What you should know about mould in your home

Mould growth contained in indoor environment can result in deterioration of human health because of the increased concentration of spores and toxins. Yet, many people are still ignorant of its dangers and are living in mould affected dwellings. When these organism are allowed to grow in a closed indoor environment, they can release millions of spores, causing indoor levels to reach concentrations that are hundreds of times higher that outdoor. One may think that your roof needs to leak or house needs to be flooded first to be affected by mould. Mould can be anywhere so it is critical to look and monitor, prevent it and eliminate it from your surroundings and from inside your body.

So it is import to ventilate the house or an office, investigate and address any bathrooms leaks or flush flooding areas. Even if mould growth is hidden deep inside a wall, the elevated levels of mould spores, fungal fragments and mycotoxins can still be present in the indoor air and thus inhaled. This can potentially cause adverse health risk even in healthy people.

Fungi attack living organism, penetrate their outer defenses, invades them and obtain nourishment from living cell, causing disease and sometimes the death of host.

 How do I know if I have mould in the house?

Even if you do not see any mould growth, but you can smell that musty smell, it means no-visible active mould is present in the structure and that there is enough moisture to support its growth. You must locate the source of moisture, eliminate it and remove contaminated building material. I would like to point out that any serious mold   contamination must be undertaken by a licensed mould removal companies

There is a cycle to mould life,  when molds are drying out, this is when they emit  most spores, even if mold dead it release  millions of spores and other toxins So mould at any stage is a  health risk.

 How mould get into human host?

 There are a least two types of toxins, mycotoxins and spores. Some are water-soluble while other present in the dust. Mycotoxins are inhaled and get into the bloodstream and then begin to kill cells. Fungal spores are inhaled and get into the lungs and sinus cavities and do systematic damage there.

 What are the symptoms of mould exposure?

Indoor airborne mould exposure has been associated with adverse human health in multiple body organs, body systems, including respiratory, nervous, immune, blood and skin conditions. Research indicates that exposure to high level of indoor mould can cause injury and dysfunction of multiple organs and systems. In  2003 study Dr Liberman examined 48 heavily mold –exposed patients who had the following health problems: severe  muscle and joint pain, fatigue, gastro-intestinal problems, cognitive problems, shortness of breath, anxiety/ depression/ irritability, vision problems, chest tightness, insomnia, dizziness, numbness /tingling , laryngitis, nausea, skin rashes, tremors, heart palpitations, memory loss. From  my  own experience I treating mound affected patients I would  like  to add  to that list: mold growing on the tongue and  skin , pneumonia and  allergies. The combined effects of mould on the human body is called  Chronic Inflammatory Respose Syndrome (CIRS).

 

 

In the next blog I will elaborate more about other detrimental aspects of mould, how to avoid it and eliminate it from your surroundings and your body organs.

If you would like to know more how natural medicine can help you, please contact Danuta Hulajko  on 02 4854 0205

Danuta Hulajko is  a holistic practitioner, international speaker,  the founder  and the practitioner at the DH Natural Medicine Clinic and  www.healingremedies.com.au , Southern Highlands. She specialises in anti-aging, autoimmunity, thyroid conditions, digestive disorders and heavy metals chelation. For more information please go to our website. You can follow Danuta Hulajko work, events, seminars, expos, latest health research, her health tips and advice on Facebook  and LinkedIn