WebMD Spreads Mold Consciousness

[Guest guest]

The below article, reprinted from WebMD, might seem, to us, to be missing the

point entirely, regarding the " toxic " , non-allergic effects of mold. But, in the

years that I have been following their reporting on asthma and allergy issues,

it is a vast leap forward, in their bringing the issue of mold to the attention

of the general public. WebMD stimulates a huge number of questions from the

patient to the doctor. As the doctor's are asked about mold, as a possible cause

of the patient's suffering, it will generate an interest, on the part of the

doctor, to look into the entire issue of mold, so as to not appear to be

unknowlegeable in the eyes of their patients. Many people, on this board, are

probably thinking: " why doesn't the doctor just 'wake up and smell the mold',

and instantaneously reach the same level of knowledge that we have?' The answer

is: " Because that is not the way that the world works " . The doctor, in our

economic system, is a

businessman/woman, who, like every other person in a business, is motivated by

making money, and not losing customers to his competitors, if his customers

think that his competitor's (other doctors) have more knowledge to use in

making them healthy.

Most doctor's offices that I go to, have the WebMD magazine, which WebMD sends

them for free, for the patients to read, in the waiting room. The magazine

content is very similar to the website content. We need millions of sick people

to say the word " MOLD " to their doctor, not just our small group of

" in-the-know " sufferers.

 

Joe

....................................................................... 

Mold and Allergies: 10 Ways to Reduce Symptoms

By Jeanie Lerche

WebMD Feature provided in collaboration with Healthy Child Healthy World

Reviewed by W. , MD

If you have allergy symptoms year-round -- or if they get worse in damp weather

-- you may be allergic to mold. While people with pollen allergies tend to have

seasonal symptoms, mold allergies can flare all year long. Indoor mold can be a

problem in winter months, because mold will grow in your house where there is

enough moisture -- whether it's on a basement wall, in your crawl space, a damp

carpet, or behind the bathroom tile.

You may not even realize the mold is there -- but if you're sensitive you'll

react with coughing, wheezing, stuffy nose, or irritated eyes.

" Very often, people don't really know what the problem is, " says Martyny,

PhD, an industrial hygienist with National Jewish Health Center in Denver. " They

have an allergic reaction, lots of sinus drainage, lots of upper respiratory

problems, and it doesn't last for just a month or two. This goes on 12 months a

year. It is not a minimal problem -- it can really change your life. "

We’re all exposed to mold spores. Mold is a fungus that breaks down plant or

animal matter, like leaves, wood, dirt, and food. It’s present both indoors

and out. The trouble comes with a mold allergy, when mold spores trigger

reactions like allergic rhinitis or asthma. Molds can also produce volatile

organic compounds (VOCs) -- the musty odor that irritates eyes, nose, and

throat.

Black Mold: Toxic or Not?

What's known as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is a slow-growing mold that

grows only on wood, paper, and cotton. It’s often called " toxic black mold, "

but the mold itself is not poisonous.

" There's no question that the mold spores are very potent, but they are given

off in extremely low levels, " he tells WebMD. " It's really just another mold.

What we see is an allergic reaction or asthma. "  

Black mold has been blamed for serious lung problems in a small number of

infants, but that has not yet been proven. It's not uncommon for people to

develop an allergy to mold -- not just black mold, says Lang, MD, head of

allergy/immunology at the Cleveland Clinic. " Infants, small children, and

elderly adults are more likely to react to any type of mold, " he says.

It may be hard to get a mold allergy correctly diagnosed. " Very often, the root

of the problem isn't identified correctly, " Martyny says. " People have these

symptoms, but they don't realize they have a moisture and mold problem at home.

If you get rid of the allergens -- the mold -- people get better, and they get

better pretty fast. "

In some cases, mold exposure can cause serious respiratory problems, with

symptoms like chest tightness and difficulty breathing. " Some people who are

exposed to high levels of any mold for a long time develop lung hypersensitivity

-- which leads to scar tissue in the lungs, " Martyny explains. " Some people

recover when the mold source is removed. But if they've been exposed for a long

time, they may never recover. "

Coughing, wheezing, runny nose, irritated eyes or throat -- these are all signs

of mold allergy. Mold allergies can also trigger an asthma attack, with symptoms

like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms,

see an allergist for skin testing or a blood test to diagnose mold allergy.

Do You Have Mold?

Older homes are prime habitats for mold, which thrives in a dark, damp, warm

environment. If you have water damage, water leaks, a leaky roof, a washing

machine that overflows frequently, that moisture can give mold a toehold.

In winter months, indoor heat inside the house will pull air from the crawl

space into the living space, says Martyny. That’s one reason a mold allergy

may get worse in winter.

" In some instances, it can be hard to see the water damage, " he adds. " You may

have to have a professional with a moisture meter and infrared cameras see if

anything is leaking. "

So what can you do to reduce your exposure to mold? Attack mold on two fronts --

removal and prevention:

Get your house tested for mold. A moisture meter test will help. Also, a dust

sample from your carpet can show whether mold spores are in your home. Check

with your state health department about mold testing. Or look in the yellow

pages for environmental testing, Martyny suggests. 

Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. If you have mold in your crawl

space or basement, locate the source and stop the water from coming in. 

If your crawl space has mold, call an environmental service to get rid of it. If

a small area is moldy, you can try cleaning it yourself. 

Check inside drywall for mold inside the wall. You can usually smell mold even

if you can't see it. Moldy drywall must be cut out and replaced. Moldy

insulation also must be removed and replaced. 

Wash mold off hard surfaces. You don’t have to use chlorine bleach; soap and

water, combined with scrubbing from a stiff brush, works to remove mold. Some

people also recommend vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Non-toxic cleaners are also

available. Allow areas to dry completely. 

Dry water-damaged areas and items (like carpeting) within 24 to 48 hours of

flooding. Don't install carpeting in areas where there is a moisture problem. 

If ceiling tiles or carpet have become moldy, they must be replaced. Throw out

all wet, moldy tiles and carpeting. 

Reduce indoor humidity by venting bathrooms, dryers, and other

moisture-generating sources. Exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens can help. If

you don’t have exhaust fans, crack a window in the kitchen when you're cooking

or in the bathroom when you're bathing. 

Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers inside your home. Change filters

regularly. Use a dehumidifier to get rid of dampness in basements. 

Add insulation to windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors where there

is potential for condensation on cold surfaces.

If you're working in a moldy area, always wear a filtered face mask so you won't

inhale mold spores.