The longer you live inside a moldy house and breathe in mold spores, the greater the risk for you and, of course, your loved ones.
Ensuring that your home stays mold free is one of the best ways to prevent diseases and infections such as tuberculosis.
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So What Is A Mycotoxin
Mycotoxins, literally fungus poison in Latin, are secondary metabolites that can be produced by molds, and are not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold. Not all mold spores produce mycotoxins, but some do. So the molds that produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous.
So, where is the line between an allergic mold and a toxic mold? That line is defined by the presence of mycotoxins, and is NOT defined by color. Mycotoxins are invisible and cannot be detected just by looking at the mold growth.
What Are Toxigenic Reactions To Mold
A toxigenic mold produces toxins. There are approximately 20 common toxins that mold is known to produce.
When you ingest or inhale these toxins, your chance of becoming ill increases. Upon exposure to toxigenic mold, you may experience the following effects:
- Mucous membrane irritation
- Acute/chronic central nervous system disorders
- Hormone disorders
- Cancer
Another serious condition associated with mold exposure is hypersensitive pneumonitis. This is an acute, or chronic, lung disease brought on by inhaling fungal antigens.
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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.
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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What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Sickness
If your Total Body Burden is high, or you are genetically predisposed to recycling toxins, regular exposure to mold can cause allergy symptoms, such as:
- Wheezing/shortness of breath
- Long standing or frequent sinusitis
And, serious pain and neurological symptoms, such as:
- Headaches and migraines
- Muscle cramping, aches and pains
- Persistent nerve pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Poor memory, brain fog, difficulty with focus
In some cases, the spores from mold take root and grow in specific parts of the body, such as the lungs and sinuses. This can cause serious respiratory illnesses and infections.
How Toxic Mold Enters And Infects The Human Body
by Moe Bedard | Apr 17, 2017 | Mold Illness & Disease
Toxic mold can cause serious illness, disease and even death in humans. Both the mold spores and secondary metabolites which are known as mycotoxins can cause serious health effects such as mycosis and a fungal infection. But before they do, they first need to enter and get absorbed into the body.
Many people who are sick from toxic mold have been mainly exposed via their environments such as the outdoor air, their homes, workplaces, schools, and even the food they eat. More than likely, they have stayed in these dangerous environments for prolonged periods of time where they have breathed in, touched and have also probably eaten food contaminated with toxic mold or possibly all the above which could be possible.
These mold spores and their mycotoxins enter our body mainly through three different routes.
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Find Optimal Health And Wellness
If youre dealing with mysterious symptoms that you think could be related to mold exposure, dont lose hope. Contact us for an appointment and an individualized treatment plan to help you regain optimal health and wellness.
1. Mold General Information: Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum CDC.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
2. Mold General Information: Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum CDC.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
3. Molds, Mycotoxins and More | Surviving Mold.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
4. The role and abatement of fungal allergens in allergic diseases .. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
5. Bacterial amplification and in-place carpet drying: implications NCBI.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
6. Indoor Air Quality Explained | Welcome to Austin Air.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
7. Mixed mold mycotoxicosis: immunological changes in humans NCBI.. Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
8. Structural brain abnormalities in patients with inflammatory NCBI. 17 Jun. 2014, . Accessed 6 Aug. 2019.
Mold Reactions: Who’s At Risk
For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.
In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- Infants and children
- People whose immune systems are compromised due to HIV infection, cancer, liver disease, or chemotherapy
- People with chronic lung disease
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What Are The Signs Of Mold In Your House
Musty smells are a tell-tale sign of mold. Another common indicator is visible signs of water damage.
As mentioned earlier, mold grows fast. Within 24 hours of a water leak, or a flood, mold will begin to take hold. This mold can grow on anything thats humid walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even wet laundry.
When there is a chance of mold, its important to have a professional in to test. Professionals qualified to do environmental investigations can:
- Check the surfaces of your house for mold
- Test the air for spores
- Help you to identify sources of moisture
- Identify where the mold is growing and help you decontaminate your house
- Use natural enzymes to kill mold spores
If you dont get rid of all sources of mold, you risk getting sick from it.
They Will Deceive You With Their Innocent Look
They have septate hyphae with conidiophores at the tip. Conidiophores produce the asexual, non-motile spores of black toxic molds, called conidia, which are rounded and may be translucent or pigmented, 1-celled, and in clusters.
The conidiophores may be simple or branched but are always attached with phialides. Phialides are flask-shaped stalks that project from the dilated peak of the conidiophore. These may be translucent or pigmented, cylindrically-shaped, and form clusters made of 3 to 10.
During the earlier stage of the S. species, the hyphae and the conidiophores are translucent. As time goes by, greenish-black pigmentation accumulates in these areas.
It takes only four days for Stachybotrys to grow a mature colony.
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The Hidden Dangers Of Black Mold
chronic sinus infectionsAllergic reactionsSilent, Often Invisible, and DangerousWho Is Affected By Mold?
Physical signs of mold exposure can range from itchy, water eyes to asthma and airway problems. The body reacts to a mold that may not otherwise be toxic by exhibiting allergy-related symptoms, such as an irritated throat, coughing, or a runny nose. For some people, the reaction may be more severe, causing nausea, fatigue, sinus infections or trouble breathing. In more extreme cases, fungus can produce volatile organic compounds, which can affect the central nervous system and cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating and decreased attention span, according to www.toxic-black-mold-info.com. The Environmental Protection Agency also has information on mold and how to combat it and protect yourself and your home.Documentation of the dangers of mold, the result of studies being undertaken by countries around the world, is pointing toward an increase in the prevalence of the health problems mold can cause, particularly in children.
The Mold You BreatheMethods for Preventing and Dealing With Mold
Are You A Clean Freak?
