Mold’s Effects On Seniors’ Health

Mold in the home is not safe for anyone, but it is especially tough on seniors and those with weakened immune systems.

Your body has an army of millions of cells that fight the antigens that cause an illness called T-cells. As you age, your T-cells slow down and don’t work as well as they once did, lowering your immunities.

A weakened immune system sets the stage for mold antigens to invade your body. Mold can cause a myriad of health problems, and often the symptoms can be confused with similar illnesses.

Mold can Cause Arthritis

If you are older or have a weakened immune system along with arthritis, it is possible for the mold to be causing your arthritis. Fungal arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis in symptoms but often goes undiagnosed because the person has no idea they have mold in their home.

Learn About Fungal Arthritis Here

Mold and Your Chest, Lungs, and Breathing

Mold enters your body through the lungs and there is where most mold illnesses occur, including tightness in the chest, chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, upper respiratory infections that can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Learn more about lungs, breathing, and mold here

14 Possible Symptoms of Mold Exposure

There is really no way of telling if mold is affecting you until you identify you are exposed to mold. Here are 15 possible symptoms you could have from mold.

If you have any of the health issues below and have not been able to have your condition properly diagnosed or resolved, it might be worth your time to have your home inspected for mold and share those results with your health care provider.