Welcome to Think Health! Health is our greatest wealth, and we must take care of it together. I'm Dr. Yang, and today we're discussing mold and its effects on your health. Do you often wake up with a stomachache, feel constantly tired, or experience a persistent cough that doesn't seem to improve? Have doctors told you everything is fine, yet you still struggle with skin problems or mental fog? It might not just be aging or a serious illness, but something else: mold.
What is Mold?
Mold refers to the presence of fungal infections in our bodies. Mold itself is a bacteria found in the air around us.
Sources of Mold
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Filters: Air filters can be a breeding ground for mold.
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Bathrooms: Black spots on bathroom walls often indicate mold growth.
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Appliances: Watch out for mold on washing machine seals.
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Floors: Check for mold on room floors and in basements.
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Basements: Basements are often humid and poorly ventilated, making them ideal environments for mold. Dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture in basements.
How Mold Enters Your Body and Affects Your Health
Mold enters our bodies in several ways, leading to various health problems.
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Air: Inhaling mold spores can trigger respiratory issues like rhinitis, asthma, and coughs.
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Skin Contact: Contact with mold can cause dizziness and itching.
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Ingestion: Eating mold-contaminated food can lead to liver toxicity, intestinal inflammation, and mental fogginess.
Some may mistake mold exposure for allergies, but it's often a harmful virus at work. Recent studies suggest that a significant percentage (93%) of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome show detectable signs of this virus, which can negatively impact the intestinal nerve and immune system.
Identifying Potential Mold Infection
If you've undergone various tests without finding a definitive cause for your symptoms, consider mold infection as a possibility. Symptoms manifest across different systems:
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Respiratory System: Psoriasis and morning cough.
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Nervous System: Brain fog, poor memory, and low mood.
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Immune System: Frequent colds and skin itching.
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Digestive System: Dryness, constipation, and indigestion.
These symptoms are often dismissed as signs of aging or stress, but they could signify a toxin buildup in the body. In Chinese medicine, we consider "food, gas, poison, and desire," representing our interaction with the environment and our internal state.
People prone to mold issues often have weaker gastrointestinal function, experience fatigue easily, and may have a white, thick tongue coating. They might also suffer from body heat issues like sticky and smelly dandruff. These are not isolated symptoms but a body-wide reaction to mild toxins.
How to Get Rid of Humidity and Prevent Mold Growth
Environmental Control
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Maintain Humidity Levels: Keep indoor humidity between 40% and 50%.
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Clean Filters: Regularly clean air conditioner filters.
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Kitchen Hygiene: Pay attention to cleaning corners of the kitchen.
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Regular Drying: Dry furniture and bedding frequently.
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Discard Moldy Items: Throw away any moldy items immediately.
Body Detoxification
The detoxification process involves four key steps:
- Reduce Mold-Promoting Foods: Limit sugar, dairy, peanuts, nuts, and beans.
- Increase High-Fiber Detox Foods: Consume red beans, vegetables, and mung beans.
- Supplement with Activated Carbon: Activated carbon can help neutralize toxins.
- Acupressure: Practice acupressure techniques.
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