Link Between Mold & Chronic Health Conditions

If you're experiencing unexplained symptoms, it may be time to look at mold as a culprit.

Mold toxicity is a varied, intense group of symptoms that make diagnosis difficult. Chronic fatigue, brain fog, nausea, vomiting, difficulty thinking, severe diarrhea, air hunger, chest tightness, numbness and tingling, dizziness, muscle pain and more can be symptomatic of mold toxicity.

Mold allergies present sneezing, coughing and sometimes asthma. 

If multiple symptoms like these are present, but a cause has not been determined, consider mold toxicity. Treating individual symptoms won’t provide lasting benefit.

Post-exertional malaise is common for those with mold toxicity. Exercise helps with many other health conditions, but in the case of mold toxicity, activity physically wipes out the sufferer. The body doesn’t have reserves of energy for fitness.

Mold exposure could have colonized in your body from as long as 15 years ago. Childbirth, illness, flu, surgery and enormous stress can weaken your immune system. This can allow the mold to grow.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic disease that is atypical, mold toxicity is suspect.

How Mold Exposure Works
Mold toxins are called mycotoxins. Mold exposure includes contact with mycotoxins and volatile airborne spores, bacteria, and irritants that set off the immune system. The immune response creates the inflammation, which is the basis for many of these health conditions.

Not all molds are toxic. Water damage in buildings provides the perfect environment for toxic mold growth. Inhaling mold is far more dangerous than accidentally eating mold.

Testing for Toxicity
You can test your home for mold toxicity with a home kit. Mold plates don’t require a prescription. Put the plate out for a few days. If it’s ugly after three to five days, send it in to the company for evaluation.

You can test yourself for toxic mold. RealTime Laboratories Inc. has a urine test that detects four types of toxic mold. You simply mail in your specimen for results.

Listen as Dr. Neil Nathan joins Dr. Susanne Bennett to discuss how mold affects your health.