Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home, look for various symptoms of mold exposure.
Do Seasonal Allergies Wreak Havoc On Your Body
If so, youre not alone many people experience an increase in their allergy symptoms during allergy season, especially when pollen counts are high. For some, symptoms are mild, with sneezing and stuffiness, while others experience joint, back and neck pain, in addition to breathing difficulties.
In some cases, your symptoms may appear to be related more to the weather, injury or illness rather than specific allergens. However some allergy symptoms, such as non-allergic rhinitis and even joint pain, can be brought on by rapid changes in temperature and humidity that typically accompany the spring season. In the United States, spring often is the highest time for allergies, meaning your seasonal allergies could be the cause of your pain.
Lets take a closer look at how allergies and joint pain may be related.
Is There More Than One Type Of Aspergillosis
There are several types of aspergillosis.
Pulmonary aspergillosis is most likely to develop in people who have chronic lung disorders or damaged lungs. These people are likely to have abnormal spaces in their lungs where the fungus can grow. The fungus can also rarely infect sinuses and ear canals. The mold spores can colonize inside lung cavities that developed as a result of chronic diseases, such tuberculosis, emphysema, or advanced sarcoidosis. The fibers of fungus might form a lump by combining with white blood cells and blood clots. This lump or ball of fungus is called an aspergilloma or mycetoma. In some cases, a fungus ball may be present in other organs of the body.
Invasive aspergillosis, the most severe type, occurs when the infection travels from the lungs into the bloodstream. Other organs, such as the kidneys, liver, skin or brain, may become infected. This is a very serious condition that may result in death if not treated. People with very weakened immune systems are more susceptible to invasive aspergillosis. Other risk factors include a low white blood cell count, long-term use ofcorticosteroids, or hospitalization.
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Removing Mold In Your Home
In optimal conditions, mold can grow in your home within 24-48 hours.
Another high-risk area for being exposed to mold and mycotoxins is your home. The EPA estimates that 60% of all buildings have mold or other air quality hazards. Every room and outdoor space is susceptible to growing harmful strains.
Risk factors for developing mold in your home include:
- High humidity levels 11
- Water damage
- Poor ventilation
In reducing your mold exposure, prevention is key. This is especially true if your home has been hit by a major water event, such as flooding or a hurricane.12 Immediately cleaning up water damage, keeping humidity levels at < 50%, and ensuring proper ventilation are all great ways to prevent mold from growing in your home.
However, there are some exceptional strategies for removing mold from your home if growth has already occurred:
- A product called Homebiotics. Rather than using bleach when removing mold, this spray is a natural way to prevent and eliminate mold.
- Although HEPA air filters are a great way to keep your home free of allergens, having a photocatalytic air purifier goes steps further in removing mold. These air purifiers reduce mold by disinfecting the air .
You Suffer From Muscle And/or Joint Pain After Eating Meals
This could be brief, intermittent pain, or a more sustained inflammatory response.
Solution:Do a food allergy/sensitivity test and stool analysis to look for increased intestinal permeability , do an elimination diet and get tested for nutritional deficiencies, including zinc. A trial off of nightshades may also be effective in a small proportion of individuals.Food is medicine, but eating the wrong types of foods along with nutritional deficiencies can make you sick.
If youre still unsure, it never hurts to see your health care provider and get tested for food allergies. The test may be what you need to finally receive answers for unexplained symptoms and chronic health problems.
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Food Allergies Intolerance And Reactions
If a specific food makes you feel ill, the reaction could be an allergy, an intolerance or some other kind of reaction. Many people label all negative reactions to food as allergies. After all, the end result is the same whether you have an allergy or an intolerance to a certain food: you must avoid the food that triggers your reaction.
However, the reactions inside the body are different, and lead to varying symptoms. The Mayo Clinic reports that the most common food allergy symptoms are:
- Itching and tingling in the mouth
- Dizziness and fainting
- Itchy skin, associates with hives or eczema
- Abdominal discomfort, including diarrhea and vomiting
- Swelling in the mouth, throat or other parts of the body
- Difficulty breathing, including wheezing and nasal congestion
- Anaphylaxis, which is life threatening
As such, you are not likely to experience a food allergy with fever, headache and fatigue. Instead, such symptoms may be signs of intolerances, other underlying disorders, or contaminated food.
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Food Allergies And Joint Pain
Seasonal allergies arent the only type of allergies that can contribute to joint pain. Certain foods can cause your body to have an inflammatory response because of a pre-existing condition, a food sensitivity or allergy. Inflammation is what causes the joints to swell and create pain or discomfort. There are two main culprits for food-related joint pain:
- Arthritis
- Food allergy or sensitivity
If you already have arthritis, then you probably have experienced some amount of joint pain in the past. Although there are many different types, arthritis is basically inflammation that affects your joints, causing pain and stiffness. Some patients with this condition experience increased inflammation after eating certain foods. This is especially true of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, especially in the hands and feet.
