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The mask debate. Masks protect us and others. Not all are made the same. Surgical type masks, the blue ones with elastic ear straps, have been used for years in surgery to protect the patient from bacteria spread from the surgery personnel to the patient on the table in the surgery suite. They are used also by medical personnel in rooms with immunocompromised individuals to protect the patient.

Medical personnel also wear surgical type masks to protect themselves from infected patients.

With COVID, the goal is not to spread the virus if you have it and also to protect yourself from the spread by others. The tighter the mask fits to the face the less likely spreading occurs and also that you will be protected by breathing filtered air thru the mask and not from around it.

The N95 mask is designed so it fits to the face better and with a bigger pocket for the nose but may be harder to breathe through. Homemade masks and face coverings are definitely better than nothing to protect you and others. Using some sort of face covering is important to reduce spread so choosing the one that you can tolerate and will use is so important. Try the different types for fit and tolerance.

I’m seeing face shields being worn without masks. Shields were designed to protect health care workers from the direct contact of body fluids to the eyes and face. They are meant to be worn with a mask.

Wearing the shield without a face covering only prevents direct contact of particles from a cough or sneeze by others around you. You are unprotected with your next breath, as you breathe in the expelled respiratory particles from around the shield that are still suspended in the air. When you cough or sneeze you spread the expelled particles to the shield and the particles are directed down and out into the air, clothing and surfaces below the shield.

Overall, not much protection either from you spreading particles or receiving particles. Wearing one does remind the wearer of COVID-19 and the need to distance.

Keeping a strong immune system. Supporting your immune system is important. Zinc suppresses viruses from multiplying as well as the amino acid Lysine. Vitamin D is also reported to be a protective nutrient. In my practice many patients are severely Vitamin D deficient when I first see them and measure their blood level. Proper guidance by a health professional is helpful in determining what level of supplementation is right for you.

Which are the best tests? Testing can be confusing. The nasal swab, PCR for COVID-19, looks for the virus being present by detecting its specific genetic material. This tells us the virus is present in the nasal cavity and is capable of being spread to other people. True illness occurs when that person has symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, aching and fatigue.

Antibody testing looks for your immune response to the virus. IgM antibodies may be present within a few days of exposure, showing an acute exposure situation. IgG antibodies form after days to weeks after the virus contacts your body and show prior exposure or infection and may indicate some immunity to the virus has developed. IgA antibodies indicated a mucus membrane immune defense response to the virus and generally is seen early on like IgM.

Antigen testing looks for specific proteins on the surface of the virus indicating virus is present. Just like IgM positive you may or may not have symptoms when positive. Results that are obtained quickly are the most helpful in the symptomatic patient.

How testing and treatment all ties together. In medical treatment of a disease early detection and treatment is useful in decreasing the severity of the medical problem. In my experience the same is true with COVID-19. Testing to confirm infection with results obtained within one to two days is important in symptomatic patients to begin early treatment. The longer the time the virus has to multiply before treatment the greater the infective load the ill individual’s immune system has to overcome.

Early treatment in infections generally provides a better outcome. The recent study from Henry, hydroxychloroquine, cut the death by 50 percent. Seeking medical help early when symptoms occur is important in improving the individual’s outcome and recovery.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com or call 972-479-0400.

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Getting a diagnosis. It can be hard to get a proper diagnosis because not all doctors are familiar with Lyme disease. Finding a doctor that frequently treats Lyme, such as myself, improves your chances of knowing what is really going on in your body. That physician can recommend the best available testing methods and interpret the results correctly because they know what other types of information can be helpful thanks to their experience in evaluating and treating the disease among their patients. This should be done as quickly as possible because the lab results for long-term Lyme disease is not as accurate. The body may stop producing antibodies after a while.

The two-step test. The Center for Disease Control recommends a two-step test which much both turn out positive before Lyme disease can be confirmed. If a person has a negative result in either of these tests, then Lyme can be ruled out and other causes may be explored. The first test is called ELISA which is an acronym for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The next step is the Western Blot Test. These are just two ways to check for antibodies that can confirm the presence of the B. burgdorferi bacteria in the blood. If only one of these is performed, then the risk of having a false positive is high.

