How Are Chest Pains Diagnosed
Chest pain caused by seasonal allergies can be difficult to diagnose because the condition shares common symptoms with serious diseases like heart disease and pneumonia. Fortunately, there are several ways to diagnose chest pain from seasonal allergies accurately.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a chest X-ray or CT scan to rule out other serious conditions like a heart attack. Doctors might also recommend allergy testing. Allergy testing can help pinpoint the allergens triggering your symptoms.
The easiest way to find out your allergy triggers is by taking Wyndlys at-home allergy test. Take our test today to identify exactly what youre allergic to and find the best treatment plan for your allergies.
Mold And Your Lymph Nodes
When youre suffering health problems related to mold, lymph node swelling is common. People often refer to it as swollen glands and enlarged lymph nodes are a common symptom of any kind of infection, from the common cold to much more serious conditions. Well explain what causes lymph nodes to swell and tell you what to do if exposure to mold in your home is affecting your lymph nodes.
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Can Mold Exposure Cause Sinus Infections
Exposure to mold can also cause sinusitis. Some people are allergic to mold, which triggers sinus problems for them. Mold is also a fungus, and tiny mold spores drift around in the air, where they are easily inhaled. These mold spores irritate and inflame the linings of the sinus cavities, throat, airways, and lungs.
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How Can I Check For Mold
Its best to hire a professional to help you identify and remove mold, especially if youre allergic or vulnerable to it.
You should also consider hiring help if the mold covers more than 10 square feet or if its hidden behind wallpaper, ceiling tiles, or other areas.
Here are some steps for identifying and removing mold.
Is Mold Causing Your Sinus Infection
Sinus Infections
If you suffer from chronic sinus infections youre not alone. It is estimated that over 37 million people in the United States currently suffer from some sort of sinusitis. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of people making an appointment at one of North Atlanta ENT & Allergys three offices.
How Mold Causes Sinus Infections
Some individuals are more prone to being affected by sinusitis caused by mold. This is because they possess a gene in their DNA that makes them more susceptible to the effects of mold, which are usually symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
When a mold fungus finds its way into the sinus cavity, the immunity in the body reacts by releasing a chemical known as oesinophils to fight the fungi. This substance is what causes fungal sinusitis and will cause irritation for as long as the fungi are within the sinus.
In addition, since fungi thrive in damp and dark environments, it can be difficult to get rid of the infection since the sinus cavity is the perfect host environment.
Symptoms of Fungal Sinusitis
- Swellings in the nasal cavity
Please note that these symptoms may be a sign of either acute or chronic sinusitis.
Distinguishing between Fungal Sinus and Bacterial or Viral Sinus
While it may not be easy to tell the difference between a fungal sinus infection and bacterial or viral sinus infection, it is not entirely impossible.
There are two known tests carried out by an otolaryngologist to identify the type of infection:
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Who Is At Risk
The infection can happen to anyone at any age. Most people will come into contact with the fungus at some point in their everyday lives. But youre more likely to get sick if you have a weakened immune system because of a medication youre taking or because you have a health condition like:
- Diabetes, especially when it isnt under control
- High levels of iron in your body
- Bad health from poor nutrition
- Uneven levels of acid in your body
- Premature birth or low birth weight
Its also more likely if you have a skin injury like a burn, cut, or wound. And cases have been reported in people with COVID-19.
Mucormycosis isnt contagious.
What Causes Mould To Grow Indoors
Mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture on a surface or humidity in the air. Common causes include:
- leaky roofs and walls including and blocked gutters and downpipes
- condensation from cooking, showering, clothes drying and from breathing in areas with poor air circulation eg cupboards and corners and furniture against uninsulated outside walls. Avoid conditions encouraging mould growth, by using heat, insulation and ventilation. The cheapest and easiest way of reducing moisture and humidity levels is by ventilating a room by opening a door or window. Use exhaust fans where available.
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Can Mold Cause Sinus Infections
Do you experience sinus problems throughout the year, regardless of what season it is? It is common for people to suffer from pollen allergies in the springtime or even from a common cold, however, if you have chronic, year-round sinus problems, or if you are experiencing allergies in the fall, you may have a sinus infection as a result of exposure to mold. Thats right: Not only does mold smell bad and have an unsightly appearance, it can also be detrimental to your health.