Even though arthritis causes your body to be in a constant inflammatory state, its important to be aware of the triggers that can cause bouts of increased inflammation and lead to painful joint symptoms. Some foods known to impact arthritic patients and cause joint pain include:
- Food allergy/sensitivity test
- Elimination diet
- Nutritional deficiency test
Whether it be gluten, dairy or an assortment of other foods, identifying and eliminating these triggers from your diet could help you manage joint pain. An anti-inflammatory menu will also be beneficial to your overall health and well-being.
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Could Your Unexplained Symptoms Actually Be Mold Toxicity
Weve reached a critical point in the field of natural medicine where its not enough to simply eat better and manage stress.
Obviously those lifestyle changes are powerful and important, but sometimes there are much deeper disturbances that have yet to be uncovered.
Most of us can control the types of foods we eat, how much sleep we get and how often we exercise. But what about the factors that are largely out of our control like our environment?
Some practitioners hone in with laser-like focus on a persons individual habits, but fail to consider the external factors that could be THE cause of a persons illness.
In addition to the toxic pesticides, solvents, plastics and industrial pollutants, were facing an epidemic of mold-related illnesses from water-damaged buildings.
But mold has always been around us, so why is all of this happening now?
Well, one of the things thats changed since the 1970s is the widespread use of fungicides in house paints. The problem with putting fungicides in paint is that it breeds the growth of very hearty and highly toxic molds. All it takes is a shoddy construction job like an improperly installed door, window or ventilation system for water to get into nooks and crannies and set the stage for mold to flourish.
Mold Allergy Symptoms Fatigue
Fatigue in itself is not enough to press the alarm button on mold exposure. However, you could claim that you have an allergy to mold if you feel it with other mold allergy symptoms, such as coughing, stuffy or runny nose, headaches, light sensitivity, poor memory, red eyes, itchiness, and dry skin. It becomes an even bigger cause of concern about mold exposure if you recently have experienced flooding or leaks around the house.
Fatigue must also be distinguished from tiredness. It is more prolonged and makes you feel like you need longer rest to recover from it.
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Can Allergies Cause Joint And Muscle Pain
Allergies often manifest a wide range of symptoms. But can allergies really cause muscle and joint pain? Read on and find out…
Allergic reactions are common occurrences in our lives, and in most instances, their effects and severity differ from one person to another depending on the immunity and other underlying factors.
Allergies often manifest a wide range of symptoms, some of which are more obvious while others may not be so apparent.
For instance, rarely do people associate joint pain, muscle aches, and fatigue with allergies.
Allergies Sinuses And How They Can Cause Jaw Pain
As any sufferer knows, allergies can wreak havoc on your body. In addition to the well-known sneezing, sniffling, and red watering eyes, you may experience postnasal drip, coughing, and fatigue.6 Allergies can also clog the sinuses. Because of that, they could be the source of your nagging jaw pain.7
You probably identify sinus problems with nasal pressure. But allergies can cause lower jaw pain as well as the feeling of general pressure, especially if maxillary sinuses are obstructed. Inflamed and swollen sinuses can affect a number of areas of the face and head and result in issues ranging from headaches and earaches to facial tenderness near the eyes and nose that radiates to the jaw.8
Its possible that seasonal allergies could cause jaw pain in other ways, although more research is needed on the subject. Frequent sneezing and coughing force the mouth open which could lead to muscle tension and overuse strain and create issues with the jaw. Similarly, a stuffy nose may make you breathe through your mouth at night. If your jaw is strained open all night, it makes sense that you could wake up with jaw discomfort.9
- Your cheeks may become tender, and the pain may radiate to your jaw and teeth.
- The top of your head may also hurt.
- The pain can be dull to intense.
- It’s usually worse when you lie down and better when you sit or stand upright.
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How Do You Know If You Have Mold Toxicity Or Cirs
The first step is to just CONSIDER that it could be a possibility. If youre not aware that this condition even exists, theres no way youll seek answers and treatment for it.
Mold is a sensitizer, meaning it overexcites the nervous and immune systems, and it makes any other existing health issues worse. CIRS affects multiple body systems and creates a bizarre set of symptoms.
The symptoms of mold illness can vary widely, but here are some of the most common. Please note that the symptoms with a are quite characteristic of mold-related illness:
- Extreme seasonal allergy symptoms or sinus congestion
- Frequent urination
- VIP
- TGF-B-1
Great Plains Laboratory provides a urine mycotoxin test, which tests for toxins from 40 different species of mold.
In addition to the basic labs and urine test, the Visual Contrast Sensitivity Test has been shown to be a reliable screening indicator of biotoxin illness. Biotoxins cause inflammation of the optic nerve, and this inflammation can manifest as changes in visual perception. The VCS test involves looking at different patterns of wavy lines. You can take the VCS test online for free. If you pay a $10 donation, they will provide you with a compete report of your results. As biotoxicity improves, the VCS test score also improves.
