Is it Alzheimer’s or A Mold Infection?

We’re all familiar with the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease – confusion, loss of memory, trouble communicating, and difficulty with spatial abilities. But just because somebody exhibits some (or all) of these symptoms does not automatically mean they have Alzheimer’s disease.

Before taking yourself or a loved one to the doctor to get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, consider whether the culprit could actually be mold.

How Mold Can Impact the Brain

We’ve all been around mold at some point in our lives. It’s that gross-smelling build-up that makes itself at home in damp, humid parts of the house, like your shower or the dark corners of your basement.

In addition to being unseemly to look at and smell, mold can wreak havoc on your health when exposed to it for an extended period. Some molds produce mycotoxins, toxic compounds that can have damaging neurological effects when inhaled or ingested. These can cause inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of the brain you use for learning, memory, and your sleep cycle.

These mycotoxins can lead to brain malfunction, even to the point of mimicking aspects of Alzheimer’s. People who are exposed to mycotoxins for long periods can experience brain fog, confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Mold can also cause depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

The good news is these symptoms are not progressive, meaning they won’t necessarily continue to wear on your brain. They can improve and even completely disappear when you remove mold exposure and get medical treatment.

Differentiating Alzheimer’s from Mold-Related Neurological Issues

There are several ways to differentiate between Alzheimer’s and mold-related neurological issues. Here are some things to consider before jumping to a conclusion.

Age and Risk Factors

Alzheimer’s predominantly affects older adults, typically over the age of 65, and the risk increases with age. Mold-related neurological issues can occur at any age, depending on the level of exposure and individual sensitivity to mold.
So, if you are experiencing the above symptoms and are not in your 60s yet, you are more likely dealing with something other than Alzheimer’s.

Symptom Progression

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by gradual and irreversible progression. The symptoms typically worsen over time, leading to severe cognitive impairment. In contrast, mold-related neurological symptoms are often reversible. They tend to improve when you get away from the mold and allow your body to detoxify.
For example, if you feel better during your weeklong vacation only to come home and experience the same symptoms, you might be dealing with mycotoxins in your home.

Additional Allergic Reactions

You might have an allergic reaction to mold in addition to feeling neurological symptoms when you are around it. These can include skin rash, itchy eyes, and migraines. While people with Alzheimer’s can also suffer from allergies, if you are experiencing an allergic reaction in your home along with neurological symptoms, it could be from mold exposure.

Diagnosing Your Neurological Symptoms

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a long process that involves a comprehensive evaluation, including medical history, neurological exams, and brain imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans. There may also be tests to rule out other conditions.

Testing for mold is much simpler, faster, and more cost-effective. You can test your exposure to mycotoxins from the comfort of your home without needing to go to a lab with the MycoTOXmold profile.
This test can help you get to the root cause of your symptoms by screening for 11 different mycotoxins from 40 mold species, all from one urine sample. Don’t guess, test, make sure mold is not a threat to your brain health. Order yours today!

The information provided in this blog is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please discuss specific health conditions and concerns with your health care professional.

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References:
Bredesen, D. E. (2016, February). Inhalational Alzheimer’s disease: An unrecognized – and treatable – epidemic. Aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789584/
Harding, C. F., Pytte, C. L., & Page, K. G. (2019, November 18). Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159119303010?fbclid=IwAR1ofeyBUr7uwtcKfuC4trG1FUkgoDKYXAc_0ikBi8xAbpbft1gHluFcC4s
Tasfrir, J. (2017, August 3). Mold toxicity: A common cause of psychiatric symptoms. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/holistic-psychiatry/201708/mold-toxicity-common-cause-psychiatric-symptoms