Mold Illness Part 1

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we get all the beauty of a temperate rainforest, the a moderate climate, and the lush greenery. We also get high humidity and abundant water in and around our homes and places of business. It is a natural home to mold. Mold brings with it spores which, when released into the air, we have all breathed in, noting a musty or moldy smell. The spores are small enough to become airborne and make it into our lungs- they stimulate our body’s mucociliary response; we make mucus and cough it up along with the mold spores. Unfortunately, mold spores can fragment- each spore can split into 500 fragments which are much, much smaller and continue down the respiratory tract to areas which cannot be cleared by coughing. Once a fragment is deep enough in the lungs, the immune system goes to work to get rid of it. Under some circumstances, this attack by the immune system causes the fragments to release chemical mycotoxins, which are then released into the system. Mycotoxins are extremely small and can penetrate human cells freely. While most mold allergies are a response to spores, and have one set of symptoms, generally respiratory in nature, mold sickness from mycotoxins can lead to diverse responses from the immune system, and subsequently, a significant diversity of symptoms. The fragments can colonize the gut or the sinuses, or both!

Some of the many symptoms of mold illness:

-        Chronic sinus pressure

-        Dark circles under the eyes

-        Brain fog, confusion, loss of coordination and memory loss

-        Anxiety and depression

-        Swollen glands, getting colds or flus frequently or having them last for long durations

-        Fatigue

-        Diarrhea/constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation

-        Recurrent Athlete’s foot, jock itch or toenail fungus or recurrent yeast infections

-        Frequent static shocks

-        Cyclical vomiting

-        Unexplained anemia

-        Sore or itchy ear canals

-        Food sensitivities

-        Chemical sensitivities

-        Nerve pain

-        Numbness or tingling

-        Headaches and migraines

-        “Ice pick” pains

-        Interstitial cystitis

Mold can grow on a damp surface within 24 - 48 hours. It does not have to be the dreaded black mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, to cause illness. As the rains come, remember to be diligent about checking for leaks in your basement and any other place that gets damp in your home. Mold is not only a problem in older homes. Airtight, energy efficient homes and buildings made with composite woods are quite susceptible to mold growth as well.