It’s easy to spot a clean freak when you see one in action. What’s not so easy is recognizing the signs of compulsive obsession with cleanliness when you’re the one who’s obsessing. Having a clean house doesn’t mean that you are a clean freak.
How To Cure Mold Related Asthma Symptoms
If youve ever experienced the effects of the persistent and hazardous micro-organism called mold, then you already know how unpleasant and debilitating these effects can be.
The very first step in doing away with your symptoms is to find the and the have it removed.
In most cases, mold problems can be traced back to some sort of moisture problem since water is the leading factor contributing to fungal growth. So, begin with detecting the problematic areas in your home. These areas most often include the kitchen sink, leaking toilets, condensation around windows and cracks in the foundation. Also keep an eye on areas that are poorly insulation and more humid.
In some cases, areas that are contaminated with mold are easily identified theyre unsightly, attract dust and release unpleasant odours. Once youve identified them, the next step is fixing them in an efficient manner.
Unless you are lucky enough to possess specialized equipment and knowledge of proper mold remediation procedures, your best option is calling a team of mold removal experts. Not only are they well equipped with all the latest equipment, but they also have years of first-hand experience dealing with all types of mold problems. Theyll be able to pinpoint with certainty the source of the mold contamination and plan for a strategic remediation. Also, theyll ultimately be able to minimize your risk of future mold growth.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Black Mold Poisoning
Black mold exposure may often present with your typical allergic complaints that are listed above. However, one must be mindful that other non-allergic, mold-related illnesses exist and may present similarly to a mold allergy, but often with more seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Research has found that people who have been exposed to mixed mold, mold spores and mycotoxins have experienced neurological and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms have been corroborated by other studies like Gordon et al. and Rea et al. .
Such non-allergic symptoms to mold may include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive impairment
Getting Help With Mold Removal
If possible, you should arrange to have the mold removed from your home while you are receiving medical care so that you can return to a safe and mold-free home. We recommend scheduling a free consultation with a mold removal professional who can explain the work that needs to be done in your home and answer all your questions. He or she can also explain your payment options and may even be able to help you get your home owners insurance policy to cover some of the cost. You can find experienced mold removal professionals offering free consultations in your area by following the link provided.
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Ways Toxic Mold Affects Your Brain
June 5, 2020
Diet, sleep, physical activity, stress managementas advocates of an ancestral diet and lifestyle, we know well that these factors have a significant impact on our cognitive function. However, have you ever stopped to think about how your indoor environment might be impacting your brain?
This article originally appeared in Paleo Magazine.
The average person living in the modern, Westernized world spends a whopping 80 to 90 percent of his or her time indoors. Given the amount of time we spend inside, we must ensure the safety and cleanliness of our indoor environments. Unfortunately, a shocking number of residential buildings, schools, and workplaces today harbor an environmental contaminant that poses a severe threat to our cognitive healthmold. Read on to learn why the sharp smell of mold and unpleasant musty odors indoors should not be ignored if you care about your long-term cognitive health.
Exposure to toxic mold can cause a number of worrying cognitive symptoms. Check out this article to find out more and to learn how to seek treatment. #functionalmedicine #chriskresser
State Of The Art Facility
Dr. Sponaugle spent years of research to find treatment for stealth conditions that attack the nervous system, such as mold toxicity and Lyme disease.His clinical research correlated patient symptoms and intensity of mold sickness with over 9,000 Neurotransmitter patterns, 6000 Mold Mycotoxin levels, 2000 Industrial Toxin levels, and thousands of mathematical biomarkers for Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis , Immune Dysfunction, Stealth Infections, and Genetic Testing.The Sponaugle Wellness Institute use highly-advanced technology for precise diagnosis, and to determine co-infections. The patient undergoes periodic brain scans to monitor progress.
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Side Effects Of Breathing Mold And Mildew
The quality of the air you breathe is vital for your well-being. There are thousands of microbial contaminants in the air that may pose health hazards. Fungi, which are ubiquitous in distribution are one such grave threat to your health in indoor environments. Molds are the most common forms of fungi found on earth. And mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. They reproduce through the formation of spores, which are tiny microscopic cells that float through the air. These mild spores are not always dangerous. We are exposed to them daily, both indoors and outdoors.
Outdoors, molds take part in the decomposition of organic matter such as dead trees, compost, and leaves. But, when they land on a moist surface indoors, they may grow, posing dangers. Molds survive and grow in warm, humid, and damp conditions.1 So, usually they are found in places such as basements or showers where there is high humidity. They also grow on cardboard, wood products, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, paint, and paper products.
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.
- Thyroid issues
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Mould Effect On Health Mould Toxicity Symptoms
Sometimes we dont get the opportunity to fix mould issues before they affect our health. But the earlier you discover that mould is the cause of your health issues, the sooner you can recover.
It is important to note that some people will not experience any health problems from coming in contact with mould, while others will. It just depends on ones immune system, mould sensitivity, and duration of exposure.
A test you can do yourself, is to leave the home for a period of time and stay elsewhere, monitoring for any changes in your health.
Most physicians are not mould literate as medical school doesnt teach doctors to recognise the symptoms of mould toxicity and the multi-system dysfunctions that occur as a result.
Symptoms of mould illness are varied and can be different from person to person. Some of the common presentations include:
- Running or blocked nose, irritation of the eyes and skin and sometimes wheezing.
- Asthma
- Neurological changes including loss of memory and inability to focus
- Depression, rage and quick mood changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Autoimmunity .
- Mould infection, usually in the lungs.
The symptoms are so varied that most people with mould toxicity end up with multiple diagnoses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disorder and depression and are subsequently medicated for each condition, without the underlying cause ever having been discovered.
