Breaking the Mold about Mold

Not Your Typical Mold

Mold isn’t just what’s growing in the refrigerator on last week’s leftovers. Toxigenic mold can be a tricky, elusive thing – even deadly if not assessed fully. That’s why, as a mold specialist, I’m devoted to raising awareness about the hidden dangers of toxic mold that may be in your workplace or even your home.

How Mold Works

Mold spores are naturally occurring particles that exist in the air – they have always been there, and in small amounts, they are virtually harmless. The problem comes when these mold spores land and thrive in a damp place, becoming fixated to grow. Once they grow, they can be released into the air, harming anyone who breathes it in. What many don’t know is how this can affect you long term.

Mold: Affecting How You Think, Feel, Live

I could list about a hundred symptoms and effects of mold sickness – that’s how intrusive this toxic floating predator can be – but I’ll focus on the most common symptoms that fall under three main areas. Keep in mind that just because you have one of these symptoms does not mean you have mold infection; this illness manifests itself in a collection of symptoms.

  • Neurological
    • When affected by mold toxicity, one can experience things like brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, disorientation, focus and concentration issues, sleep disorders, migraines, and short term memory loss. It’s hard to believe that tiny mold spores can affect such a high functioning organ such as the brain, but it’s possible and it can be devastating.
  • Emotional/Psychological
    • Your psychological and emotional well being can also be affected as a result of this illness – directly and indirectly. Not only can the illness itself cause these symptoms, but one symptom can feed off another one easily. For example, with a sleep disorder that may result from the infection, you may become depressed or undergo some other extreme mood changes. Panic attacks, depression, anxiety and severe mood swings are other exhibitors of mold toxins affecting a person’s personality.
  • Physical
    • Pain. This is a word commonly used in describing how mold toxins can affect you physically. Physical manifestations of such an infection can include joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, weakness, aches, muscle cramps, weight gain, cough, sweats, shortness of breath, allergies and sinus problems, stiffness, rashes, numbness, tremors, temperature regulation problems, autoimmune and inflammatory problems, and many others.

Can’t See It, But You Can Feel It

Everyone is susceptible to mold, and it’s important that we don’t pretend it’s not there just because we can’t see it. Pain is there even if we can’t see it. We should be vigilant in ensuring our homes are environmentally safe as well as our workplaces. This slow, infectious beast can truly hurt you, your family and your coworkers. Pay attention, and get tested with full evaluations.