Mold is found everywhere, both outdoors and indoors, from rotting wood to basements, to bathrooms. It can fester in parts of your room without you realizing it, and on top of that, it can be tricky to get rid of. In this article, we will review how to identify a sinus infection, how they are caused, and why mold can cause sinus infections. Finally, we will advise on what you should do if you have sinusitis caused by mold. Mold can grow in newly built houses as well as older ones. While finding mold in your home is stressful and suffering from a sinus infection caused by mold is unpleasant, BIOSWEEP® of Alabama offers Mold Away Services to affordably and efficiently get rid of any mold problem.
The Effects Of Black Mold On Infants
Fact Checked
According to a study by the Mayo Clinic in 1999, nearly all chronic sinus infections are the result of mold 2. Mold is a tenacious substance that takes root in the presence of moisture. According to the Centers for Disease Control, There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces. If you have mold in your home, your respiratory health and that of any small children or infants might be at risk.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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How Do Allergies Cause Chest Pains
Seasonal allergies affect everybody differently. The resulting reactions can lead to uncomfortable side effects, including chest pain. Chest pain can be a mild symptom, or it can be extremely severe and require attention. Lets explore the most common ways you can get chest pains from seasonal allergies.
Does Mold Cause Sinus Infections
Does Mold Cause Sinus Infections?
Two of the most common respiratory conditions are asthma and sinusitis.
Our previous article documented the link between mold and asthma.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with information pertaining to research on the link between mold and sinus infections.
If you have asthma, sinusitis, or other respiratory conditions, please explore the possibility that mold may be the cause.
Medications and treatment can only be effective if it deals with the cause of the health condition.
In short, if the root cause of your health problems are mold, then the only way to get healthy is to do something about the mold concern.
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Causes Of Damp And Mould
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames.
A newly built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out for example, in the plaster on the walls. Excess moisture indoors can also be caused by condensation.
If you have mould or damp it’s important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home. When you know what’s causing the damp, you can make sure your home is repaired or take steps to limit the moisture in the air. You may need to get a professional to remove mould for you, but if it’s only a small amount you may be able to remove it yourself.
What Can Trigger A Sinus Infection
Several factors can increase your risk of getting a sinus infection:
- A previous cold.
- Seasonal allergies.
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Structural problems within the sinuses
What antibiotics treat fungal sinus infection?
Antifungal medications can be used as well, but usually not without a surgery. There have been some studies that indicate that antifungal medications called azoles, such as itraconazole, can be useful in treating allergic fungal sinusitis.
How do I know if my sinus infection is bacterial or fungal?
Viral Sinus Infections One of the main ways to tell that you are suffering from a viral infection and not a bacterial infection is by looking at the duration of your condition. If you experience sinusitis symptoms that last longer than 10 days, its more likely that you have a bacterial infection.
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Drinking Fluids For Healthy Sinuses
What and how much you drink can promote or disrupt good sinus health. “To keep the mucus produced in your sinuses flowing smoothly, you need to drink enough water,” says Kelleher. “For some people, dairy products can cause mucus to thicken up, and that may cause sinus pressure and congestion.” Drinking alcohol, especially red wine and beer, can also cause sinus pressure and congestion. Avoiding these beverages when you have sinus problems, and drink at least six glasses of water every day to help keep sinus mucus thin and mobile.
How Does Mould Affect Health
Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions.
People who are more susceptible to these symptoms and other serious health effects include those with:
- weakened immune systems
- chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung diseases.
You should seek medical advice if you are concerned about the effects of mould.
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How Mold Causes Allergies
It’s a type of fungus that serves an important function in the natural world: It breaks down dead plant matter. Unlike plants, molds donât have seeds. Instead, they grow and spread through spores. The tiny mold spores are what cause an allergic reaction in some people. But only a few types of mold actually cause allergies.
Keep Outdoor Mold Out Of Your Home
Most exposure to molds happens outside. But spores from the outdoors can get into your home through windows and doors and on your shoes and clothing.
- Keep your doors and windows closed when outdoor mold spore counts are high. Use an air conditioner with a HEPA filter instead.
- Leave your shoes at the door so you donât track it through your home.
- Take a shower and change your clothes after spending time outside.
