Mold and Toxic Burden
Mold is only one of the many toxins found in water-damaged buildings. Illnesses caused by these toxins or combination of toxins are more complex than many doctors recognize and diagnose. One to the most overlooked factors in treating mold illness is an individual’s toxic burden. Toxic burden is determined by two factors: the levels of toxic chemicals and microorganisms that we are exposed to, and the function of our innate detoxification system.1
If our exposure toxic mold exposure is high, and our detoxification system is compromised, mold overgrowth on and in the body can become a serious condition. Members of a family or people working or living in the same environment may have very different symptoms, or no symptoms at all. Different people may have exposure to one or more of the biotoxins, while also having a genetic predisposition to biotoxin-related illnesses. Some cofactors in toxic burden are due to:
- genetic predisposition
- environmental factors (smog, industrial waste, frequencies)
- chemicals (BPA, phthalates, pesticides)
- heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, etc.)
- biotoxins (mold, bacteria, parasites, viruses)
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs – ingredients in household products, paint, cosmetics, fuels, etc.) that emit gasses, which tend to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside.1
These cofactors result in more complicated symptoms, which make diagnosis more confusing and recover nearly impossible without some major interventions.
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome or CIRS
Mold illness is not just caused by mold. The cause is a more comprehensive and multi-faceted syndrome known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome or CIRS. Most people become ill when exposed to sufficient levels of the biotoxins listed above. The first critical step is to remove yourself from exposure to the biotoxin(s). Once removed from the source of exposure, an individual’s detoxification system will hopefully be able to eliminate them via sweat, lymph system, kidneys and intestines. However, about 25% of the population have genes that decrease or prevent their bodies from being able to recognize and eliminate biotoxins. These are the people that develop CIRS.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients with this condition have not been properly diagnosed or treated by doctors, because the collection of symptoms typically meet the criteria for other syndromes and diseases like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). CIRS patients present with a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue, weakness
- Post-exertional malaise
- Memory problems, difficulties with concentration and executive function
- Disorientation and confusion
- Headaches
- Vertigo, lightheadedness
- Muscle aches, cramping, joint pains without inflammatory arthritis
- Hypersensitivity to bright light, blurred vision, burning or red eyes, tearing
- Cough, asthma-like illness, shortness of breath, chronic sinus congestion
- Air hunger or unusual shortness of breath at rest
- Chronic abdominal problems including nausea, cramping, secretory diarrhea
- A propensity to experience static shocks
A Compromised Immune System (CIRS)
Remember that CIRS is a complex, confusing, frustrating condition that is not well recognized in the medical field. Do not give up! For additional information on recognizing and treating CIRS, please click here.
For additional information, visit https://lahomes.com/volatile-organic-compounds-common-sources/
1 https://chriskresser.com/5-things-you-should-know-about-toxic-mold-illness/
2 https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
