Mold Illness refers to becoming ill following the exposure to toxic mold. There is growing scientific and medical evidence that mold exposure can be quite serious. Mycotoxins are the toxic elements in mold spores that are released into the air and inhaled. When people become ill from mold, the toxins trigger oxidative stress as well as an inflammatory response in the body referred to as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) These mycotoxins contribute to health problems more than the majority of doctors realize. Mycotoxins may cause mild to severe health problems. Not all people are affected by mycotoxins. It is believed that about 25% of the population have a genetic susceptibility to mold. Individual responses to mold vary based on individual differences in genetics, nutrition, and underlying health status. This explains why in a moldy environment one person may become sick and the others remain symptom free. The extent of illness also depends on the mycotoxin type, duration and magnitude of exposure.

How does Mold Illness occur?

Water Damaged Buildings can become hosts to mold. Molds grow in damp, humid conditions which happens when a building has water leakage or moisture issues doe to lack of ventilation. The same conditions that cause mold to thrive also give rise to bacteria, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOC’s), beta glucans, live or dead spores, fungal fragments, endotoxins, dust mites, cockroaches and other pests. Endotoxins formed in the cell walls of gram negative bacteria can trigger profound inflammatory reactions. The combination of these toxins increase the potential severity of illness. It indiscriminately affects homes, workplaces and schools. New and old buildings are both susceptible. Often new construction is cheaply built with building defects that does not provide adequate ventilation. Tight seals found in new buildings can be problematic when humid indoor air contacts cold walls or windows. The EPA Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation Study of 100 randomly selected US office buildings reported in 2002 that 45% had ongoing water damage problems.

Often mold is hidden from view behind the walls, under the house or in the attic. Mold spores, a byproduct of mold, not being visible to the naked eye are carried through the building and air ducts and attach themselves to porous furnishings such as fabrics, carpet, and furniture. While there are many thousands of mold species beneficial in our environment, some mycotoxins are harmful to our physical health.The mold spores inhaled into the lungs and sinuses trigger an inflammatory response and the mycotoxins can remain in the body for long periods of time. For some, the reactions to mold are immediate and for others the health effects gradually increase over time. A musty smell in a home is a major red flag and should be taken seriously. Symptoms from mold exposure can continue even years after leaving a moldy environment.

What effects does mold have on the body?

Mold enters our body through the skin and through inhalation. Once inhaled, mold can colonize the lungs and sinuses, producing a continuous release of mycotoxins. The sinuses are the most likely place for this to occur. Biofilms, can form around these mold colonies walling them off to treatment and insuring their survival. Fusarium, Penicillium, Tricoderma, Chatomeium, and many species of Aspergillus have been identified in the sinuses of those with chronic sinus inflammation. Aspergillosis has been found to invade the lungs in both animals and humans causing an invasive fungal infection. Mold exposure can also bring about allergies causing cough, runny nose, itchy eyes, asthma, and sneezing. Allergic fungal rhinitis has long been identified as a cause of recurrent sinus infection. A Mayo Clinic study found fungal growth in 97% of patients with chronic sinusitis. (1) Allergic reactions to mold can be both immediate or delayed. Repeated exposures cause non allergic people to become allergic over time. Mycotoxins are a direct cause of oxidative stress which can damage DNA, reduce mitochondria, reduce Glutathione (a protector against toxic overload) plus directly impact the brain, liver and kidney function.

Mycotoxins once inhaled are stored in the fat tissue mainly affecting the neurological and immune system but all systems can be affected. It has been shown in animals that molds have an immunosuppressive effect increasing susceptibility to infectious disease and cancer. Dr. Bredson, MD a world renowned specialist in Alzheimers has found that 1/3 of Alzheimers Disease is Type 3 or “Inhalational Alzheimers” resulting from CIRS or other toxic causes. Other diseases caused by mycotoxins include ADHD, headaches, COPD, Parkinsons, depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, autoimmunity, renal problems and neurocognitive problems including low IQ in children.

According to an article found in, The Scientific World Journal, “Although respiratory symptoms are common from exposure to water-damaged indoor environments, it is important to note that a typical patient presents with multiple symptoms which are often debilitating, including fatigue, neurocognitive symptoms, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, depression, irritability, gastrointestinal problems, tremors, balance disturbance, palpitations, vasculitis, angioedema, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The development of new onset chemical sensitivity is also commonly seen after exposure and can have a severe impact on a person's life"

Scientific World Journal, 2013, Janette Hope, A Review of the Mechanism of Injury and Treatment Approaches for Illness Resulting from Exposure to Water Damaged Buildings, Mold and Mycotoxins.

We believe that mold illness has gone largely undiagnosed in the majority of people and contributes to many of the “mystery illnesses” or is one contributing factor to those who are chronically ill. Our experience is that mold toxicity must be ruled out in chronic illness especially if you have tried many treatment approaches with no success. The following mold questionnaire can give you an idea if you are suffering from mold illness. If you find that you rate high for mold illness, testing your body for mycotoxins or your living, school or work environment using the ERMI test is the place to start. Finding environmental mold can be a challenging and elusive task to undertake but our doctor’s can guide you on the best methods. Molds can also be found in foods such as grains, peanuts and coffee but typically not in the numbers found in water damaged buildings.

