One of the most common household issues is mold since it grows everywhere and can also cause a number of health issues. It usually grows under the sink, in the basement, at the shower curtain, in the corners, in drywall, in leaking walls, etc.
According to researchers, even Christmas trees can develop mold, giving off millions of spores into the room and resulting in winter allergies and asthma attacks. Because of the Christmas tree decoration after two weeks, the indoor air quality decreased six-fold.
Experts categorize the different types of molds according to how they affect people and other living things, such as:
Allergenic Molds:
This type is one of the least dangerous ones, and children are more likely to get these allergies. They increase the asthma signs and cause problems in people with a predisposed allergy to the specific mold.
Pathogenic Molds:
These types of molds can cause infections and are very dangerous if you have a weak immune system. People exposed to them develop an acute response similar to bacterial pneumonia.
Toxigenic Molds:
These molds create mycotoxins which can cause serious health issues, such as immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals they contain are absorbed immediately as they are inhaled, touched, or ingested.
Dr. Mercola states that these are the 5 most common indoor molds:
- Aspergillus: Which is a resident of house dust, and can be usually located in warm, extremely damp climates. It generates mycotoxins and causes lung infections.
- Penicillium: You can usually notice it on the carpet, wallpapers, decaying fabrics, and fiberglass duct insulation, and causes asthma and allergies.
- Cladosporium: This common outdoor fungus grows on wood, textiles, and other damp, porous materials, and leads to asthma-like symptoms and fever.
- Stachybotrys: This is a very toxic “black mold” that produces mycotoxins which result in different health conditions, like serious breathing difficulties and bleeding of the lungs. It is usually found on paper and wood, and not on tiles, linoleum, or concrete.
- Alternaria: This type is usually found in the mouth, nose, and upper respiratory tract, and can lead to allergic responses.
Mold illness is a collection of many health conditions due to 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 represents another serious health issue since they consider it as a Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
According to 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 most commons symptoms of mold illness:
- Eye problems such as 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 like coughs
- Shortness of Breath
- Digestive Issues including diarrhea, nausea, appetite loss,
- Abdominal Pain
Source: healthyfoodhouse.com
