You may have heard a friend or family member talk about mold illness. But, you may not be sure what it is or how it’s treated. If you’ve been renovating your home and have discovered mold, you may have been exposed to toxic molds that can cause a wide range of symptoms. You may have noticed mold growing on the basement walls but aren’t quite sure what to do about it. If you or loved one begins feeling unwell in any way and it doesn’t seem to be getting better, it is possible mold illness is the problem.
The symptoms of mold illness can vary from one person to the next. CIRS, or chronic inflammatory response syndrome, affects the human body by contributing to increased production of cytokines, or cells that encourage inflammatory response. When this happens, people who are suffering from mold exposure can experience inflammation just about anywhere in the body.
The body does not recognize mold spores and launches a reaction, in an attempt to rid the body of the foreign substances. Some people can recover when they remove themselves from the areas where they’ve been exposed. For others, it will take longer. Roughly a fourth of the population has the HLA-DL gene, which makes them more susceptible to mold illness and more severe effects, when exposed to molds.
When the body is constantly fighting what it perceives as foreign substances, chronic health problems can occur. Those affected can suffer from a variety of symptoms that make every day life difficult. Often, the first symptoms include sneezing, respiratory issues, runny nose, and general sinus drainage. But mold sickness is not necessarily limited to those symptoms. It can go well beyond symptoms of allergies and mold illness should not be confused with allergies.
Cognitive difficulties like poor memory and brain function can follow the initial symptoms. Numbness, tingling, and other neurological symptoms can also occur. Other symptoms can range from abdominal pain and digestive disorders, to skin rashes and other skin conditions. Often, people treat each set of symptoms separately first, not realizing they may all be related.
Headaches, joint pain, and vision problems are not uncommon in people experiencing mold sickness. There are many other issues that can occur with people who have been exposed to mold. Sometimes they’re diagnosed with more serious diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and depression. Fibromyalgia can also occur with mold illness.
If you think you or a loved one is suffering from mold sickness, it’s a good idea to find a practitioner who specializes in mold related health issues. It’s best not to think about more serious issues until a specialist has been consulted. A physician who is well versed in mold sickness knows how to diagnose and treat related problems.
There are many different types of treatments available and each may work better for one person than another. There are some detox methods believed to be helpful for many symptoms. Having a plan when you believe you’re suffering from mold exposure is the best course of action. You can overcome the symptoms with type and some strict regiments to keep your immune system from overreacting.