Why direct testing is not advisable. You might wonder why the tests are looking for antibodies instead of the bacteria itself. Other diseases, including COVID-19, can be found through direct testing using the PCR test or polymerase chain reaction. The answer is that direct tests are difficult for Lyme because the bacteria can hide to protect itself from antibiotics. If the test is conducted while they are in hiding, then false negatives are likely. It’s fortunate that the bacteria has no control over the production of antibodies. These are easier to search for in infected persons.

The ELISA Test and Western Blot Test. This is the standard testing protocol. This is good for short-term diagnosis using antibodies as targets. The body produces antibodies to fight infection. Different pathogens like viruses and bacteria result in different antibodies. Their presence indicates that the person’s immune system is fighting the B. burgdorferi bacteria. A negative result is deemed to be conclusive that Lyme disease is out of the question. No further tests are necessary. If positive, then confirmatory test is required. The Western Blot Test is an immunoblot test that also looks for antibodies.

Why false positives occur. There are many reasons why false positive results come out of these tests. Usually, the culprit is the presence of another infection. If your body is currently fighting mold infection, then you might get a positive test even if you don’t have Lyme disease. Physicians should explore other possible causes to prevent wrong diagnoses by asking about possible mold exposure and other issues that are commonly associated with false positives. Mold infections are particularly problematic since the symptoms are like what you would find with Lyme.

There are even cases wherein the patient has no symptoms at all and yet the tests turn out positive. There are two possible explanations. The first is that the bacteria is present in the body but the immune system is so strong that it is not affecting the person. The second is that it is a false positive in which another type of infection is causing the problem. New tests may be needed to pinpoint the exact issue. After all, symptoms might emerge later and make life harder for the individual. Early intervention will lead to better outcomes.

Mold infection can be assessed using a culture of suspected areas. DNA probes and standard growth techniques are utilized. The toxicity in the body can be analyzed using urine, blood, hair, or saliva samples. Longer exposure in a problematic environment increases the chances of inhaling the spores. Known symptoms include fatigue, headaches, joint pain and chronic cough. Consulting a physician familiar with mold illness, Lyme, and the conflicts between them can help you ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. With my years of experience with the matter, my staff and I have been able to help many find their way to better health despite these difficulties.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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Evaluating the underlying causes. This is a complicated situation for the physician and the patient and requires time and patience for both the patient and the physician to work through the process of evaluating for underlying causes or triggers. Triggers can be allergies to mold, food, dust mites or animal dander. It also may be due to viruses such at Epstein Barr (Mononucleosis), West Nile Virus or Lyme Disease. Exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace or at home such as solvents or pesticides affects cell function, thus fatigue. Excessive dampness in a home or building can produce mold growth that in many cases produce mycotoxins, a neurotoxic substance, that affects the nervous system including adverse effects on brain function.

Be mindful of when and where you experience your symptoms. A chronological history is important in understanding the time and place of onset of symptoms including work and living conditions. Frequently, I hear that the illness began shortly after the patient moved from out of state, moved to a new residence or started a new job.

When this is the situation indoor air quality issues are a strong consideration such as mold or chemical exposure. Dampness in a dwelling creates an environment for mold growth that causes allergic conditions such as asthma, cough, eye irritation, nasal congestion and yes – fatigue. If that mold is one that produces mycotoxins such as aspergillus, penicillium or stackyboytris, which are neurotoxins, that affect not only the brain but also the cell mitochondria ATP production (the energy producers) resulting in fatigue.

Food sensitivity and fatigue. If fatigue starts after a meal, then food sensitivity needs to be considered. Foods include what you drink, seasonings and all types of ingredients that one ingests. Recently, I saw a lady that was falling asleep when driving home from work. In taking a history of her problem I asked what was different in what she was eating for lunch. She thought for a moment and then said she had added tea. Skin testing showed a sensitivity to tea. She stopped and the problem resolved.

Many food problems can be defined by doing a Four Day Rotation Diet. This involves eating two to three individual foods per meal and not repeating any of those foods until four days have elapsed. Keep a diary on how you feel after eating. Reactions may occur quickly or be delayed hours, some to the next morning. Pay attention to how you feel on awakening and the quality of sleep you had. Repeat for at least three times for 12 days in total. If you find a reactive food omit the next time around.

