Could it be Mold Illness?
At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating Mold Illness, a condition often missed by conventional medicine.
We are seeing more and more patients who are grappling with persistent and perplexing health issues that conventional medicine has struggled to diagnose or treat effectively.
Mold Illness arises from prolonged exposure to toxic mold spores commonly found in water-damaged buildings.
Symptoms can be diverse and multifaceted (see below), often mimicking other chronic conditions, and include chronic fatigue, headaches, and neurological issues.
We have extensive experience diagnosing and treating mold illness.
As experienced mold doctors, we provide a comprehensive treatment approach to those suffering from Mold Illness.
Dr. Minkoff Explains Mold Illness
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Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure
- Respiratory Issues: Persistent coughing, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, sinusitis, and difficulty breathing.
- Allergic Reactions: Symptoms similar to hay fever, such as itchy eyes, nose, or skin, and watery eyes.
- Headaches and Migraines: Frequent headaches that might worsen in mold-infested areas.
- Fatigue and Weakness: Chronic fatigue that persists even with rest.
- Skin Irritation: Rashes or hives, especially in direct contact with mold spores.
- Cognitive and Neurological Symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, dizziness, and a feeling of “brain fog.”
- Joint Pain and Inflammation: Unexplained muscle cramps, joint pain, and persistent inflammation.
- Immune System Responses: Increased susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system.
Additional Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
- Respiratory Issues: Wheezing, shortness of breath & fluid in the lungs.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Neurological Issues: Seizures, tremors, numbness & tingling.
- Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
- Bleeding Lungs and Nosebleeds
- Nausea and Vomiting: Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
- Immune System & Blood Disorders
Diagnosing Mold Illness
At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we have considerable experience dealing with the issue of mold toxicity in patients.
Patients complaining of fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, headaches, and more will have a functional evaluation to help establish if mold is present in the body, which could be causing a mold illness.
A urine test may also be ordered, and lab markers on blood work are often used to diagnose a mold illness.
Treatment for Mold Illness
Each patient is treated slightly differently depending on their health condition, degree of toxicity, symptoms, and which organs or systems are being affected.
Treatment may involve several powerful, natural therapies, such as:
Mold Disease Treatment Testimonials
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See a Mold Illness Doctor Today!
For almost 30 years, we have been successfully treating and healing all chronic mold illness issues naturally so patients can return to living.
Contact us to discover how our powerful, all-natural approach can change your life.
FREE 5-Part Email Series on Mold!
Receive this FREE 5-part email series on mold illness.
Learn if you might have mold illness, and what you can do to recover from it and regain your health and well-being.
Mold Illness is Often Misdiagnosed
It’s not that doctors are oblivious to the dangers of mold; it’s the fact that they’re simply not looking for it.
With such a wide range of odd symptoms, mold illness is often misattributed to other conditions like allergies, depression, or fibromyalgia.
Treating mold illness symptoms with medicine made for other conditions does nothing to rid your body of the illness and can cause more harm.
Undetected mold will continue growing & spread while your condition worsens.
Dr. Minkoff Interviewed About Mold Illness
Dr. Minkoff was interviewed by CBS Tampa Bay.
During the interview he discusses mold, mold illness, and its potential symptoms.
He also talks about how this condition is being missed by many doctors.
See an Experienced Mold Illness Doctor Today!
LifeWorks Wellness Center is considered by many to be one of the nation’s top mold treatment clinics.
For almost 30 years, we have been successfully treating and healing all chronic mold illness issues naturally so patients can return to living.
Contact us to discover how our powerful, all-natural approach can change your life.
Dive Even Deeper into Mold, Its Risks, Detection & Prevention
Dive even deeper to learn more about mold and its effects as well as how to detect it in your environment.
Mold – A Hidden Health Risk
- Hidden Danger – Mold’s inconspicuous presence means people might unknowingly inhale mold spores, leading to allergic reactions, headaches, infections, and respiratory issues.
- Recognizing Symptoms – Persistent health issues like a runny nose, asthma, chronic coughing, or sinus problems resistant to standard treatments may signal mold exposure.
- Individual Responses – Health impacts vary based on mold type, exposure level, overall health, and pre-existing sensitivities, highlighting the need to consider mold in unexplained health conditions.
Mold Can Lead to Chronic Infections
Mayo Clinic Findings – Research in the 90s by the Mayo Clinic suggests that most chronic sinus infections are due to fungi, not bacteria. They found that 96% of chronic sinusitis cases result from the immune response to fungus.
Ineffective Antibiotics – Most sinus infections are treated with antibiotics, which kill bacteria but do not affect fungal spores. Relief from antibiotics may occur as the body clears the fungal infection, but this mistreatment can harm gut bacteria, essential for a healthy immune system.
