Wednesday, March 28, 2012

MARCH 28, 2012 MOLD, MOLD, MOLD
























"COURAGE IS THE POWER TO LET GO OF THE FAMILIAR." Raymond Lindquist



Do you have courage? We all have courage. Even the Cowardly Lion ion The Wizard of Oz had courage. One of the greatest ways I have progressed on my life journey is in developing the courage to confront. As I young person I was never good at confrontation. I shyed away from it or finally did it in an overly aggressive way. Now most of the time I confront with the courage, and from my heart. Not from my wit, nor sharp tongue. I confront from a place of love and peace.




We are all having allergies earlier this year. Spring came earlier and there was no winter to speak of for the Northeast Region. Mold is everywhere since the weather was not as cold, and even warm some days. Mold allergies are a result of extensive exposure to mold. All mold can affect breathing by either an immunologic reaction or an allergic reaction. Many of my patients suffer from both. The allergic reaction is the same when a person is allergic to dust mites and pollen. This is also a problem this time of the year but it is happening earlier. I utilize sub lingual antibody therapy against the allergens (regardless whether the dog, cat, dust, mold, trees, weeds and grasses) The immunologic reaction to mold occurs similarly to the way the body fights infection. It can be as mild as itching and swelling to severe body anaphylactic shock (which is rare).



Do you think you are allergic to mold?


1. Do you sneeze and get stuffy when you walk into a damp or musty house or basement or even a garage? I know my Rick gets really stuffy. He cannot even walk into an antique store when I shop for old records or books. Cleaning out the garage in Virginia was a task.



2. Raking leaves during and after Autumn creates severe mold allergies from the leaves fallen on the ground



3. Do you feel sick when you return to or clean out a summer home? This will be a problem when opening the house in Fire island as it has been closed since November.



4. Do you feel sick when around hay or a barn? I wish I had a farm with a barn. Sounds crazy, but not to me!


5. Do damp seasons make you feel miserable?


6. Does gardening or planting make you feel stuffy? Often there is a lot of mold in the moist garden soil.


MOLD IS EVERYWHERE! These single cell fungi are all over the world. Fungal spores (the reproductive part of the organism) are airborne. Mold is prevalent in moist warm climates but is also common in cold environments. Environmental mold is of great concern. A book called Fungus Causes Cancer has alarming theories and postulates. Mold is in air conditoning units and ducts, in carpets , in plaster boards and even drywall. It can be hard to eradicate. Sometimes it can be seen in the kitchen or bathroom. Wear a mask if you are attempting to clean up visible mold.


Mold causes disease. This will be discussed at a later date. But you can prevent mold in your home by:


1. Using a ventilation system to bring fresh filtered air



2. Seal air leaks to block entry of microbes and pollen


3. Make sure the walls and attics are insulated



4. Vacuum frequently



5. Take off wet shoes before entering your home



6. Do not leave wet towels lying around



7. Watch for mold in the bathroom



8. Prevent leaks in your roof and in the basement



9. Ventilate all areas of your home



Beware of mold! There are special mold doctors



Until tomorrow..

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