Functional Medicine Doctor for Mold Toxicity
There is now emerging evidence showing mold exposure and mycotoxins directly cause depression, anxiety and panic attacks. There are several types of mold, including five of the most toxigenic (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, fusarium and Cladosporium) that are toxic to the brain and central nervous system. Many of the mycotoxins which are the toxic waste products released by mold spores, are also neurotoxic, meaning they affect the nerves. Neurotoxins cause direct damage to the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves causing lesions. This creates a dysfunction in dopamine and serotonin firing properly. When nerve cells are destroyed in the brain, they can no longer function and do the job they were set out to do.
Mold spores and mycotoxins cause severe inflammation by setting off the immune system when the pathogen is present. But due to its ability to create a biofilm which allows the pathogen to hide from the body’s own immune factors, the factors are drawn to where the pathogen is, but cannot get at it to destroy it. This leaves the body constantly inflamed and confused because it knows a pathogen is present, but it cannot get to it. This ‘chronic inflammatory response syndrome’ can be throughout the entire body. Inflammation in the brain impairs cognitive function and can lead to long-lasting brain damage.
Mold is a silent and slow killer, often times attacking multiple systems and organs, confusing doctors because the symptoms are so diverse. Often it goes misdiagnosed because doctors compartmentalize their treatments sending the patient to the GI doctor, the psychiatrist, the orthopedist, the cardiologist, etc. The body if looked at in whole, and with the correct information, an experienced practitioner can see the mold toxicity symptoms. Because of its prevalence nowadays whereby most people especially in warm southern climates are either working or living among fungus, this is becoming an increasingly more dangerous problem.
Mold has very serious and detrimental effects on brain activity. Besides anxiety and depression, patients who have had major mold exposure also complain of disassociation, brain fog, inability to find words, suicidal thoughts and even hallucinations. It is a terrible toxin and even more dangerous that the average western doctor knows very little about it and some still think it is a sham diagnosis. Yet, fungus is one of the most powerful pathogens in existence. If you suspect mold toxicity, give our functional medicine doctor a call. We will work with you to get to the root of the issue and order a mycotoxin test. This is the beginning of diagnosing the root issue. Meanwhile it is very important to know and understand where the mold is coming from and to either remediate it or get out of the house or workplace where it exists. Luckily our functional medicine doctor is also a mold inspector so she can guide you in every possible way. With a background in mold illness, mold toxicity, house flipping, real estate, building science and also an OSHA trained mold inspector, you are in good hands.
