Mold is quite prevalent and a major problem in every home since it spreads quickly and causes a host of medical issues.
Mold frequently develops in a variety of places, such as behind the shower curtain, in the basement, in the drywall, in leaking walls, etc.
Researchers discovered that even Christmas trees can produce mold, releasing millions of spores into the air and triggering asthma and allergy symptoms over the winter. Due to the Christmas tree decorations, the indoor air quality decreased six times after two weeks.
There are more than 1,000 different forms of mold, and specialists divide them into the following categories based on how they affect both people and other living things:
Allergenic Molds:
These molds are the least dangerous ones, and children are more prone to these allergies. They aggravate the asthma symptoms and lead to problems in people with a predisposed allergy to the specific mold.
Pathogenic Molds:
Pathogenic molds lead to infections and are extremely dangerous in the case of a weak immune system. People exposed to these mold types develop an acute response similar to bacterial pneumonia.
Toxigenic Molds:
These molds produce mycotoxins which lead to severe health effects, like immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals in these mold types are absorbed as soon as they are inhaled, touched, or ingested.
Dr. Mercola reports that these are the 5 most common indoor molds:
- Aspergillus: This mold is an occupant of house dust, and is often found in warm, extremely damp climates. It produces mycotoxins and results in lung infections.
- Penicillium: It can often be found on the carpet, wallpapers, decaying fabrics, and fiberglass duct insulation, and leads to asthma and allergies. Some species, like the antibiotic penicillin, produce mycotoxins
- Cladosporium: This common outdoor fungus grows on wood, textiles, and other damp, porous materials, and causes asthma-like symptoms and fever.
- Stachybotrys: This is an extremely toxic “black mold” that produces mycotoxins which lead to various health issues, such as serious breathing difficulties and bleeding of the lungs. It is commonly found on paper and wood, and not on tiles, linoleum, or concrete.
- Alternaria: This mold type is often found in the mouth, nose, and upper respiratory tract, and results in allergic responses.
Mold illness is a set of various health issues which are caused by the exposure to mold.
“Although a mold allergy is the most common problem caused by exposure to mold, mold can cause illness without an allergic reaction. Mold can also cause infections or irritant and toxic reactions. Infections caused by mold can lead to a variety of problems from flu-like symptoms to skin infections and even pneumonia. “
Mold toxicity is considered a Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and represents another serious health issue.
As explained by Ritchie Shoemaker, MD, author of Surviving Mold: Life in the Era of Dangerous Buildings, CIRS is:
“an acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and Mycobacterium as well as inflammagens…”
These are the 11 most commons symptoms of mold illness:
- Eye Problems like Red Eyes or Light Sensitivity
- Vertigo and tremors
- Temperature Regulation or Night Sweats
- Weakness and fatigue
- Excessive Thirst and Increased Urination
- Headaches, Brain Fog, Memory Problems, Trouble Focusing
- Tingling sensation and numbness
- Unexplained Muscle Cramps and pain, joint pain, Persistent Nerve Pain
- Asthma and Sinus issues such as coughs or Shortness of Breath
- Digestive Issues such as diarrhea, nausea, appetite loss, Abdominal Pain
How has mold impacted your life?
If you want to learn how to fight back against mold illness, take a look at the video below!
A Note of Caution:
Some research, encapsulated in this analysis, warns against assuming that exposure to black mold or other molds result in mold illness. Yet the CDC, the EPA, and OSHA all have websites with information concerning mold and the potential for mold illness.
Sources and References:
Dr. Mercola
www.davidwolfe.co