Can mold be making you sick?

Millions of people are suffering with symptoms that can mimic other diseases such as Lyme, MS, IBD to name a few when in fact the underlying cause may be due to mold sickness. It has been estimated that 21% of current asthma cases in the US are attributable to dampness and mold (4.6 million of 21.8 million).

Mold due to water damaged buildings is the cause of chronic health issues, that in some immunocompromised patients can be devastating. It can attack all parts of your body and is often confused with chronic respiratory infections. Trying to pursue treatment options is often a daunting task as most medical providers have no idea what this is and offer no support in treatment. In fact, most mold sick patients are gaslit into thinking they are making up these symptoms.

Water damage buildings are everywhere and can affect older buildings as well as newer        structures. Lack of proper maintenance as well as no proper water remediation can lead to severe health issues. In newer homes, taking shortcuts in insulation and not considering water damage in the new construction process can also cause a myriad of health issues.

The name of the collective symptoms of mold related issues is called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).

Understanding CIRS

CIRS is a condition that results from chronic exposure to biotoxins, which can include mold toxins, bacterial components, and other environmental contaminants.  They syndrome can manifest in a wide range of symptoms, affecting multiple systems in the body.

Common symptoms associated with CIRS include:

1.Fatigue

2. Cognitive difficulties (brain fog, memory issues)

3.Respiratory problems

4.Joint Pain

5. Headaches

6. Digestive Issues

7.Mood disturbances

The Link Between CIRS and Mold Exposure

Mold is a ubiquitous environmental toxin found in damp and water damaged buildings. When an individual is exposed to mold, they may inhale mycotoxins produced by certain mold species, triggering an inflammatory response in susceptible individuals.  

Diagnosing CIRS

The biggest challenge with diagnosing CIRS is finding a physician who knows what it is and how to treat it. It requires a combination of clinical evaluation, symptom assessment, and laboratory testing. Testing can involve specific blood markers, nasal swab and or urine testing.

Treatment Approaches

Treating and healing CIRS takes time. There is not a quick fix. Each patient should be evaluated and treated as needed considering their immune system and in some cases genetics. Finding out the cause of the mold exposure is paramount. A patient should not begin treatment is they are being exposed to mold. Finding the source of exposure can take time.  This process may involve remediation of mold in your home or workplace.

Nutritional support focusing on a nutrient dense diet, and stress management play a huge role in improving mold toxicity. Detoxification using is some cases binders such as cholestyramine, charcoal and bentonite clay may be used. These support the body’s elimination pathway to get rid of the mycotoxins.

Conclusion

The relationship between CIRS and mold exposures illustrates the need to address environmental factors that play into managing chronic health conditions. As more research is available, more doctors should be better equipped to diagnose and treat CIRS.

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