Mould: The 21st Century Catastrophe

Fungi can grow on almost any surface, especially if the environment is warm and wet. Inner wall materials of buildings, wallpaper, fibre glass, insulation, and ceiling tiles all good surfaces for fungi to colonise. 

What is the issue with fungi? 

These fungi then release mycotoxins into the environment causing symptoms of many different chronic diseases.

Mycotoxins are some of the most prevalent toxins in the environment. Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi like mold, which can infest buildings, vehicles, and foodstuffs. Most mycotoxin exposures are through food ingestion or airborne exposure. 

In the European Union, 20% of all grains harvested have been found to be contaminated with mycotoxins. Unfortunately, mycotoxins are resistant to heat and many processing procedures. They are found in many foods that we store in our fridges beyond the expiry date: cheese, bread, yogurt, fruits and veg. 

Do you have mould? 

Mould can also commonly be found around sinks, in the bathroom, under wet carpet. Check your home: do you have any black mold?

Awareness of toxic mold’s effect on human health has increased dramatically over the past few years. The symptoms caused by fungus are subtle and complex.

What we often refer to as “mould illness” or “mould toxicity” is a comprehensive and multifaceted syndrome known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome or CIRS.

It creeps up slowly and affects various systems and organs in our body.

Patients with CIRS present with a wide range of symptoms, including:

· Fatigue and weakness

· Post-exertional malaise

· Memory problems: foggy brain, lack of focus, indecisiveness 

· Disorientation and confusion

· Headaches

· Vertigo and light-headedness

· Muscle aches, cramping, and joint pains without inflammatory arthritis

· Hypersensitivity to bright light, blurred vision, burning or red eyes, and tearing

· Cough, asthma-like illness, shortness of breath, and chronic sinus congestion

· Air hunger or unusual shortness of breath at rest

· Chronic abdominal problems including nausea, cramping, and secretory diarrhoea

The symptoms are diverse and non-specific which make the diagnosis difficult, causing many of our patients to suffer in silence or being give a psychosomatic diagnosis. 

Can mould toxicity be proven and treated? 

Diagnosing CIRS can be difficult especially given the fact that many doctors aren’t aware of the condition or actively looking for it in their patients.

The diagnostic process includes:

1. History, signs, and symptoms consistent with biotoxin exposure. In cases of mold toxicity, history should include exposure to toxin-producing moulds. 

2. A genetic predisposition to biotoxin-related illness based on identification of an HLA-susceptible haplotype.

3. Biomarkers consistent with the neuroimmune, vascular, and endocrine abnormalities that characterize CIRS. 

There are sensitive immunological tests, that along with a clinical assessment can provide useful information. 

Would you like to find out more about the Lantern Clinic? You can book a FREE discovery call with Dr Margarita below.