It's raining again here in Sydney... More dampness is upon us... So let's talk about mould!
Specifically... Mould illness... A condition that is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, despite being more common than many people may realise.
Exposure to mould with its mycotoxins and biotoxins can cause a large range of symptoms that can harm one's health and general well-being.
Usually the longer someone is exposed to mould, the longer their list of symptoms.
And often when someone is dealing with mould illness they have already spent a lot of money on various tests, treatments, and products before discovering mould is living with them daily and is the reason for most of their symptoms.
So what are the symptoms of mould illness?
Mould can affect different areas of the body due to the chronic inflammatory response that it causes.
Some of the symptoms may can include:
-Respiratory and sinus issues
-Fatigue
-Headaches
-Neurological issues
-Autoimmune disorders
-Generalised pain
-Depression
-Bloating and gut issues
-Rashes and skin irritations
-Anxiety
-Tooth or mouth pains
-Hair loss
-Swelling and fluid retention
-Weight gain
-Sleep issues
-The feeling something is wrong internally
-Plus much more!
Due to the wide range of symptoms, it can be challenging for medical professionals to diagnose and treat mould illness.
However, natural modalities offers various approaches to help the body recover after mould exposure.
Let's explore some of the ways to help heal the body after mould exposure...
1. THE MOST IMPORTANT!!! - REMOVE THE SOURCE OF EXPOSURE.
The first step is to remove yourself from the source of the mould exposure, whether it's in your home, workplace or other environment.
You may need to get a professional mould cleaner or expert to help you with this and always wear protective gear when cleaning mould.
Preventive measures like dehumidifiers, air purifiers, fresh air and the right cleaning tools are important.
NOTE: Removing the cause of mould has to be done - You can't get better if the source is still harming you everyday and night!
2. Detoxify your body
Mould toxicity can build up in the body and cause inflammation, so it is important to support your body's natural detoxification process.
What does fungus and mould do in nature? Decompose! So let's make sure it's not trying to decompose you!
Detoxing can be achieved firstly through removing the cause then through a healthy whole-food diet, drinking plenty of water, get out in the sun, apple cider vinegar, and incorporating detoxifying herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, and activated charcoal.
My favourite way to detox mould is saunas!
3. Reduce inflammation
Mould toxicity can cause severe inflammation in the body, which can lead to various health issues.
Cutting out inflammatory food guidelines is a must, often avoiding grains especially gluten and avoiding dairy can make a huge difference as well as adding in high amounts of anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients such as turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation.
4. Seek professional support
If you are struggling with mould-related illness, seeking support from a qualified healthcare professional can be beneficial.
You may need help with boosting your immune system, fixing nutrient deficiencies, supporting your gut health, managing stress, getting adequate rest and supporting the above points.
A naturopathic practitioner, functional medicine practitioner, or integrative medicine doctor can help identify through testing and address underlying health issues, support your body's recovery, and provide guidance on natural remedies and lifestyle changes.
Finding someone that specialises in mould specifically is important.
5. Removing the cause - Hire specialist house cleaners to support you with cleaning
When cleaning yourself or employing a cleaning company it’s important to understand that
traditional methods of cleaning only provide a very superficial clean.
In fact, traditional methods of cleaning actually agitate these dust and microscopic particles into the air, affecting our respiratory system even more and simply re-settling somewhere else.
Just because we can’t see these particles doesn’t mean the harmful spores aren’t there.
What’s needed when addressing mould and dust are specialist cleaners who are experienced in the elimination of these toxic substances.
Previously I have used 1800 CLEANER, a premium-quality cleaning company who have mastered their cleaning techniques over the last 35 years and are leaders in the field for removal of both mould and dust.
If the mould is coming from a water leak or environmental dampness then this needs to be looked into professionally too.
It's empowering to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mould illness for yourself, your family and friends and take the steps to protect oneself from exposure to mould to maintain optimal health and well-being.
I hope this post helps those who need it!
Maddy X
Mould/Mold Illness