Can Mold Cause Stomach Problems

If You Have Sibo Or Ibs Mold Exposure Might Make Things Worse

The gastrointestinal tract serves as the primary interface between ingested mycotoxins and the rest of the body.

that mycotoxins and the gut microbiota engage in bidirectional crosstalk that ultimately influences the structure, function, and health of the gastrointestinal tract.

They have learned that while a healthy gut microbiota can bind and metabolize some ingested mycotoxins, mycotoxins can also alter the microbiota and reduce its natural detoxification capacity. This means that patients with pre-existing gut issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO may be more severely impacted by mycotoxin exposure than people with a healthy gut microbiota, due to changes in their gut bacteria that reduce their capacity to process mycotoxins.

Eye Issues Related To Mold

Many types of mold can cause eye problems, including chaetomium, aspergillus, stachybotrys chartarum and phialophora. Just click on the name of the mold to learn more about that particular type of mold.

Exposure to mold can cause respiratory symptoms and symptoms of an allergic reaction, which include things like itchy eyes, redness of the eyes, and watery eyes. However, more serious issues can occur, including a number of eye infections.

Conjunctivitis, sometimes called pink eye because it causes a red or pink coloring of the eye, is a fairly common eye infection. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses as well as mold or other allergens or irritants. Symptoms include itchy, gritty-feeling eyes, a burning sensation in the eyes, watery eyes, copious discharge from the eyes, and sensitivity to light. According to the American Optometric Association , allergic conjunctivitis is typically treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines. Eye drops containing corticosteroids may also be prescribed

Keratitis is an eye infection commonly caused by mold. It is an infection of the cornea, or the clear tissue that covers the iris and pupil. Keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites as well as mold. It may be more likely to occur in people that wear contact lenses.

It Can Cause Weight Loss And Even Malnutrition

Mycotoxins can damage your intestinal villi. Intestinal villi are small, finger-like projections that extend into the small intestine. They increase the surface area of the intestine and provide more pathways for nutrient absorption. Trichothecenes and ochratoxins degrade intestinal villi. Shortened intestinal villi increase the risk of malnutrition by decreasing surface area available for nutrient absorption.

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol , a member of the trichothecene family, also blocks several nutrient transporters in the GI tract, including the D-glucose/D-galactose sodium-dependent transporter and the D-fructose transporter . Inhibition of these transporters impairs the absorption of carbohydrates and can promote small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , malnutrition, and weight loss.

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Stopping The Symptoms Of Mold

If you suspect that your health is being damaged by the mold, it is essential that you take immediate action to clean up the problem. There are specific steps that should be followed in order to prevent your symptoms of black mold poisoning from getting worse. Some people dont realize how dangerous the situation can be, and they end up harming themselves in the cleanup process because they didnt take the preventative steps that are necessary to avoid increased mold exposure.

When you are cleaning the mold, more spores will become air bound so there is a higher chance for mold inhalation. Additionally, if the mold comes in contact with your skin it can cause more health problems. If you choose to clean up the mold by yourself, be sure that you are wearing protective clothing such as rubber gloves, goggles, and a face mask.

Also, it is necessary to prevent cross contamination by sealing off the affected room. Plastic and tape can be used to prevent the mold spores from spreading throughout the house, and it is also suggested to use a negative air machine during this time to keep the air as clean as possible.

It is usually best to consult with a professional about any mold situation, because there are specific steps that should be taken depending on the area of the home that is affected. Following the proper protocol for mold cleanup will ensure that you have completely removed the mold and also prevent the mold from coming back.

Mold Symptoms: Is Mold Making Me Sick

No one wants to think about mold growing in their home, but since the side effects of mold exposure can be serious, its something you cant ignore. Symptoms are wide ranging, and since mold often grows out of sight, it can be difficult to pinpoint mold as the cause. Check out this symptoms checklist to see if you might have mold growing in your home.

Disclosure: The symptoms listed here are for general informative purposes only. Speak with your doctor for specific medical advice relating to any unexplained symptoms you have.

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Can We Eat Moldy Bread

The most common notion you would have heard about moldy food is to avoid it strictly since eating mold is dangerous, and may cause a variety of problems.

However, what if we told you that it was okay to have some moldy foods? In fact, some foods are processed with mold as an essential ingredient. Blue cheese, for instance, is made from a type of mold that is safe to consume.

