What is Esophagitis?
Esophagitis is an inflammation that may damage the tissues of the esophagus. It makes it difficult to swallow food and can be caused by infection, allergies, oral medications, etc.
What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
This is a chronic immune system disease. Here, eosinophil (a type of white blood cell) builds up in the lining of the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This is due to a reaction to allergens, food, or acid reflux and can damage the esophageal tissue. Eosinophilic esophagitis can be very painful and uncomfortable as it can lead to difficulty in swallowing food.
Types of Esophagitis
The common forms of esophagitis are:
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
It is a chronic immune system disease that is caused by too many eosinophils present in the esophagus. This happens when the body over-responds to food or allergens. It can make eating difficult for children. Some common triggers include peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, milk, etc. - Reflux Esophagitis
This generally happens due to a condition called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). It occurs when stomach fluids like acids back up into the esophagus frequently and can cause chronic inflammation of the esophagus. - Drug-Induced Esophagitis
This can occur when a person takes certain medications without sufficient water. This can cause medications to linger in the esophagus for too long. Such medications include potassium chloride, antibiotics, etc. - Infectious Esophagitis
It is a rare condition that can be caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, or parasites. You can be at a high risk from this type of esophagitis if your immune system is weakened by medications or diseases. Infectious esophagitis is common in people with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or HIV.
Symptoms of Esophagitis
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Heartburn
- Acid reflux
- Chest pain
- Food getting stuck in the esophagus
Causes of Esophagitis
- Medicines like aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS)
- Allergies
- Medical procedures like radiation therapy
- Chronic vomiting
Also read: MYCOTOXINS TOXICITY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
How is Esophagitis Diagnosed?
- Barium X-ray: After the patient drinks a barium solution (barium coats the lining of the esophagus and makes it visible on x-ray), an x-ray is taken of the esophagus. This allows the doctor to view any abnormality in the esophagus.
- Endoscopy: A flexible, long, and lighted tube (endoscope) is used to view the esophagus.
- Biopsy: A mini sample of the esophageal tissue is removed and sent to the lab for examination under a microscope.
How Long Does Esophagitis Last?
In most cases, healthy people take around two to four weeks to improve with proper treatment.
Also read: Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention & Treatment
What is the Fastest Way to Treat Esophagitis?
The treatment for esophagitis mainly lessens the symptoms, manage complications, and treats the main cause for it. Treatment can vary depending on the cause of the disorder.
Are you suffering from esophagitis and need treatment? We at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine have a group of experts at your service. Call us at 843-572-1600 to book an appointment now.
Indoor exposure to black mold, or any other mold, has not been linked to cancer. However, mold is linked to various other health issues.
Mold can grow anywhere where moisture is found. Mold spores fly through the air to enter homes and other structures, and as a result, we may breathe them in at times. This can aggravate allergies and asthma and induce upper respiratory symptoms when present in high quantities for a long time in our bodies.
Read on to learn more about black mold, different varieties of mold, and who are most vulnerable to them.
Types of Dangerous Mold and Their Relation to Cancer
There are several dangerous and toxic molds found in our surroundings. Two of them are regarded as extremely dangerous and related to cancer.
Black mold and cancer
Stachybotrys chartarum, often known as black mold, or Stachybotrys atra, has a reputation for being a toxic mold. Satratoxin, a form of mycotoxin produced by black mold, is a toxic chemical that can cause disease in some people, but black mold and lung cancer haven’t been linked to it yet.
Aspergillus and cancer
Molds in this category produce aflatoxins, which are toxic components that can make you feel very ill and lead to liver cancer if you ingest them too much. Rather than inhaling, this mold enters your body through digestion.
Mold can grow in a variety of places, including your home. Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Alternaria are other dangerous molds found.
Also read: MYCOTOXINS TOXICITY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Mold Toxicity Symptoms
The adverse effects of short-term mold exposure are different for every person. If you’re allergic or sensitive to mold, you’re more likely to experience severe symptoms.
Symptoms in general include:
- sinus and nasal congestion
- nasal irritation
- itchy, watery eyes
- red eyes
- blurry vision
- trouble breathing
- coughing
- sore throat
- sneezing
- nosebleeds
- asthma attacks (if you have asthma)
What Are the Risks of Mold Exposure?
Some people are completely unaffected, while others are more sensitive. If you have a mold allergy, you may experience severe symptoms such as lung inflammation.
