If you or a loved one have been struggling with unexplained health issues like fatigue, brain fog, persistent sinus problems, or behavioral changes in children, mold exposure could be a hidden culprit that many doctors miss.
At Foundations Wellness Care, our practitioner team recently spent the day learning about the latest in testing and treatment for suspected mold and mycotoxin illness. We have seen the incidence of these illnesses skyrocketing in recent years, leaving families searching for answers when conventional medicine falls short.
Recognizing Mold Illness Symptoms: Not Everyone Has Every Symptom
Mold illness symptoms can vary widely from person to person, which often contributes to misdiagnosis. Here’s what we commonly see in our practice:
Symptoms in Children
Children’s developing bodies can be particularly sensitive to mold exposure. Watch for:
- Skin issues: Persistent eczema (mold-related eczema in kids is increasingly common), unexplained rashes
- Behavioral changes: OCD tendencies, irritability, sudden separation anxiety in older children and teens, withdrawal from friends and activities
- Sleep disturbances: Poor sleep, difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Cognitive impacts: Fatigue, reduction in school performance, trouble concentrating
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, migraines, nausea, sometimes vomiting
- Respiratory problems: Sinus and lung issues, odd coughing patterns
- Nervous system effects: POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Symptoms in Adults
Adults often experience many of the same symptoms as children, plus additional issues:
- Cognitive difficulties: Severe brain fog (mold exposure and brain fog are closely linked), memory issues, trouble finding words
- Swallowing problems: Difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
- Overwhelming fatigue: Chronic fatigue and mold exposure are frequently connected – exhaustion that rest doesn’t relieve
- Sensory disturbances: Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Musculoskeletal issues: Joint pain, muscle weakness, cramping
- Skin manifestations: Adult acne, unusual rashes
- Urinary tract symptoms: Interstitial cystitis, prostatitis
- Digestive distress: Intense stomach issues, gas, bloating, pain, IBS symptoms, heartburn, nausea, sometimes vomiting
- Poor immunity: getting every cold and flu that comes around, getting sicker than most, and staying sick longer
- Hormonal imbalances: Thyroid issues, reproductive hormone disruptions
- Metabolic changes: Weight gain even when not eating more (the connection between mold exposure and weight gain is well-documented)
The Ice Dam Connection: A Hidden Source of Household Mold
We spent part of our education day interviewing and chatting with a top mold expert and industrial hygienist in our area. She taught us many things about sources of mold exposure in the home. The list is too long for this blog, but one of the most eye-opening things we learned was about ice sheeting and ice dams in winter. This creates a perfect storm for mold growth that many homeowners never suspect.
Here’s how it happens: When warm air from inside your house melts snow on the roof, that water runs down to the colder roof edge and refreezes. This forms an ice dam that traps water underneath, leading to leaks into the attic or roof structure itself – creating the perfect environment for mold growth.
Signs of Mold from Ice Dams
Looking for signs of mold in the attic is crucial, particularly after winter months:
- Visible mold growth in the attic, especially near the roofline
- Dark staining on ceilings
- Persistent musty odors throughout the home
- Respiratory symptoms that worsen when you’re at home
Mold from ice dams can spread through your home’s ventilation system, affecting your family’s health even when it’s not visible in living spaces.
How to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home
Preventing Ice Dams and Roof Leaks
- Insulation: Make sure your attic has adequate insulation to prevent excessive heat loss and minimize temperature differences between the interior and exterior of the roof
- Ventilation: Proper attic ventilation allows moisture to escape, preventing condensation buildup
- Gutter maintenance: Regular cleaning helps with proper water drainage and prevents ice dam formation
- Inspection: Carefully check for signs of moisture damage, water stains, and mold growth in the attic, especially near the roofline
- Professional help: If mold is present, contact a professional mold remediation company for proper cleaning and removal
Additional Prevention Steps
- Control indoor humidity levels (keep below 60%, ideally 30-50%)
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas
- Fix leaky pipes, roofs, and windows immediately
- Clean and dry water-damaged areas within 24-48 hours
- Consider dehumidifiers in basement areas
Our Holistic Approach to Mold Illness Recovery
If you suspect mold may be affecting your health or the health of a loved one, we want you to know that recovery is possible. Our approach goes far beyond just taking care of home mold exposures.
We are all members of ISEAI (International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness) and have had extensive training on how to help children and adults recover from mold-related health issues. Our holistic mold treatment approach includes:
- Detailed health history and symptom analysis to identify potential mold exposure patterns
- Appropriate testing to detect mycotoxins and evaluate immune system responses
- Personalized detoxification protocols to safely remove mold toxins from the body
- Microbiome balancing to restore gut health, which is crucial for immune function
- Targeted nutritional support to reduce inflammation and address deficiencies
- Guidance on environmental remediation to eliminate ongoing exposures
You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence
With over 8 years of experience and success, we have the knowledge and tools to help you when you’re not getting answers from the many doctors you have seen. When conventional medicine has failed to provide solutions, our refined processes have helped countless families regain their health and vitality.
If you’re experiencing unexplained health issues that could be related to mold exposure, give us a call. We can help you get your life back and build a foundation for lasting wellness.