Do you have symptoms of mold exposure?

When people hear of mold illness they might think of respiratory symptoms such as a sore, itchy throat; post nasal drip; sinus congestion or headache. And it is a common belief that you must see large pockets of black mold to be concerned about exposure. That is only a small part of the big picture.

There are MANY symptoms of mold illness that you would never expect. These include:

  • Brain fog

  • Dizziness

  • Panic attacks/anxiety

  • Heart palpitations

  • Ataxia/lack of coordination

  • Food reactions

  • Frequent urination

  • Weight gain

  • Hormonal imbalance

  • Night sweats

  • Joint pain

  • Profound fatigue

  • Vision issues

  • GI problems including diarrhea, reflux or pain

  • Rash or eczema

  • Metallic taste/smell

  • Hair loss

  • Neurological issues that may mimic MS, ALS, Alzheimer’s

Of all the clients I have met with, and in my own experience, the fatigue and neurological symptoms are the most frequent and troubling effects of mold exposure. When you experience any of these, let alone in combination, it is scary and discombobulating. This reaction may provoke a vagus nerve response (what I sometimes refer to as a “wave of fear”) that intensifies your symptoms even more.

CELLULAR SHUTDOWN: Mold exposure may lead to the Cell Danger Response, where your body’s cellular activity slows or shuts down entirely to focus on protection. In other words, all soldiers are guarding the door from toxins instead of doing necessary daily chores (cellular clean up, energy production) needed to function.

PROFOUND FATIGUE: So no wonder why you feel exhausted. A common complaint from mold sufferers is that “my battery feels like it is at 10%.” (I said I felt like I had a “wasting disease” with mold illness…turns out that is exactly what it was.) The scary thing is that there are millions of people worldwide dealing with this exact scenario yet are unaware that mold illness applies to them. Traditional doctors are not educated about mold and will almost never bring it up at an appointment, so the onus is on you to help yourself heal. (How do I know this about doctors? About a quarter of my clients are doctors.)

DO YOU NEED VISIBLE MOLD TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS? Absolutely not. Any sort of previous water damage, i.e. roof leaks, broken pipes, flooding, etc.  is a red flag. But it can also be hidden in the walls, ceilings or floors, or in some cases spewing out of your air conditioner. Beyond black mold, it can appear as green or white dust, or not be seen at all.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU SORT THIS OUT? I offer free, 20-minute consultations to start. At a longer appointment, we can discuss steps to take to determine if your symptoms are mold related. This may include referrals for home testing, inspections or remediation, or mold blood or urine labs available through Fullscript.

The process of addressing mold can be overwhelming, especially when you are not feeling well.. I am here to help you with reliable resources and recommendations, so you do not have to go it alone like I did. Read more about my mold coaching services here.