According to the CDC, the Institute of Medicine found sufficient evidence associating indoor mold and wet indoor settings in general, with:
- Symptoms of the upper respiratory tract in healthy adults
- Symptoms in people suffering from asthma
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in vulnerable people
Furthermore, lung cavities can be infected with Aspergillus niger if you have emphysema, TB, or severe sarcoidosis. Invasive aspergillosis is a more serious reaction in which the infection spreads from the lungs to the brain, heart, and kidneys. This is more likely to happen in persons with a weaker immune system.
What Type of Cancer Does Mold Cause?
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by some varieties of this mold that can make you sick and even cause liver cancer. That usually comes from eating it rather than breathing it in.
Who’s at Risk?
People with the following conditions are at the biggest risk:
- allergies
- asthma
- a chronic lung disease
- cancer treatment
- intaking strong drugs and medicines
- organ or stem cell transplant
Also read: MOLD ON FOOD: IS MOLDY FOOD DANGEROUS?
How Do You Keep Mold Out of Buildings and Home?
Mold growth can be slowed down in your home and building by performing the following:
- Controlling humidity levels.
- Repair the leaking roofs, windows, and pipes as quickly as possible.
- Thoroughly cleaning and drying after floods.
- Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking facilities.
Call us at 843-572-1600 or make an appointment with one of our mold toxicity expert doctors now if you are seeking the best mold treatment near you. We have a team of professionals at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine who can help you with all of your health-related issues.
What is Mycotoxin Toxicity?
Mycotoxin toxicity is a poisoning caused by mycotoxins found in mold (fungi) that grow on food like cereals, dry fruits, and coffee beans when left exposed to air for a long time. While the signs of mycotoxin toxicity vary depending on several factors, but acute poisoning symptoms include rashes and gastrointestinal issues. Chronic symptoms are manifested through kidney disease, liver failure, depression, and even cancer.
What are Mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic compounds by certain types of molds (fungi) found in various food articles. These molds grow under warm, damp, and humid conditions. There are different kinds of mycotoxins that pose serious health risks to humans.
Common Signs of Toxic Mold Poisoning
The risk of poisoning may vary according to age, sex, prior health status, genetic structures, as well as the dose of mycotoxins, and the duration of exposure. Different mycotoxins target different organ systems, but the most commonly affected are the liver, kidney, brain, and nervous systems.
Here are a few signs of toxic mold poisoning:
- Depression
- Anemia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Kidney failure
Mycotoxins Commonly Found in Food and Why They are Concerning
Among the most commonly found mycotoxins, aflatoxins are known to be the most dangerous. Found in cereals, grains, spices, and nuts, large aflatoxin doses can be fatal.
The two other common mycotoxins include:
- Ochratoxin A, found in cereals, coffee beans, and grape juice
- Patulin, found in rotten fruits such as apples.
Also read : Genital Herpes: Symptoms, Causes and How to Treat It
How are Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins Different?
Aflatoxins are a kind of mycotoxin. The primary difference between aflatoxin and mycotoxin is the source. The former is only produced by aspergillus species, while the latter can be produced by many types of molds. Aflatoxins are the most poisonous mycotoxins which can cause severe health issues in humans and animals, including death.
Mycotoxins and Gut Health
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is greatly affected by the ingestion of food contaminated by mycotoxins. Normally, the intestinal barrier in the GI tract acts as a filter against mycotoxins. However, some mycotoxins can severely affect the GI tract by altering normal intestinal functions like barrier function and nutrient absorption.
Trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, and ochratoxins are some of the impacts of mycotoxins on gut health.
Also read : Mold and Dampness: How Mold Affects Your Health
How to Minimize the Risk of Mycotoxins?
We must keep in mind that mycotoxins can grow on any food product and can penetrate deep into them. To reduce the risk of mycotoxins toxicity, you should remember the following:
- Examine the foods for signs of molds before eating, especially the types of food that are more prone to being contaminated with mycotoxins.
- Avoid keeping food unattended in the open air for long before consuming.
- Make sure to buy fresh nuts and grains always.
Key Facts You Should Know About Mycotoxins
- Only a few kinds of molds create the chemical mycotoxin.
- While acute mycotoxin poisoning is more evident through noticeable symptoms, chronic toxicity is more common and has long-term repercussions.
- Mycotoxin molds grow on different crops and food items like nuts, cereals, spices, dried fruits, apples, etc., under humid conditions.
If you suspect mycotoxin poisoning, do seek immediate treatment. Schedule an appointment with us at (843) 572-1600. We have a group of expert doctors specializing in mycotoxins and mold toxicity treatments who can help relieve the symptoms and prevent further health damage.