Viral infections that can cause fatigue. Some viral infections just make you feel bad and not diagnosed unless the correct tests are run. IgG antibody tests show past exposure or infection. IgM antibodies present in high amounts generally means acute infection. PCR (DNA detection) means the virus is present. Possible offenders could be EBV, West Nile, or Lyme if one has been bitten by a tick. Appropriate testing can be run by a physician.

COVID is the current virus concern. If you have symptoms get tested. Nasal swabs pick up the DNA of the virus. Blood antibody tests evaluate for acute infection, IgM positive, and past exposure is expressed by IgG positive test results. Early treatment as in any infection should lessen the adverse effects of the infection. The recent Henry Ford study is proof of that response.

Stay healthy, pay attention to safeguards and hopefully this will help you understand some of the underlying triggers of fatigue.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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Every day, I see patients that are having trouble with their allergic symptoms. For some individuals, over the counter medications such as antihistamines help but does not give sufficient relief for the comfort of the patient. Others have tried prescription medications which include stronger antihistamine and medications that reduce the inflammatory process, such as montelukast or steroids, with varying results and side effects.

Understanding seasonal allergy triggers. To achieve effective treatment, it is important to understand the cause or triggers of the symptoms you are experiencing. Avoidance or reducing exposure is the first step in treatment.

In Texas, that is almost impossible. There are airborne pollens year-around, differing in spring, summer, fall and winter. Winter brings Mountain Cedar in December, January and February. In spring, pollens are in grasses and trees. Summer has carryovers from spring and then ragweed begins in August thru October. Fall pollen contains different trees from spring tree pollen and weeds.

The most significant weed is ragweed that carries over from late summer. Molds are present year around with levels elevating with wind and damper conditions. Additional allergens that may add to the individual’s allergic load are dust mites and animal dander, such as dog, cat and feathers (birds or pillows).

Reactions for some individuals may be very specific, such as dust mite or ragweed. Others may have more extensive allergies and have symptoms year around.

Reducing your allergic reactions. Blood tests for IgE allergy (Type 1 allergic response) can define the worst offenders. Skin tests also define those reactive substances and may be more sensitive picking up the less reactive but troublesome items.

Once a person knows what specific items are causing them problems, reducing exposure is important to decrease symptoms during that individual’s high pollen season. Staying inside during peak pollen times, exercising indoors and traveling with windows up and air conditioner on recirculate helps reduce exposure.

Many newer cars have cabin filters that help reduce the in-vehicle pollen. If your vehicle has one, be sure to change it on a regular basis. Home air purifiers, especially in the room where sleeping, helps also. This gives the person six to eight hours of cleaner air.

Another simple process to reduce exposure is to use nasal saline to rinse out the pollen in the nasal passage before going to bed and after being outside.

Natural substances may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Vitamin C, taking at least 3 grams a day, is reported to have antihistamine effects. Quercetin also is reported to help.

Steroids either by shot or oral administration generally reduce symptoms quickly. Long term use may have significant side effects and are generally only given by physicians once or twice a year for a short period of time for symptoms not resolving with antihistamines.

Immunotherapy, allergy shots or sublingual drops (called SLIT- sublingual immunotherapy) builds up your body’s tolerance to the specific pollens. This therapy is specifically designed for you from your blood or skin testing results and administered on a frequent basis, usually weekly, over three to five years.

Consulting a physician for additional treatment options. If over the counter medication is not helping and you are miserable, consulting a physician to discuss additional treatment options is important to improve your health in a safe and effective manner.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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“Peoples Pharmacy” had a recent article in The Dallas Morning News reporting that dietary intake may increase acne. This stimulated me to add additional information on foods and the potential adverse health effects.

The CDC has numerous articles and guidelines on Food Allergy and Digestive Allergy from foods. The most dramatic and life threatening are the anaphylactic shock reactions such as acute asthma, laryngeal edema, body swelling and hives.

Ninety percent of these reactions are produced by eight foods: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. The main treatment is avoidance and to be prepared to treat with Epinephrine injection and antihistamine with immediate transportation to the hospital for stabilization.

Food allergies link to other conditions. Individuals with this type of food allergy are two to four times more likely to have other allergic conditions like asthma, eczema and seasonal allergies. In this situation often tolerance can be developed over time to the seasonal allergies by using allergy shots called allergy immunotherapy. This is done thru skin testing by physicians to determine the item you are sensitive to and then preparing a specific formula for your treatment protocol. Tolerance to allergic items is achieved over time.

