Mold
Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on damp and decaying organic matter. There are many different kinds of species of mold that have a variety of colours. They can be found in all climates, inside and outside of the home.
Because mold reproduce by releasing tiny spores into the air, no space is entirely free of mold, making exposure unavoidable.
Cause
Excess moisture is generally the cause of indoor mold growth. Outside of the home mold survives by using plants and decaying matter such as falling leaves as a source of nutrition.
Symptoms
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, depending on whether the person affected is sensitive to molds, has allergies caused or able to be made worse by mold, or those with asthma.
- Mild Reaction
- Stuffy Nose
- Wheezing
- Red or itchy eyes, or skin
- Severe Reaction
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Toxic Mold
Mold itself is not toxic, however some mold produce mycotoxins, which can harm health and cause symptoms.
Molds that produce mycotoxin grow on foodstuffs before or after harvest, etc. Most myctoxins are chemically stable and survive food processing.
Symptoms
The effects of some food-borne mycotoxins are symptoms of severe illness appearing quicly after consumption of contaminated food. Other mycotoxins occuring in food have been linked to health concerns such as the cancers and immune deficiency.
Role in Brainfog
Many people in the community have reported the cause of their brainfog as mold. Brainfog is a known symptom of mold exposure.