Household mold is more than just an eyesore, whether it’s the slippery black spots on your shower curtain, the fuzzy white patches on your basement floor, or the smooth orange film that accumulates on your kitchen drain. You may have health issues that could have been triggered by mold regardless of whether you are allergic or not. Here’s what you need to know about mold and dampness and how to protect yourself and your house.
What is Mold?
Mold is a form of fungus composed of microscopic organisms found practically everywhere. Molds perform a crucial function in nature by decomposing dead leaves, plants, and trees.
How Does Mold Grow?
Mold reproduces by producing tiny spores. They thrive in damp conditions and reproduce by dispersion through the air and water. For energy, they rely on organic matter.
What Can Mold Grow On and How Common Is Mold in Buildings?
Mold tends to grow on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold may develop in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, cloth, and upholstery, among other things. As a result, they are highly frequent in buildings and residences.
Also read: Mold On Food: Is Moldy Food Dangerous?
How Does Mold Affect the Surfaces It Grows On?
Mold consumes the materials it grows on, causing those materials to be damaged or deteriorate. Mold may cause aesthetic damage, including discoloration, unpleasant smells, and even structural degeneration of surfaces if left unchecked.
Can You Get Fungal Pneumonia from Mold?
Aspergillus, a mold present in many indoor and outdoor habitats, is one of the most common airborne fungi. Aspergillosis, the resultant illness, frequently affects patients with severe immunodeficiency.
What Types of Mold are on Exterior Surfaces?
It’s very difficult to identify the type of mold, but some of the most common ones are;
- Aspergillus – Found almost everywhere.
- Penicillium – Found in vinyl, paneling, wood, painted masonry, and poured concrete foundations.
- Cladosporium – Found on external surfaces like vinyl siding, glass surfaces, windows, many types of wood, and paneling.
- Trichoderma – Found in untreated lumber, pinewood and boards, decaying wood, and textiles.
How does Mold Affect Your Health?
Molds create allergens (compounds capable of causing an allergic reaction), irritants, and, in certain cases, poisonous substances. Mold spores can produce allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash if inhaled or touched. Molds can also trigger asthma episodes.
Also read: OSTEOPOROSIS: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, PREVENTION & TREATMENT
Mold Reactions: Who’s at Risk?
Allergy sufferers may be more vulnerable to mold. Fungal infections are more common in people with a weakened immune system or underlying lung disease. People with chronic respiratory illnesses may have trouble breathing when mold is present.
How Can You Keep Mold Out of Buildings and Homes?
- You can control the development of mold by following these points:
- Regulating humidity levels;
- Repairing leaking roofs, windows, and pipes as soon as possible;
- After floods, thoroughly clean and dry the area;
- Shower, laundry, and culinary spaces to be ventilated.
If you are looking for an expert on mold illnesses and mold poisoning treatment near you, call us at 843-572-1600 or schedule an appointment today. At the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, we have a team of professionals who have solutions for all your health-related problems.
Osteoporosis, also known as ‘porous bone’, is a disease in which bones get so brittle that they get fractured easily with the slightest stress or a fall. This disease occurs due to low bone mass and less bone turnover. Osteoporosis predominantly affects the hip, wrist, and spine, and though it is a multifactorial disorder, some underlying causes can be ascertained.
Food can be spoiled by mold. Moldy food has undesirable texture and taste and can even have apparent physical changes. Some of the molds are dangerous for your body as they produce harmful toxins, which can cause respiratory problems and various allergic reactions.
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections around the world. It is a health problem that affects the patient’s whole life and occurs with relapses and remissions.
Panic attacks are abrupt surges of overwhelming fear or anxiety. The person having a panic attack experiences symptoms like profuse sweating, palpitations, trembling or shaking, chest pain, trouble breathing, or stroke. Panic attacks are sudden and often without an identifiable source. The symptoms are intense and may result in unconsciousness.
An estimated 74 million United States women between 15-44 years are of reproductive age. However, the newborn mortality rate has been greater than in most other high-income countries in the past decade. It’s estimated that most infant deaths in the United States stem from prematurity and congenital disabilities. U.S. women aged 18 to 44 face various preconception risk factors that impact maternal and infant health. Almost 50% of these females are regarded as overweight, 19% are active smokers, 10% have hypertension, and 3% are diabetes patients.
Eczema is a condition in which patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, rough, and sometimes even cause blisters. Scientists are now slowly understanding the role of the human microbiome in the appearance of chronic conditions like eczema.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neurodevelopmental disorder in children. It is usually detected in childhood and mostly continues into adulthood. Children with ADHD may find it challenging to pay attention, control their impulsive behavior, or be extremely active.