How To Manage Symptoms
Although not often discussed, seasonal allergies can lead to body aches and pain in addition to other symptoms like congestion, coughing, and watery eyes. This is due to increased inflammation in the body. Repeatedly coughing and sneezing can trigger even more pain. Read more to learn how to better manage seasonal allergies and help prevent body aches.
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Treatments For Neck Pain
Identifying the correct source of your neck pain is critical to a successful treatment. Proper diagnosis of your neck pain problem starts with a visit to a pain specialist. Your visit will include a complete medical history and a thorough physical examination.
Based on your individual neck problem, your pain specialist may offer a number of treatments:
Treatments for muscle tension in the neck
- Anti-inflammatories
- Trigger point injections with numbing agents and/or steroids
- Botox injections
Gluten And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack connective tissue, including cartilage and the lining of blood vessels. Since it can affect multiple organs and systems in the body, symptoms are widespread and may be unique to each individual. However, fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle and joint pain are common manifestations.
Similar to rheumatoid arthritis, SLE is associated with celiac disease. Likely caused by inflammation and an overactive immune system.
One hospital 5 cases in a period of 4 years. The onset of SLE and celiac disease occurred at the same time with one patient. Celiac disease occurred before SLE with another patient. And SLE occurred before celiac disease with the remaining 3 cases. Only three of the five patients experienced abdominal symptoms. However, all five patients responded favorably to a gluten-free diet.
This study set out to determine the risk of patients with biopsy-confirmed cases of celiac disease developing SLE. They concluded those with celiac disease were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with SLE than the general population. However, since celiac disease only affects 1 2% of the population, the chance of someone with celiac disease developing SLE was relatively low .
Interestingly, there have also been that were falsely diagnosed with SLE and later correctly diagnosed with gluten sensitivity.
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Indoor Mold: 5 Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Have you been wheezing lately, or getting out of breath just taking the stairs? Or maybe you feel like youre constantly battling a headache that just wont go away. Symptoms of mold exposure can be similar to those of infections or other conditions. So diagnosis and treatment takes longer than it should. But take heed. Those exposed to mold can be between 30-50% more likely to develop asthma. They also suffer from other respiratory problems and bronchitis.
Can Allergy Shots Cause Muscle And Joint Pain
Allergy shots can do more bad than good sometimes. The most common problem experienced being joint pains, it can get worse. It all has to do with the way your body reacts to the shots.
Allergy shots can do more bad than good sometimes. The most common problem experienced being joint pains, it can get worse. It all has to do with the way your body reacts to the shots.
Three years ago, Savannah took a course of allergy shots to get rid of her allergic reaction to mold. However, she was tormented by the stabbing pain in her arm for the next few days. After visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . Within the next few months, her wrists and other joints became so weak that she couldnt even play her favorite sports. The doctor has warned her to guard her wrist against injuries in future. She is now taking therapies to strengthen her joints.
The above case is frequently reported by people who start taking immunotherapy or allergy shots. So, is joint and/or muscle pain an allergic reaction to these shots? This is ironic in itself because you take the shots hoping it will help reduce the symptoms of allergy. A lot of people are allergic to furry animals, pollen grains, dust, mold, insect bites, nuts, onions and garlic, corn, dairy and other things.
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Managing Allergies And Preventing Body Aches
Seasonal allergies usually strike during spring, summer, or fall, depending on your specific allergens. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent seasonal allergies and body aches. However, there are things you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Avoid your allergens whenever possible: Plan outdoor activities during times of the day when allergen levels are lower. For example, pollen levels tend to be higher in the mornings than in the evenings.
Wear a mask: If you have to be outdoors for significant periods of time during allergy season, consider wearing a mask to help filter allergens out of the air you breathe.
Watch the forecast: Weather can have a significant impact on seasonal allergies. While rain washes pollen away, pollen levels can spike right after a rainfall. Other allergens, such as mold, thrive in hot, humid weather.
Stay inside on windy days: Wind lifts allergen particles off the ground, making you more likely to breathe them in.
Can A Cold Or Flu Cause Allergies
An allergy is an inflammatory immune response to specific foods or something in the environment, known as an allergen. Colds and flu are caused by viruses or bacteria. Therefore, a cold or flu cannot cause an allergy.
Sometimes, allergies can lead to a sinus infection, which may develop into a fever. Sinus infections are the result of excess mucus and debris getting trapped in the air-filled sinus passages. However, the infection develops due to the bacteria or viruses present rather than the allergens.
Knowing what a person is allergic to can help in treating the allergies. A person can be allergic to several allergens at once. Some of the key steps to reducing allergy symptoms include:
A person with severe allergies may benefit from immunotherapy. This approach involves injecting increasing amounts of allergens in the body to de-sensitize the bodys immune response. A doctor must prescribe these injections.
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