Digestive Allergy involves foods that trigger abdominal pain, swelling, cramping, constipation or diarrhea. Secondary effects of adverse food reactions may also include fatigue, less mental clarity (“brain fog,”) joint pain, rash and itching. The eight foods listed above may be the trigger or other commonly eaten foods such as corn, rice, garlic, onion, pepper and peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, and all the grains that contain gluten. Elimination is again the treatment.

Figuring out which foods are causing you issues. Defining which foods are the trigger is often difficult. The quick onset reacts can generally be determined by skin tests or IgE blood tests. Delayed reactions are harder to be isolated.

One method is the “4 Day Rotation Diet” involving eating two to three foods per meal and not repeating any of the foods in the four-day time period. While doing this it is important to keep a diary of the foods eaten and how you feel recording the reactions. Reactions can be delayed by hours or extend into the next day. (There is help with this diet on the internet).

Celiac Disease is the absolute intolerance to gluten which is in all grains except corn and rice. Individuals with this Disease must strictly avoid all gluten containing foods to avoid the severe symptoms experienced by an exposure, severe abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea that may go on for days.

Other individuals may have gluten intolerance and experience milder symptoms of bloating, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, poor mental clarity, generalized aching, headache, rashes and swelling. Often these individuals have additional foods intolerances or allergies that make the job of getting relief difficult due to the many food variables.

Skin and blood testing for foods can help to define the specific foods. However, this testing often misses many reactive foods and it is necessary to use the “4 Day Rotation Diet” as a challenge method to define which foods for you are causing your symptoms. Then avoid those triggering foods for optimal health. For those individuals with many food allergies/intolerances staying on a rotation with avoidance is the best treatment.

Additional help for digestive allergies.

Help for individuals with Digestive Allergy is available through genetic testing, especially for gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease. Enterolabs at enterolabs.com offers a buccal swab test that will define your specific genetic makeup defining how you handle gluten. You acquire one set of genes from your mother and one set from your father. The combination of these two gene sets determines how your body will potentially handle ingested gluten, true celiac verses intolerance. With a physician’s guidance this can be a big help in how you regulate your diet for optimal health.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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With school out and government restrictions lifting, many of us are slowly getting back to our new “normal.” While many of our kids are excited to get out of the house and potentially back into sports, it’s important that we stay focused on safety. Whether it’s running, playing games in the neighborhood or participating in school activities, hitting our heads, falling, or colliding with someone in a contact sport can be a risk. In severe cases, that collision can result in a concussion, which is technically a form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A sudden impact to the head may produce injury manifest feeling confused or having memory problems, sensitivity to light and loud noises, nausea and vomiting, problems maintaining balance, feeling groggy, foggy or sluggish, feeling pressure in the head or headache and blurry vision or balance issues.

If you or your child has any of these symptoms and seems to be a little “off” the normal, questioning them about recent activity and the possibility of being struck in the head is important. If the symptoms are not resolving within a couple of hours or are getting worse you should seek medical evaluation immediately. The CDC has recommended rest, light activity, moderate activity and then back to regular activity.

Rest. You or your child should rest the first few days after being injured while symptoms are severe. Physical activity as well as thinking or remembering activities should be limited in order to avoid worsening symptoms. Lastly, allow naps throughout the day if needed and make sure to get a good night’s sleep.

Light activity. Once you or your child starts to feel better, you may gradually return to regular activities, as long as they are not strenuous. Kids may also return to school and activities. If symptoms do not worsen, it is OK for your child to participate in that specific activity. However, if symptoms do worsen, time spent on that activity should be cut back. Screen time and loud music should be limited before bed and fixed sleep schedules should be followed. Naps can be reduced or they can return to their regular napping schedule, depending on their age.

Moderate activity. When symptoms are almost gone, you or your child can return back to most regular activities. Breaks are only needed if concussion symptoms worsen. At this stage, kids can also return to a regular school schedule.

Regular Activity. Recovery from a concussion is when you or your child are able to complete daily activities without experiencing any symptoms. Regular activity may resume at this point.

More information on concussion recovery can be found at cdc.gov.

