Stroke Risk From Mold

The link between mold and many health conditions, including allergies and asthma, has been proven and has led to concerted efforts to alert people to the risks of mold in homes. However, more data is required to definitively connect mold exposure to more serious conditions such as cancer, pulmonary hemorrhage in infants, as well as strokes, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Significance

• When a blood clot forms, it leads to the blockage of blood flow to the brain, by way of either an artery or a blood vessel. When this happens, brain damage occurs and depending on what area of the brain is affected, certain abilities of the body will be negatively affected as well. A stroke might only create a weakness in an arm or a leg, but the harsher cases might leave one side of your body completely paralyzed or damage your ability to speak.

Functions of Mold

• Mold breaks down dead matter and reproduces through tiny spores that float around the air, waiting to land on wet and damp surfaces. Through its growth, mold produces allergens and irritants as well as toxins. Mycotoxins are specifically relevant when examining the possible relationship between mold and strokes. These toxins can cause numerous health problems, or even death in some extreme cases.

Identification

• Mycotoxins can be found in most temperate environments, but most frequently in areas that possess a hot, humid climate. Exposure usually occurs as a result of ingestion, but may also occur by way of dermal contact and inhalation. The concentration of mycotoxins, the total amount of time exposed, as well as individual sensitivities to the metabolites are all important factors when determining the negative impact on health. It is important to remember the mycotoxins that are found in homes, offices, and schools are often at far too low of a concentration to trigger any health response at all.

Expert Insight

• It is a fact that toxigenic molds release mycotoxins that adversely affect human health, usually in the form of gastrointestinal and pulmonary disorders. According to Ebere C. Anyanwu of St Peter's Middle College House, writing for The Internet Journal of Toxicology in 2008, it has also been suggested that mycotoxins could negatively impact cholesterol metabolism through interactions with related enzymes, disruption of cellular supply, utilization of cholesterol, and bile acid synthesis; meaning that individuals exposed to mold may be at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Simply put, the mycotoxins supposedly cause a build up in bad cholesterol (LDL), which then leads to blockages in the arteries as well as arterial diseases such as arterioscleroses; all of which are contributing causes of strokes.

Time Frame

• While high cholesterol levels in people chronically exposed to toxigenic molds have been observed, it has yet to be proven that there is a link between the two. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, further scientific studies are needed in order to detemine whether strokes, and various other serious health conditions, can be traced to mold exposure.