For a deeper dive into Mycotoxin illness:

Start by taking the Mold questionnaire.

Mold Questionnaire:

Mold symptoms - 1 point for each

Fatigue

Anxiety

depression

Light sensitivity

Headaches

Blurred vison

Dizziness or vertigo

brain fog or memory problems

Chronic congestion or History of sinus infections

Chronic cough

Abdominal pain

SOB, chest tightness or chest discomfort

Muscle pain or joint pain

Hormone deficiency

Adrenal dysfunction

Nose bleeds

Chemical sensitivity and/or Electrical Sensitivity

Chronic colds, flus, acute infections

Nausea

Inability to multitask

Red eyes

insomnia

Night sweats

Static shocks

Temperature dysregulation. abnormally hot or cold or heat intolerance.

Excessive thirst

Frequent urination

Word retrieval issues

Disorientation

Metallic taste

Tremors

Unusual skin rashes

Confusion

Numbness and or tingling

Morning stiffness

Sudden onset of food intolerances or GI cramping

Sudden onset of asthma, allergies, wheezing or eczema

Weight gain

Symptoms are worse during rainy season

Home or Workplace - add 3 points for each

Is there Visible mold found in dwelling?

Is there a noticeable musty smell?

Is there a history of water damage or flooding?

Are humidity levels above 50%?

Is there condensation on windows?

Add Total points

If your total score equals 10 or higher, consider that toxic mold exposure may be causing your health problems. Consider seeing a doctor who specializes in mold to help confirm your diagnosis.

2. Once you’ve identified that you have symptoms may associated with mold illness, eliminating exposure is the first and most important step towards healing. If you are continuously exposed, most of the treatments will not be effective.

3. Testing your home or environment is the next step. We have found that there is no 100% foolproof approach to testing. Ordering the ERMI or Hertsmi 2 testing at Mycometrics.com is often as good and less expensive as having a mold testing company come in. It is recommended to order the Hertsmi 2 cloth test for each room that is questionable for containing mold.

4. If you are no longer living in the moldy environment, you can skip to mycotoxin testing which will measure the mycotoxins in your body. There are two mycotoxin tests on the market that will test for a combination of toxic molds. See here. (click) GPL and Real Time Labs, Vibrant Labs. It is recommended to stop all moldy foods and beverages high in mycotoxins such as coffee, peanuts, alcohol, and grains 3 days prior to testing.

BEGINNING TREATMENT

AVOIDANCE is the most important approach to start ASAP.

ACTIVATING BILE MOBILIZATION. Mold is filtered from the blood in the liver and concentrates in bile. With a large mold exposure, bile can become thick and even form gallstones. Taking cholagogues increases the flow of bile through the liver and gall bladder aids in the mobilization of mold into the small intestine to be removed by the body. A safe and effective approach to bile mobilization is using bitters before meals to increase bile production as well as a cholagogues.

BINDERS - Binding agents attach to mycotoxins and other chemicals preventing them from being reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation. Binders can be found in foods such as kale, okra, chlorella, flax, chia, rice brain, oat bran and pysillium. Binding agents with an increased ability to bind mycotoxins include: Activated charcoal, Clay, bamboo, Fulvic and Humid acids. These binding agents are used 2-4 times a day and taken on an empty stomach as they will also bind nutrients and medications. We recommend GI detox used 1-2 pills, 1-3 x per day on an empty stomach.

SAUNA and/or EXERCISE will facilitate mold excretion from your cells. All forms of sauna can be used to facilitate sweating. See the Benefits of Sauna here. (click) Far Infrared Sauna is preferred due to its deeper level of penetration and it is easier to tolerate for with heat intolerance. When using sauna start with 5 minutes and build up to 30 minutes. For those who are very sick from mold toxicity who have heat intolerance, sauna can make you worse and other detox forms maybe preferred.

ADVANCED TESTING - Higher levels of mold toxicity may require more testing such as TGFB-1, HLA DQB typing, VEGF, Liver enzymes and CBC, OAT testing and Neuroquant brain imaging,

ADVANCED TREATMENT consists of Systemic and Intranasal Antifungals for Mold colonization and biofilms. Organ support for adrenals and hormones as well as greater detoxification for liver, gallbladder, and lymph.

TRAUMA - Mold illness, Tick Borne Illness and MCAS can cause Trauma, Vagus nerve dysfunction and Limbic System Dysfunction. The subconcious becomes programmed that the "world is not a safe place and the body becomes locked in a continous “fight or flight cycle”. I recommend Somatic Experiencing or a home-study program called, “Dynamic Neural Retraining System”. This requires on-going brain retraining assists the brain to rewire the limbic system allowing the body to recover a state of balance, ease and relaxation needed to turn on the healing mechanism. The person learns once more to trust in the world around them.

Caution: Mold Illness symptoms overlap with Tick borne illness and Mast Cell Activation and therefore can be hard to diagnose. Working with a practitioner who knows the difference between these disorders and how to treat becomes very important when you are chronically ill.