Understanding the Link between Mold and Dyspnea
Did you know there is a connection between in-house mold and shortness of breath? Dyspnea is the medical term for the sensation of not being able to fully catch your breath. Chronic dyspnea can make it hard to lead a full, normal life. If you're concerned about the link between mold exposure and your health, read on to learn about this important topic.
Understanding Dyspnea
Dyspnea is the term the medical community uses to describe shortness of breath. This is often a concerning sensation which is categorized by symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Breathlessness
- Pain while breathing
- Inability to "catch" one's breath
There is a wide array of causes of dyspnea, many of which are serious, including asthma, heart failure, and pneumonia. Although some of these issues can be chronic, shortness of breath is considered a red alert symptom, meaning if you suddenly experience symptoms that are severe enough to affect your normal activities, it's a good idea to go immediately to the emergency room or call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
Chronic dyspnea, however, can be equally troubling. For individuals who continuously experience shortness of breath, the condition can impact nearly every part of their lives, negatively impacting their mobility, the activities that they can participate in, and their quality of life. In fact, many people who suffer from dyspnea become housebound because they are so limited in what they can do. This can cut them off from the outside world and lead to an all-around poorer prognosis.
How do you tell if mold is affecting your lungs?
Because there can be a troubling link between in-house mold exposure and shortness of breath, it's important to know the signs and symptoms that can be caused by mold exposure in the home. Look out for symptoms such as:
- Congestion or chronic runny nose
- Red, irritated, or itchy eyes
- Sneezing or coughing
- Repeated sore throat
- Unexplained skin rash
- Recurring headaches
- Wheezing or other signs of trouble breathing
How quickly can mold spores make you sick?
The Cleveland Clinic explains that those sensitive to black mold could begin to experience symptoms within minutes after exposure. They go on to say that even individuals without a sensitivity could develop mold exposure symptoms after repeated long-term exposure. Because everyone's body reacts differently to mold exposure, one person may experience severe symptoms immediately, while another may not have symptoms at all. This can lead some people to think that the cause must not be mold if all residents in a home aren't being affected. And that would be a mistake. Although some people can have a severe allergy to mold, less sensitive individuals can also suffer consequences after long-term in-house mold exposure.
How do you prevent dyspnea (shortness of breath) caused by mold?
It's important to note that there is no cure doctors can provide for mold exposure symptoms. However, removing the mold from the home can be an effective way to reduce and ultimately eliminate these symptoms from occurring. There are many steps you can take to prevent mold from growing in your home, including:
- Monitor humidity levels and add a dehumidifier to any room, like a basement, that is typically damp.
- Fix leaks and water damage as soon as they occur.
- Conduct an annual inspection to check for mold growth.
Although it's a good idea to do routine mold checks, mold can often hide in walls and within insulation, so it may not always be easily visible. A mold professional like Mold KO can help you to accurately assess if there's a mold problem in your home.
What should I do if my house is making me sick?
If you've been experiencing shortness of breath or any of the symptoms listed above and suspect mold in your home may be the cause, it's best to seek the help of your primary care doctor. Your doctor can help to determine whether your symptoms are tied to mold exposure or whether there's another reason for your health symptoms.
If it's determined that mold may be the cause of your symptoms, then you'll want to consult with a professional mold remediation expert to ensure mold is properly removed from your home. The good news is that for many people, once the irritating in-house mold is remediated, their symptoms resolve. If you live in New Jersey, trust our expert team at Mold KO of Elizabeth. We're a leading mold remediation service provider, and we use only high-quality, EPA-approved, non-toxic chemicals to help you make your home safe again.
Don't Let Mold Sabotage Your Family's Health
In-house mold exposure can cause multiple health problems, including shortness of breath. If your home has recently experienced a leak or water damage, it's crucial to have a mold expert provide a thorough inspection because mold can be growing and filling the air with spores that can wreak havoc on the body. Trust the mold removal experts at Mold KO of Elizabeth to provide meticulous home mold inspections and expert mold removal services. Just don't wait. Timely mold removal is critical to your health and the health of every family member in your home.
