By Dr. Doreen DeStefano, NhD, APRN, DNP
Mold, also know as mycotoxin, can make you very ill. It is everywhere right now. Mold exposure and subsequent illness from mold are going to be huge problems post Ian. When wet materials are not immediately dried, mold can form. Sometimes you can’t see it or smell it, so you don’t know it’s there. But that doesn’t stop it from causing BIG health problems. Mold is a fungus that can cause acute and chronic infections that are not easy to test for. Mold and fungus can cause allergies with typical allergy symptoms like irritated eyes and sinuses, stiffy or runny nose, chronic cough, and sneezing. Mold illness can also have more nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, disorientation, dizziness, brain fog, muscle pain, joint pain, post nasal drip, asthma, headaches, weight loss, memory loss, swollen glands (lymph nodes), hormone imbalance and other things. These symptoms may be very pronounced, or very mild at first. The presentation will be different for everyone.
Right now in southwest Florida, just walking down the street past the wet and moldy contents of the houses along the road can give us significant mold exposure. Doing the laundry we drug out of flooded areas can even give us significant exposure. Big jobs like emptying a flooded home, removing the drywall and insulation and carrying items out of the house can give your body more mold toxin than it can handle. How do we prevent illness from taking hold?
Mold toxin prevention is not easy.
What can you do to prevent an exposure:
. Since mold can become airborne, try not to stir it up. Once the area is dry, turn off the fans and don’t enter the room for 24 hours while the air settles.
. When the mold is wet, try not to get it one you, and remove your clothes and wash them in hot water with a detergent that is specific for mold.
. Where the correct protective items: an N95 mask (remember those?), gloves, hair coverings, safety glasses.
. Wash all clothes immediately.
. Shower as soon as possible after an exposure
. Regularly take vitamin C, b12, and Selenium, a trace mineral that increases an important immune system protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA).
Some of us will not be able to avoid being exposed. Follow these procedures to reduce the possibility of long term illness:
. Netti pot with warm salt water as soon as possible
. Nebulize with specific medications that can be prescribed by your practitioner
. Take good biotoxin binders. Activated charcoal will work in a pinch, but there are some better options
. Take a good probiotic twice daily
. Use an air purifier at home at all time
If your symptoms persist, you will need to see a professional who is experienced in mycotoxins. Not all medical professionals are familiar with how to treat mycotoxins. Each case is different, but some treatment options are:
. Hyperbaric Oxygen
. Nebulized medications
. Intravenous nutrients specific for mycotoxins
. Professional strength binders and protocols for the specific type of mold toxin
. Support of your endocrine system
If you think you have a mold toxin illness, call Root Causes to make an appointment to get help. Mycotoxin illness does not go away on its own.
Dr. DeStefano, of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine in Ft Myers, FL, incorporates IV & Chelation therapy with hyperbaric chamber sessions to combat multiple chronic conditions and disease states.
Doreen DeStefano, NHD, APRN, DNP
Dr. Doreen DeStefano holds a doctorate in natural health, an MPA in public business, MS (ABT) in criminal psychology, and a BS in exercise physiology and nursing. She previously held an EMT certification. Dr. DeStefano has been practicing in natural health for over ten years. Her area of interest is healthy aging and prevention and resolution of chronic symptoms associated with aging. She believes that growing old should not mean breaking down.
Poor diet, chronic stress, insomnia, disease, illness, environmental stressors, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to disease states and an unhealthy lifestyle. ISN’T IT TIME YOU TOOK STEPS TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE?
Contact Root Causes Holistic Health and Medicine at (239) 425-2900
Root Causes Holistic Health and Medicine
12734 Kenwood Lane. Ft Myers, FL 33907
239-425-2900 | www.rtcausesmd.com