Other food and beverage items that include mold as an ingredient are:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Soy sauce
• Stilton cheese

But if you are allergic to molds or have a yeast infection eating such foods may not be good for you.

The extent of mold growth is different in salvageable and non-salvageable foods. Salvageable foods are those through which mold cannot easily penetrate. Such food items are edible after cutting out the mold-infected part.

Such foods include vegetables like cabbage and bell peppers, and other items like hard salami, hard cheese, and dry-cured country ham.

Non-salvageable foods, on the contrary, are foods which have more moisture, and hence are softer and easy to penetrate.

Food items such as bacon, yogurt, grains/pasta, jelly, etc. should be discarded immediately if you see mold growing on them.

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Final Thoughts On Coping With A Mold Illness

Mold is something everyone lives with. Its in your backyard, your house, and even in your food. Most of the mold you come in contact with is harmless and doesnt cause health problems. But sometimes, you can end up with a severe mold allergy that causes symptoms. Keeping your house free from mold is a priority. IF you have a water leak, then fix it immediately. Provide good air ventilation in your house with fans and open windows on dry weather days.

Add lots of air-purifying plants around your home, especially in the rooms where dampness creeps in, like the kitchen or bathroom. Mold is here to stay, so learning to eliminate it or reduce its growth is the best option to combat a mold illness.

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What Are Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds

Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from substances knownas microbial volatile organic compounds . These compounds are producedthrough fungal metabolism and are released directly into the air, often givingoff strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate theeyes and respiratory system and has been linked to symptoms such as headaches,dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. The effects of mVOCs are notcompletely understood and research is still in the early stages.

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Is There A Test To Determine If I Have Been Exposed To Mold

Some physicians have recommended testing for mold-specific antibodies. Thepresence of antibodies only indicates that you have been exposed to a substanceat some time. It does not tell you when you were exposed, where the exposuretook place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to. Having a positive testfor mold-specific antibodies alone is generally considered insufficient toprove that health effects reported by individuals in moisture-damaged buildingsare caused by exposure to mold.

Different Types Of Mold

Allergenic Molds. Allergenic molds are on the low end of the danger scale. They only cause problems for those with asthma and a predisposed allergy to the specific mold. Children are more likely to have mold allergies than adults.

Pathogenic Molds. Pathogenic molds will cause some infection. This is a big problem for those with a suppressed immune system. An acute response resembling bacterial pneumonia is commonly found with those exposed to these types of mold.

Toxigenic Molds. As the name implies, these molds produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health effects. They have been tied to immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals found in these types of molds can be absorbed into the body when one inhales them, eats them, or even touches them.

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For Help With Mold Removal

If mold is making you ill, we recommend arranging for someone else to handle the mold removal process for you because the process would further expose you to mold spores that could make your condition worse. You can schedule a free in-home consultation with an experienced mold removal professional to discuss the work that needs to be done in your home. Even if you decide to handle the work yourself, you can benefit from some expert advice and theres no cost to you. Find a list of qualified mold removal professionals in your area by following the link provided.

What Happens If You Eat Mold

Eating mold may cause a variety of adverse effects in your system. We often think that its okay to eat infected food if we cut out the moldy part.

However, mold has root-like threads that penetrate within the foods and infect the entire substance.

What happens if you eat moldy bread by cutting off the moldy part? It means you are still consuming fungal growth. While there is no need to panic, eating moldy bread or other moldy foods can cause slight discomfort.

If you suffer from mold allergies, it could lead to respiratory diseases and eye irritation. Severe food poisoning, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting are some examples of what happens if you eat mold. You are more prone to these side effects if you have a weak immune system.

You may wonder how does a strong immune system prevent a fungal infection if you accidentally eat moldy bread. Well, it may happen that after consuming molds the acids in your stomach will kill it.

What to do if you eat moldy bread? The first thing on your list should be consulting a doctor. Eating moldy substances may sometimes cause dire consequences.

A poisonous substance called mycotoxins is produced by some varieties of molds. This substance can cause illness in human beings.

Out of all types of mycotoxins, the most dangerous one is aflatoxin which grows on grains and nut crops. Both grains and nut crops are common ingredients of bread.

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Exposure Sources And Prevention

The primary sources of mold exposure are from the indoor air in buildings with substantial mold growth and the ingestion of food with mold growths.