Treatment can vary depending on injury and person. In general, the focus is to limit activity, stay in a low light and sound environment, and get as much rest as possible. In mild cases, symptoms can resolve within hours to a few days. Keep in mind, the length of time of recovery is not related to the severity of the impact and careful observation is necessary. If you’re feeling that symptoms and discomfort are persisting, additional medical attention is recommended and, in many cases, needed.

In fact, the CDC states that 20 percent of people suffering concussions have symptoms after 30 days. Many athletes injured are out of school for days to weeks recovering unable to tolerate bright lights, loud noises, physical activity or cannot concentrate. While this isn’t always the case, and others may have headaches, lethargy and cognitive difficulties that only last for a few weeks.

Using technology to monitor concussion recovery. As technology in the health and wellness industry is advancing, there are some exciting things on the horizon in terms of technology to help with concussion monitoring and recovery.

For example, a new mobile app is now available for free called HitCheck. Users can download this app and do a baseline concussion assessment right on their phone or other mobile device. When an athlete has a suspected injury, repeating the testing will pick up symptoms and signs that may not be easily recognizable indicating a concussive event probably happened. This app can be used also to determine when abnormalities have resolved.

Speeding up recovery with hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Luckily, there are alternatives for those trying to get on their feet quicker. A recent study, presented at the Hyperbaric Medicine International Meeting in Charleston, SC, showed that hyperbaric treatments speed up recovery with 80 percent of the individuals being symptom free after five daily one-hour sessions in a hard-sided chamber. For an individual with continuing problems following a concussion, Hyperbaric Oxygen has also been helpful in longer recovery.

For those new to Hyperbaric Oxygen, this treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. In this condition, your lungs can gather more oxygen than under a normal air pressure, which ultimately can help promote faster healing.

Dr. Alfred Johnson, D.O. is a physician practicing in Richardson, specializing in internal medicine, environmental medicine and chronic disease. For more information, visit johnsonmedicalassociates.com.

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Previously, we have broached the topics of mold exposure and housing situations that produce sickness. The same symptoms discussed were fatigue, fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, visual disturbances, rashes, shortness of breath, “brain fog,” cognitive dysfunction, numbness and tingling of skin.

These can be caused by other underlying factors and it is especially frustrating when all the standard laboratory tests are negative and physicians have instated trials of therapy with little or no health improvement. People many times resort the self- treatment with vitamins, minerals and herbs with varying results but no resolution.

Labels attached to these individuals may include Chronic fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Mononucleosis (EBV), Chronic Lyme Disease, different chronic virus or bacterial infections (CMV, etc.), leaky gut, parasitic infection or Mast Cell Activation syndrome. A diagnostic label gives some people comfort but little help in resolving the problem.

This situation presents a challenge to both patient and physician as determining the specific cause becomes even more important so that a cause directed treatment approach can be instated.

How is this done? A timeline history of health problems along with living and/or work situation needs to be recorded to determine time and place of symptom onset. This allows us to determine changes in environment that occurred area of country, different allergens in new area or amount in current residence/work, different lawn, pesticides, or cleaning products (always read labels for content), emissions from close by factories, natural environmental factors and disease vectors in the area like carriers such as tics, mosquitoes and fleas, contact with others with like symptoms, Mononucleosis or other transmittable diseases, potential exposure at work due to chemicals, mold, or poor air quality and travel in a time close to the onset of symptoms.

By creating a timeline of health and illness, a better idea of the time and place of onset can be determined and then discussed with your physician. The environmental and industrial changes surrounding the onset of your illness may need to be researched thru the EPA, Toxic Waste sites and also be discussion the physician.

If your physician is unwilling or does not have the time or interest then it is important to find one that is focused on doing specific diagnostic testing to find the underlying cause, generally one with internal medicine and environmental training.

Specific tests for acute infection are generally PCR (genetic) based showing presence of the organism in blood or secretions. An example of this is the COVID 19 nasal swab, a PCR test. Upon exposure, the body also reacts by producing antibodies to the individual insults. The immediate response is an IgM (immunoglobulin M) response.

Days to weeks later an immunoglobulin G (IgG) response occurs if the individual is not immune deficient. In those individuals they have low IgG and may produce a lower or no response. IgM positive means acute infection. IgG elevated levels mean past exposure or serial elevation may mean reactivation in the case of EBV. Interpreting the IgG tests must be done with caution as a virus or mold IgG antibody may cross react in the test tube causing a false positive in other IgG tests. Just because your IgG level is positive does not mean you have that specific infection now.