Mold Lung Infections – Untreated mold lung infections can lead to bronchitis and other respiratory issues. Symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses.
Risks of Long Term Exposure to Mold
Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Can cause chronic conditions like obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic sinusitis.
Severe Allergic Reactions: Can worsen allergies, potentially leading to life-threatening reactions.
Long-Term Neurological Complications: Mold toxins can contribute to neurological issues and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Increased Risk of Infections: For those with weakened immune systems, including the elderly, infants, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
What is Mold?
Mold refers to various fungi known for their ability to reproduce through tiny spores. These spores, too small to be seen with the naked eye, travel through the air and begin to grow upon finding a suitable, moist environment. It’s at this stage that mold becomes visible and potentially problematic.
Reproduction and Visibility: Mold spores thrive in damp conditions, leading to the visible growth of various mold types, each with its own characteristics and potential impacts on health and environments.
Toxin Production: While molds themselves are not inherently toxic, many species, particularly over 200 known types, have the capacity to produce mycotoxins. These toxins can harm health, especially when accumulated in indoor environments.
Types of Mold
Mold thrives in damp, dark environments but can also be found in dry regions. Common indoor molds include:
- Alternaria: Found in the upper respiratory tract, causing itchy eyes, runny nose, and coughing.
- Aspergillus: Found in house dust, produces mycotoxins that can lead to lung infection, common in warm, damp climates.
- Cladosporium: Found outdoors and on indoor wood and textiles, causes hay fever and asthma-like symptoms.
- Penicillium: Found on carpets, fabrics, insulation, and wallpaper, causes symptoms similar to Alternaria.
- Stachybotrys (Black Mold): Found on paper or wood, causes severe respiratory issues and lung bleeding.
Understanding Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
CIRS is a serious condition caused by biotoxins like fungi, mold spores, and VOCs, leading to systemic inflammation and chronic symptoms.
Prevalence and Causes
About 25% of people are at risk of CIRS due to moderate to high biotoxin exposure, influenced by genetic predisposition and exposure extent.
Symptoms of CIRS
- Respiratory Difficulties: Chronic cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing.
- Neurological Impairments: Memory issues, difficulty concentrating, headaches.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness not improved by rest.
- Vision Problems: Light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye irritation.
- Digestive Issues: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, appetite changes.
- Musculoskeletal Pain: Joint and muscle pain.
- Skin Reactions: Rashes, itching, unusual skin sensations.
Detecting Mold
Molds are very common in buildings and homes where they thrive and spread in damp conditions. Indoor mold can often be found in attics, under carpets, behind drywall, in insulation, leather, fabrics, and foods. Any time an area of a building has been exposed to a leak or dampness, it should be thoroughly checked for the presence of mold which presents as fuzzy, musty growths of differing colors.
If you notice bowed buckled floorboards, a new water stain on a wall, discolored carpet, or black or white specks on a surface it is time to investigate. Mold breaks down and destroys any material it grows on which can impinge on the safety of a building.
Mold in the Home or Office
It is estimated that over 25% of buildings in the United States have had some degree of water damage. These leaky roofs, buckling floorboards, and water stains will often be ignored. They may be unsightly to the building’s overall aesthetic, but the many people working or living inside those buildings do not realize that those unsightly water damage spots could be hazardous to their health.
Mold Remediation
Professional mold remediation costs $500 to $6,000, potentially reaching tens of thousands for severe cases. Hiring a professional mold investigator can help identify the mold source.
Mold often hides behind drywall or in crawlspaces, requiring professional cleanup, disinfection, and removal. Professionals use high-filtration vacuums to clear toxic spores after removing damaged areas.
Address mold growth immediately. Small amounts can be removed with mold removal products or a bleach-water solution, wearing gloves, eyewear, and a mask. Never touch mold with bare hands.
After removal, use a high-quality HEPA air filter to thoroughly clean the air.
Preventing Mold
The easiest way to prevent mold is by ensuring the building is moisture-free. This includes:
- repairing leaks in plumbing or other structures and cleaning up thoroughly afterwards
- wiping up condensation on windows and in bathrooms
- avoid carpet in the bathroom and run an extractor fan when showering
- checking air ducts
- removing mats or carpets which may have got damp
- eliminating standing water in drains
- keeping indoor humidity levels to between 30%-50% by running fans, air conditioning, or dehumidifiers
- venting appliances that produce moisture, such as stoves and clothes dryers,
- use mold inhibitors, which can be added to paints
- clean bathroom with mold-killing products
- adding insulation can reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (such as windows, piping, roofs, or floors)
