Why Do Mold Biotoxin Illness Patients Stay Ill?

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What is notable about mold biotoxin illness?

Mold biotoxicity occurring in genetically susceptible individuals can be described as the inability to process and detoxify mold toxins that we are exposed to via skin contact, inhalation, or digestion. It’s believed that genetically susceptible individuals make up approximately 25% of the population. 

We are exposed to hundreds of mold species on a regular basis yet not all of them create mycotoxins. It is usually when indoor molds grow without competition from their natural environment that we begin to see clinical manifestations within patients. This is called Sick Building Syndrome. Rooms like the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom all produce water vapor from cooking, laundering, and bathing. The water vapor can then condense on cooler surfaces immediately around the area (think windows, furniture, and walls) and lead to colonization of mold spores.

The WHO estimates that somewhere between 10-50% of buildings across North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and India have dampness problems. A further study from Sivasubramani et al. notes that between 15-40% of North American and European homes have a fungal growth problem.

Molds that we encounter in our food sources, typically from contaminated grains and corn, are a common enough route of toxin entry into our bodies. Most commonly we see these outbreaks of exposure when the foods have been improperly stored. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eradicate this from our food chain, and thus it becomes important to ask patients about their recent food intake as a possible route of entry.

Because of biotoxins’ propensity to hyperexcite the nervous and immune systems, mold biotoxin is often referred to as a great sensitizer. This means mold biotoxin will make existing or new symptoms worse. As a result, if a patient has any chronic infections like Lyme disease or viral infections, those symptoms can be exacerbated due to the mold biotoxin. This is equally true for food allergies, autoimmunity, multiple chemical sensitivities and other chronic conditions.

What are common mold biotoxin symptoms?

• Cognitive impairments: difficulty with recent memory, retention of new information, word finding, confusion

• Fatigue, weakness

• Headache

• Chronic sinus congestion

• Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain

• Abdominal pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), nausea, vomiting

• Joint pain, tendonitis, morning stiffness

• Muscle aches, cramps, unusual pains (commonly described as stabbing or lightning bolt pains)

• Sensitivity to bright light, tearing, blurred vision

• Numbness/tingling

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Skin sensitivity to light touch

• Mood swings, appetite swings, difficulty with temperature regulation

• Metallic taste in mouth

• Excessive thirst, excessive urination

• Sexual dysfunction

Why do mold toxic patients stay toxic?

When a genetically susceptible individual becomes exposed to mold biotoxins, they lack the ability to make antibodies to clear the biotoxins directly. As a result, the only mechanism available is to eliminate the offending toxin via the liver where it is secreted into the bile. Bile eventually arrives at the upper intestine, but does not continue to the lower intestine for excretion. Instead, the toxins are reabsorbed by the enterohepatic circulation system, and are circulated back to the gallbladder. This recirculation is part of the reason why mold patients stay toxic.

The other major reason for prolonged toxicity after mold exposure is that the mold can easily colonize various areas of the body. This can include the sinuses, gastrointestinal tract, and even the lungs where these colonies then continuously produce toxins. Even if people are not living or working in the moldy area any longer, the biotoxins may still be produced from colonies that remain inside their bodies. This is of note for those with other chronic diseases or immune compromised individuals.

How do we correct mold biotoxin illness?

This is a complex and long term disease, and thus as is the recovery from it. It should be noted that treatment involve the removal of the mold biotoxins from the home or workplace. If a water damaged home or building is the cause or contributing to the illness, it requires remediation or one needs to leave the building permanently. The second component is to remove the mold biotoxins from the body. Both processes are situational and patient specific, and thus a unique plan is created for each individual.

If you have any questions or curious about referrals in your area for the best mold inspectors, mold remediation companies, and building biologists feel free to ask in the comment section below!