Mold exposure, until recent history, has been an underestimated contributor to a range of health issues and symptoms. The more obvious issues related to mold exposure, as identified by the CDC  involve respiratory symptoms and infections, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, new or worsening asthma, and eczema. However, more recent and emerging research has identified a much broader scope of multi systemic health effects and immune responses from mold that can range from mild to debilitating. Treating mold related illness is integral to regaining health.

Possible symptoms of mold (toxicity) and mycotoxin exposure:

• Cognitive issues | brain fog | memory issues
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) | myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)
• Joint | muscle pain | weakness
• Weight gain
• Anxiety | depression | mood swings
• GI Issues
• Headache | sinus pain | ice pick pain
• Respiratory issues | cough
• Sweats | night sweats | temperature regulation 
• Numbness | tingling
• Vertigo | dizziness
• Increased sensitivity | light sensitivity 
• Eczema | rashes | sensitive skin
• Red eyes | blurred vision

Mold toxicity has differing symptoms than a mold allergy, or infection and is not caused by the actual mold spore, but the mycotoxins the mold creates. Other factors effecting variability of symptoms is individual and genetic susceptibility, immune function, and medical history which can cause drastically different manifestations and symptoms depending on the person. It’s why only one or two people in the home are sick when three or four had the same exposure.

Different molds will also affect the health outcome.  Here are the three different categories of mold:

Allergenic Molds: Are molds that cause more allergy (respiratory and sinus) related symptoms. People allergic to one mold are not necessarily allergic to another. There are hundreds of types of molds, but not all of them are responsible for causing allergy symptoms. The most common allergy-causing molds include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium. Allergenic molds may also be pathogenic and/or toxic. 

Pathogenic Molds are molds that can cause infection mostly in patients with immune dysfunction/suppression. Aspergillus is an example of a mold that is allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic. Mold infections can affect blood vessels, deep tissues or organs. Other pathogenic molds include Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Toxigenic Molds are toxic to everyone. It’s not necessarily the mold that is the toxin. It is the mycotoxins or chemicals that are released from the mold during the metabolic process that molds use to get nutrients that are causing health issues. These are more immune mediated, systemic, and neurological symptoms. Mycotoxins are toxins and cause similar health problems as other toxins like heavy metals or pesticides. 

Over 200 different mycotoxins have been identified. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies mycotoxins that present a concern to human health and livestock include aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearalenone and nivalenol/deoxynivalenol. Some of the more common toxigenic molds are fusarium, penicillium, aspergillus, stachybotrys chartarum: Commonly known as “black mold”.

Mold Exposure Treatment – Mold Toxicity Protocol

The approach to healing from mold toxicity should be as personalized as the factors contributing to the health effects, which is why Invigorate Asheville’s mold treatment protocols are specific to your exposure. 

The first and most important part of the treatment is to identify and either remediate or remove yourself from the mold impacted area. The Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness has some resource guides for testing and remediation.

How to Test for Mold Toxicity

Once you are removed from the source, Dr.Dula will guide you through the appropriate protocol for you. This starts with a consult with Dr. Dula where she will order a mycotoxin blood test to identify which mycotoxins are effecting you. This will be done through MyMycolab blood serum test to identify mycotoxin antibodies. Results take 1+ weeks. 

Treating Mold Toxicity

Once the results are back, Dr.Dula will assess the labs and give a protocol that is right for you. Mold toxicity protocols are a combination of Phosphatidylcholine IV therapy, prescription anti-fungals, supplements, and diet/lifestyle changes to support healing. Typical treatments last 3-6 months and are followed up with another mycotoxin test to assess progress.

If you think mold is impacting your health, don’t wait! Call today for an appointment, or book a 15 minute consultation with Dr. Dula for FREE!