Mold illness mimics dozens of other conditions, and is far more common than most people know.
Mold illness, caused by exposure to mycotoxins produced by toxic mold species, is one of the most underrecognized contributors to chronic illness in the United States. The EPA estimates that 30-50% of US buildings have damp conditions conducive to mold growth, making exposure far more common than most people realize. Mold can grow behind drywall after a plumbing leak, in HVAC systems, in basements, and in countless hidden locations that produce no visible warning.
Mycotoxins trigger a wide range of symptoms: fatigue, brain fog, respiratory problems, immune dysregulation, neurological symptoms, and hormonal disruption, closely mimicking conditions including autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr. Jaban himself recovered from mold toxicity and has helped thousands of clients identify and address mold as a primary root cause driver.
Did you know that the EPA estimates between 30-50% of all buildings in the USA have damp conditions that may encourage development of molds, and that mold causes billions of dollars worth of damage to crops and livestock every year? Whether it is growing on the grout in your shower, decomposing vegetables in the refrigerator, behind your drywall after a pipe leaked, or in the cracks of your basement foundation due to a flood, mold can have massive consequences for your health.
While mold and its spores are present everywhere all the time, the species, concentration, and overall health of the individual are what gives its presence the potential to be severely harmful. Mold can cause a plethora of symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Living in an environment with mold is extremely detrimental to your health, as it causes the body tremendous dysfunction!
Dr. Jaban Moore
The possibility of being misdiagnosed is common since the dangers of toxic mold are largely overlooked by the medical community. In truth, mold can cause a plethora of symptoms that are easily attributed to other conditions, making it one of the most common hidden root causes of complex chronic illness.
There are many ways to test for mold, and some are far more effective than others. ERMI testing (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) is a standardized, objective, DNA-based way of testing to identify and quantify mold indoors, analyzing settled dust to identify 36 different mold species. This is the most accurate and reliable type of testing available for indoor mold. HERTSMI-2 is similar but focuses on the 'big 5' mold species most associated with illness.
Professional remediation services often do free inspections using moisture meters and thermal guns to detect active mold colonization. Dr. Jaban strongly cautions against big box store mold kits, which do not measure spore concentration per unit of air and use inaccurate testing methods. Learn more about mold testing and next steps at the Redefining Wellness Center.