An example is in the EBV antibody panel test (acute and chronic Mononucleosis). The IgG portion may be falsely elevated by mold or virus exposure creating confusion of reactivation.

Another confusing test is the Lyme Western Blot Test were IgG antibodies measure the presence of specific proteins. These proteins are found in many organisms, just not Lyme. The CDC has a specific criterion for the number of bands present for the test to be considered a positive IgG test (past exposure) or IgM test (acute exposure). If this criterion is not met, then one is considered negative for Lyme. Treatment failures probably mean that there is another underlying condition.

Hidden causes include toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic chemical compounds which include mycotoxins from mold. Toxins affect the body in such an adverse way, at the cellular level including the mitochondria (the energy engines of the body), that until the toxic problem is resolved the body has a difficult time recovering (person symptom free).

Mycotoxins are measured by a urine test thru Realtime Labs, Carrollton in requested by you or your physician.

Once the cause is defined then a treatment plan can be designed for your individual need.

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In my practice, I find mold in homes to be a frequent, yet unknown, problem for many individuals. Unusual odors, damp smell or wall discoloration may be visual clues of a problem. Changes in your health, such as onset of asthma or worsening asthma, aggravation of allergies, headaches or fatigue after moving to a different residence may be an indicator of indoor contamination.

Individuals generally develop an allergy to mold due to an excessive exposure for that individual. Each of us have different tolerance levels and genetic makeup that can cause greater or lesser individual susceptibility. In a “sick house,” only one person can have a problem while the rest are symptom free, or all can be affected.

Different Varieties of Mold Allergies and Where They Reside

Not all mold allergies are created equal, and there are several varieties. Type 1 is the typical IgE allergy (histamine mediated response) causing nose and eye irritation, hives and asthma. The other five types cause variations in an inflammatory response, releasing other mediators, generally creating delayed-type allergic reactions over multiple hours. Symptoms could include fatigue, headaches, memory and cognitive problems, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain and skin rashes.   

Molds produce mold spores and chemical compounds, called mycotoxins, which are released into the air. There are hundreds of outdoor molds that can cause allergy, and they are often worse when the wind is blowing. Generally, symptoms from these molds respond to antihistamines, allergy immunotherapy and short-term use of steroids.

Indoor molds are fewer in variety, but when dampness occurs can cause severe medical problems, both allergic and toxic. In newer homes, the possibility for these molds to develop is enhanced by the tight construction requirements with very little fresh air exchange.

In older homes, damp crawl spaces and leaky air ducts can encourage mold growth. These enclosed environments hold the mold spores that are produced from damp areas in the house, and do not allow for dispersion of the mycotoxins (volatile neurotoxic organic compounds) in the air. These damp areas may be hidden in the walls, under sinks, behind washing machines, in AC closets or in ceilings. These locations are often hard to see, making isolating the problem area difficult.

Receiving Help for Your Mold Problems

Certified Indoor Air Inspectors can measure and define the different types of molds present and the spore concentrations.  With this information, they can calculate the percentage of each type of mold found and measure mold volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).

A physician experienced in treating mold exposure illness is generally consulted to correctly interpret the results as related to the affected person. Increased concentrations and higher percentage of spores from Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stackybotris and Cheatoninum are indicators of a potential problem.

MVOC measurement can help in finding areas that are hidden and growing “black mold” that produce the mycotoxins but not releasing spores into the rooms.

Tests Available to Help Identify Mold

If you are concerned that you are having symptoms from mold in your home, there are multiple lab tests available to help. Individual exposure and toxicity can be measured by urine tests for the excreted mycotoxins. IgG antibody blood tests can be used to document exposure to the individual species of mold. Skin allergy tests can determine the allergic component and specific cultures to determine type and amount of infection in sinuses or lungs.

In addition to diagnosing your specific issues via testing, effective treatment begins with avoidance of further exposure. If you have persistent symptoms and illness, the specific testing is necessary to determine the type of treatment needed. Continuing to live and work in a contaminated building only will make the medical condition worse. The good news is that there are numerous treatment options to improve your health if you find yourself struggling with symptoms from mold exposure – it’s a situation that can be remedied through a targeted approach tailored to the individual.

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