Do you wake up feeling tired and groggy in the morning? Do you find yourself with a headache or brain fog? Do you have a dry mouth and struggle to do anything productive for the first few hours of the day? There are plenty of reasons this could be happening to you. Many people don’t realize in fact, just how many issues can potentially be affecting their health and well-being at any given time. These include everything from potential allergens in food, to contaminants in the water. But one of the most common culprits that so often goes overlooked, is mold. Mold can exist in a property without you being any the wiser. It has an unfortunate habit of growing in the darkest, dampest, and thus most inaccessible areas. You might think your home is perfectly clean and dry, only to learn that there is a huge amount of mold eating your floorboards, or hidden behind your wardrobe. You’re inhaling that mold all through the night as you sleep. And the consequences can be serious.

Health Issues Caused by Mold

Mold is a fungus that has a lot in common with edible mushrooms. And like those mushrooms, mold can often be toxic for humans. Some types of mold release what are known as “mycotoxins” into the air, and these can easily be inhaled by humans, or can cling to their skin. Unfortunately, mycotoxins can cause a number of serious health issues.

Black Mold

As mentioned, only certain types of mold will release mycotoxins and some types are certainly more harmful than others. Many people actually don’t realize that there are different types of mold at all! One of the most unwanted types of mold from a health perspective is black mold. Black mold is technically referred to as “stachybotyrs chartarum” and goes by the name “toxic mold.” That should give you some clue as to the nature of this mold! Inhalation of black mold has been shown to lead to conditions such as asthma and eczema. That’s right: not only will the mold exacerbate and worsen these existing conditions, but it can also actually cause them to arise where the individual had never experienced them before.

Other Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Other symptoms of mold exposure include: • Congestion/running nose • Cough • Difficulty breathing • Throat irritation • Sneezing • Tiredness • Headache Other more serious complications may also arise. One of the most worrying, is that mold can lead to a fungal infection. Some individuals may even experience serious allergic reactions that can be dangerous!

What to Do

If you find yourself feeling unwell and performing sub-optimally and you don’t know what the cause is, then you should speak with your GP and go through all the usual checks. But don’t rule out the other, less obvious causes. That includes looking for sources of mold that may actually be poisoning you in your sleep. Be sure to look in the darkest and dampest areas of your home, which includes behind curtains and furniture. If you smell a damp smell, then this will also suggest that you may have an issue with mold. If you find mold, or if you are certain, call a mold remediation service right away.