- Clean and vacuum regularly. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to catch small particles and dust.
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Talking To Your Doctor About Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss generally occurs gradually over time so people are not always aware they are losing their hearing, at least initially. Loss of hearing related to ear infections usually develops much more quickly and is usually quite apparent. In either case, you should talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- You cant hear as well as you used to
- You have to ask people to repeat things frequently
- You have to turn the television up louder than usual
- You have trouble following a conversation if there is a lot of background noise
- You have trouble understanding people when talking on the phone
- You experience a ringing sensation in one or both ears, or hear buzzing, hissing, roaring or clicking sounds in one or both ears
- People ask you if youre having trouble hearing, comment on the volume of your television, or tell you that you are speaking too loudly
Your doctor will ask you questions about your hearing and ask about any other symptoms you may be experiencing. Your doctor will also examine your ears with an otoscope. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you have been experiencing, including pain in your ears, headache, fever, sinus pain or pressure, a stuffy nose, a cough, dizziness or fatigue. Also let your doctor know if youve been exposed to mold.
Actions You Can Take To Reduce Mould
The most important actions you can take to prevent mould in your home are those that minimise moisture.
- Fix leaky plumbing and roofs and other building faults
- Ensure gutters are cleared and maintained
- Reduce condensation by using exhaust fans, or open windows in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher
- Wipe up excess water caused by condensation such as on single glazed windows and on shower glazing
- Air the home regularly by opening windows and doors on warmer days
- Vent clothes dryers to the outside and clean lint filters according to the manufacturers instructions.
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Air Pollutants And Irritants
Contaminated air inside and outside your house can cause sinus problems. “Cigarette smoke and other air pollutants decrease the effectiveness of the mucociliary transport system in the nose and sinuses, which can result in swelling and congestion,” says Kelleher. Cigarette smoke both from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke contains chemicals and irritants that can make allergies worse and cause other sinus problems. Wood smoke, smog, fumes, and dust are other common sources of irritants.
Hurricane Harveys Mold May Be Affecting Your Sinuses
Chronic sinus got you down? The cause may be Hurricane Harvey and its lasting effects on Houstonians homes and workplaces. If you suffer from sinusitis, consider the following tips for eradicating mold to can might alleviate your chronic sinusitis and help keep new sinus infections at bay.
Twenty years ago, researchers assumed that all sinus infections were the result of either bacterial or viral infection. Today, scientists now recognize that when fungi such as mold enters the sinus cavity, a suppressed immune system is likely to have a strong adverse reaction, the result of which is fungal sinusitis. Fungi love damp, dark conditions, making the sinus cavity both a perfect environment for fungi to grow and a difficult place to eliminate it once its there. Research now shows that moldy homes and work environments are responsible for chronic sinus issues in as many as nine out of ten cases.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell the difference between sinus issues caused by fungi and those caused by viruses or bacteria. The symptoms of all three types of sinus infectionsheadaches, sinus pressure, congestion, and discolored dischargeare the same. Complicating matters, a sinus infection may be caused by a combination of two or even all three causes. However, if antibiotics havent eradicated your sinus problems and decongestants have little effect on your symptoms, its more likely that fungal sinusitis is the culprit behind your sinusitis.
Location
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Tips To Alleviate Your Sinusitis Condition
Chronic sinusitis patients should try to limit their exposure to mold spores, which can be challenging when you are outside. Monitor the weather for air quality alerts that report high levels of spores and pollen, and limit your outdoor activities.
You have greater control over your indoor environment where you can take some proactive actions to limit exposure to mold.
The number one question you need to answer is whether or not you have a mold problem in your home?
This can be determined with a mold inspection or air quality test.
In addition, here are some tips to optimize your indoor air quality for long term health:
- Maintain healthy humidity levels between 30% to 50% to minimize moisture and prevent mold growth.
- If you do find mold in your home, fix the moisture source which is the key ingredient mold needs to grow and then hire a professional to remove the mold.
- Maintain your HVAC system so that it is operating efficiently and circulating clean, healthy air. This is particular important in hotter climates where residents rely on air conditioning to reduce humidity and stay cool. You want to ensure that your air conditioner is not a source of mold contamination in your home, so yearly maintenance and professional inspections are highly recommended.