Dr. Dale Bredesen, an Alzheimer's disease researcher at UCLA and the Buck Center for Aging has found that a significant number of purported dementia cases are actually caused by mold exposure, and not Alzheimer's disease at all.
While there have been no conclusive epidemiological studies linking mold exposure to dementia, there is evidence from case studies to suggest that mold exposure may contribute to cognitive impairment in a subset of susceptible people [2].
Toxic mold exposure has also been linked to more serious, long-term effects like memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, trouble concentrating, and confusion.
Memory Loss
Alzheimer's researcher Dr. Amen found that memory loss from mold is often misdiagnosed as dementia or Alzheimer's. However, it can be reversed by taking the individual out of a moldy environment, unlike memory loss diseases.
Respiratory exposure to any mold, not just the particularly toxic ones like Stachybotrys, may be capable of causing brain inflammation, cognitive deficits, and emotional problems. According to Dr. Bredesen's “Inhalation Alzheimer's” he reported patients who developed Type 3 Alzheimer's after prolonged exposure to mold.
Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions. People who are more susceptible to these symptoms and other serious health effects include those with: weakened immune systems. allergies.
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.
Urine mycotoxin tests are ideal for testing yourself (and your family members) for mycotoxin exposure. They're absolutely painless, totally non-invasive, and incredibly easy to use. With just a small amount of urine, our experts will be able to spot up to 15 different illness-causing mycotoxins.
A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune system's response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
Human exposure to molds, mycotoxins, and water-damaged buildings can cause neurologic and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms.
When the toxins enter your body, via skin or air, the toxic gases cause a disturbance in many organs, including your brain. Often confused as just allergies, or “just being out of it,” mold infections can affect cognitive function, especially in the frontal cortical area.
A brain exposed to toxic indoor mold and mycotoxins is typically not a very happy brain. Research indicates that the spectrum of cognitive impairments caused by mold and mycotoxin exposure are extensive. Many of these mental health conditions are quite prevalent in our society.
Mold toxicity can manifest in different ways in people. It's more commonly linked to physical problems, such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and headaches, but research shows that it can present itself in a psychiatric way, too. This includes brain fog, depression, anxiety, problems concentrating, and insomnia.
No, it is not healthy to sleep in a room with mold and mildew. An interior mold of any kind of exposure is something to worry about and mold inside your bedroom is particularly so, simply as a result of the number of hrs you invest in your bedroom breathing it in while you rest.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
Each person's body is affected by mold toxicity in different ways. Some experience constant migraines and headaches, shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue or even depression. Since symptoms differ from person to person, they may not be quickly associated with mold exposure.
How long does it take for mold to make you sick? That depends on the person and how much mold they've been exposed to. If you're very sensitive to mold, you may experience congestion and a cough as soon as you're exposed. Others may not notice if there's a small amount of mold.
Black mold is a fungus that may cause your immune system to react. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation. It rarely causes serious illness or death but may worsen asthma symptoms.
Consider Purchasing An Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Indoor air quality monitors test for various particles in the air, and you can find options that test for any or all of the following: Chemical Pollutants. Humidity. Carbon Monoxide.
The experts all agreed that ventilation is the key to preventing mould from returning. Sarah said: “Mould is caused by a number of factors, but essentially, it's a mix of excessive moisture, cold temperatures and poor air circulation. So, rooms need to be heated and ventilated.
The only effective way to permanently get rid of mould problems is by reducing the build-up of moisture in your home. This can only be achieved through better ventilation.