Mold Illness Symptoms

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Listed below are some of the more common Mold disease symptoms:

 

 

• Chronic headaches

• Depression

• Numbness, tingling, shooting pains

• Nose bleeds

• Persistent fatigue

• Breathing disorders (asthma, shortness of breath)

• Coughing up blood or black looking debris

• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Hair loss

• Skin rashes and open sores

• Short term memory loss

• Neurological & nervous disorders

• Sexual dysfunction

• Swollen glands in neck/armpit

• Ear infections

• Chronic sinus infections

• Frequent urination

• Joint and muscle pain

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These symptoms can often be misdiagnosed for a long period of time as they mimic or overlap with other conditions. It is not uncommon that our Lyme patients are concurrently affected by mold and vice versa.

The diagnosis of Mold Illness is commonly missed by most physicians. It can be incorrectly labeled as one of many illnesses. The following is a small representation of these misdiagnoses: 

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• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Depression

• Fibromyalgia

• Lupus

• Asthma

• Emphysema

• COPD

• Chronic Bronchitis

• Chronic Sinusitis

• Chronic Ear Infections

• Arthritis

• Sexual Dysfunction "ED" and Prostate Associated Disease

• Neurological and Nervous Disorders     

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Symptoms from mold exposure develop over time from cumulative exposure. Individuals may remain symptom free until an unrelated stress, either physical or emotional, may trigger rapid development of symptoms. Alternatively, the person may simply develop symptoms progressively from long-term exposure.

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"Residential dampness and mold are associated with substantial and statistically significant increases in both respiratory infections and bronchitis. If these associations were confirmed as causal, effective control of dampness and mold in buildings would prevent a substantial proportion of respiratory infections." “Association of residential dampness and mold with respiratory tract infections and bronchitis: a meta-analysis.” Fisk et al. Environmental Health 2010, 9:72

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Individuals exposed to toxic mold may become ill from one or more of the following reactions:

• Hypersensitivity/Allergic response to the mold spores and other substances in the environment. These responses are typically histamine mediated allergic reactions that may require antihistamines and possibly allergy immunotherapy for desensitization.

• Infectious response Inhaled mold spores can seed and begin growing in the nasal and respiratory passages especially in individuals that may be immunocompromised. Appropriate cultures to identify the infection and treatment with antifungal medications/herbs are highly effective.

• Toxicity/Inflammatory response This category is perhaps the most dangerous due to its increasing incidence. Also known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome or Sick Building Syndrome, the illness that results from exposure to the toxins from mold and bacteria as well as the numerous chemicals found in water damaged buildings is quickly becoming an epidemic. These toxins trigger massive inflammation which over time begins to compromise the endocrine and immune systems.