While mold and related microbial agents can be found both inside and outside, specific factors can lead to significantly higher levels of these microbes, creating a potential health hazard. Several notable factors are water damage in buildings, the use of building materials which provide a suitable substrate and source of food to amplify mold growth, relative humidity, and energy-efficient building designs, which can prevent proper circulation of outside air and create a unique ecology in the built environment. A common issue with mold hazards in the household can be the placement of furniture, resulting in a lack of ventilation of the nearby wall. The simplest method of avoiding mold in a home so affected is to move the furniture in question.

Prevention of mold exposure and its ensuing health issues begins with the prevention of mold growth in the first place by avoiding a mold-supporting environment. Extensive flooding and water damage can support extensive mold growth. Following hurricanes, homes with greater flood damage, especially those with more than 3 feet of indoor flooding, demonstrated far higher levels of mold growth compared with homes with little or no flooding.

Nose And Throat Problems

Nasal mold allergy symptoms include a runny nose, swollen sinuses and post-nasal drip. The cumulative effect often causes a painful throat and difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment: OTC antihistamines help control nasal and throat symptoms. A salt water gargle or cold popsicles are good home remedies for sore throats.

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Watery Or Irritated Eyes

When allergens are present, the body releases histamines as part of its immune response. This histamine release is what causes the eyes to water excessively when exposed to toxins from mold.

This reaction from histamine may be the bodys way of flushing out allergens and toxins. It can serve as a warning to you that your environment may contain dangerous black mold.

Can Mold Exposure Cause Diarrhea

4.8/5symptomsmoldsymptomsDiarrhea

Also question is, can mold cause bowel problems?

tract and not respiratory system. Gut related problems from mold toxin exposure are common. The principal route of exposure from breathing mold toxins is via the gut and not the lungs. Subsequently, a common result of elevated mycotoxin exposure is damage to gut microflora.

One may also ask, how long does it take to detox from mold exposure? Some people get well very quickly after removing the source of mold toxins, just by getting into a clean environment and avoiding re-exposure. Others can take over a year to recover fully.

Also question is, what are the symptoms of mold exposure?

If they come into contact with mold, they may experience symptoms, such as:

• a runny or blocked nose.
• watery, red eyes.
• wheezing.

Can mold cause headaches and fatigue?

Symptoms of Mold Exposure. Fatigue and Weakness – On their own, fatigue and weakness aren’t enough to be symptoms of mold exposure. Mold releases spores into the atmosphere that trigger problems in those sensitive to such growths.So maybe you also have recurring infections of the respiratory tract or the sinuses.

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How Do You Get Mold Spores Out Of Your Lungs

What is the treatment? Its almost impossible to avoid all contact with fungal spores, so treatment for mold in your lungs often consists of taking medications. Corticosteroids often help open your airways to make coughing easier. You may need to take them when daily or only when your symptoms flare.

Eye Issues From Household Mold Exposure

You might be surprised to learn that exposure to household mold can cause eye issues, including vision problems, in some people. While most of these issues are not serious and are limited to things like itchy or watery eyes, in some cases serious eye infections can develop and visual impairment can even result.

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How Is Mold Toxicity/cirs Treated

Treating mold toxicity/CIRS can be complicated, but the basic elements involve:

• Evaluating your environments and removing yourself from any mold exposure at home, work, school or in the car. (Any continued exposure will perpetuate the toxicity and prevent healing! This could mean moving out of your home altogether, or at least until the mold has been thoroughly remediated.
• The use of binding agents to escort the toxins out of the body through stool
• Supporting detoxification
• Appropriate treatment for any hormonal imbalances related to the biotoxicity
• Treatment of MARCoNS, which is a type of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria. It frequently colonizes the nasal passages and sinuses of people with mold illness.
• A very low-carbohydrate diet

Of all of the treatment steps outlined above, #1 is the most important. You MUST get out of the affected building and eliminate the exposure. Sadly, many people who feel sick and tired stay home more often, not realizing that their home is the source of their illness. So they become sicker the more they stay home, and its a vicious cycle.

While the home or workplace is being remediated, you cannot be in that space. Also, any belongings form a moldy building can make you sick . Books, papers, furniture and other household items can all be sources of re-exposure and will likely have to be thrown out. Remember, material possessions can be replaced people cannot!