Mold is a fungus that reproduces through tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye which float through the air. These spores land on wet surfaces and grow at places where there is moisture and/or water. Mold is a common issue and it can cause many health problems. Mold illness is rather hard to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. However, it is very important to recognize it because it can become severe and cause complications.
Here are some of the main symptoms of mold illness:
- Headaches
- Fatigue and weakness
- Memory issues and trouble concentrating
- Brain fog
- Blurry vision, red eyes, sensitivity to light
- Coughing, asthma, sinusitis, shortness of breath
- Vertigo
- Weight gain and inability to lose weight
- Tremors
- Muscle cramps and joint pain
- Nerve pain
- Numbness and tingling sensation
- Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite
- Night sweats
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Increased urination
Scientists have spent more than 30 years studying the harmful effects of mold. As we already mentioned, mold spreads through tiny invisible spores that live in damp, warm and humid areas as well as in places prone to water leakage and those that lack ventilation.
Mold is usually found in the bathroom, shower cabin, on paper, carpet, on your pets, shoes, books etc. It can travel through the air so it is extremely important to change the air filters of your air conditioned every 3 months.
Buildings that have gone through water damage are more prone to formation of contaminants in the air and dust that create a toxic chemical mixture. This can also form mycotoxins – toxic ingredients that stick to mold fragments in the air. Recent studies have shown that sinusitis can be a result of persistent mold disease.
Mold toxicity is known as Chronic Inflammatory Response and is classified as a biotoxin illness. R. Shoemaker, MD, who is the author of the book Surviving Mold: Life in the Era of Dangerous Buildings, says mold illness can be either acute or chronic and is a response of exposure to fungi, bacteria, mycobacterium etc. Shoemaker also says that almost 25% of people all around the world are prone to mold toxicity because of an immune response gene which increases the risk of mold disease.
Mold illness that is a result of water-damaged building is very serious because it is a chronic inflammation that can cause many health complications if not treated properly. If the disease is already in our DNA, once it activated it creates symptoms of inflammatory response that can last long.
Chronic Inflammatory Response is diagnosed if the patient meets the following criteria:
- Abnormalities documented by VCS tests
- Genetic predisposition to biotoxin- related illnesses
- History and symptoms of biotoxin exposure
- Biomarkers consistent with vascular, neuro-immune and endocrine abnormalities specific to CIRS
If you think you have been exposed to mold or if you experience the abovementioned symptoms try to research more about mold disease. It is also important to test the mold if it is present in your home with an ERMI test or by hiring an environmental professional. You can also find out whether you have the genetic predisposition to mold disease by the Shoemaker protocol.