Have you experienced any stubborn, persistent health symptoms that are unexplained? Have you tried multiple over the counter medications or supplements with no relief? Have you been seen by multiple medical physicians who say your symptoms are all in your head? All the medical testing says you are “normal?”
You may be one of the many people living with or working around toxic mold.
Mold can be a big problem. Of course, when we think of mold, we look at the shower curtain, under the sink, or in the basement. However, mold can grow everywhere. Mold can be found in dry wall, roofs (if there is a leak), and air conditioning vents. In fact, there are over 1,000 types of mold that can be found growing in modern American homes. Scientists classify these molds based on the effect that have on humans and other living things.
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.
Pathogenic Molds. Pathogenic molds will cause some infection. This is a big problem for those with a suppressed immune system related to autoimmunity, Lyme disease, or other tick-borne vectors. 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 even 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.
Four of the Most Common Indoor Molds
Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Mold
Many people are unaware that their home, school, or workplace could be the root cause of their symptoms. In fact, it’s estimated that indoor pollutants to include toxic mold, are at a concentration of 2 to 5 times higher than that of the pollutants found outdoors and contributes to more than 50% of patients’ illnesses!
If you’re someone who already has chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or suffer from a respiratory condition such as asthma or COPD, your reaction to mold may be much more significant. These worsened symptoms can cause:
In cases of long-term toxic mold exposure, this may lead to more serious symptoms such as:
Is there treatment for Mold Exposure?
If you believe you are being exposed to toxic mold, I recommend the following steps:
Jacki Meinhardt, FNP is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) committed to the health and wellness of all patients. Recognizing the unique needs of each individual, Jacki emphasizes active patient engagement, proven medical advancements, critical thinking, and patient education to achieve optimum and sustainable results. In addition to general integrative medicine services, Jacki’s focus at Five Stone Wellness will center on CIRS, Lyme, and tick-borne illnesses, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, hormone management, detoxification, and auto-immune diseases.
References:
https://www.medicinenet.com/mold_exposure/article.htm
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323419.php
https://www.healthline.com/health/black-mold-exposure#testing-indoors
https://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q1
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