Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome related to mold exposure? Although researchers have sought to identify the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, they have yet to make that discovery.
However, recent studies point to a relationship between mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Research on mold exposure remains scant. But it is an environmental trigger that causes symptoms and needs to be removed from your home.
Understanding the latest research involving the relationship between CFS and mold exposure is important to identify a potential diagnosis and treatment. Let’s take a deeper look at what we know.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Fatigue is a continual state of exhaustion that negatively impacts your mental health, concentration, and motivation. Many of us suffer some fatigue due to our busy modern lives. However, when the condition does not resolve with rest, then it can become chronic fatigue syndrome.
CFS, or Myalgic encephalomyelitis, is defined as fatigue that “worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.” The effects of exhaustion are so severe that simple daily tasks seem impossible to accomplish. With CFS, rest never helps. Internal energy levels remain depleted. Eventually, chronic exhaustion can lead to overall burnout in life, work, and relationships. A significant number of people suffering from CFS become housebound and/or bedridden.
Researchers hypothesize that around 2.5 million Americans suffer from CFS, and about 90 percent of those suffering from the condition have not been diagnosed. That sparks the question as to why so many are continuing to unknowingly suffer.
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome was first noticed in 1988 when researchers examined sick individuals during the epidemic at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Still, it took over 30 years for the medical establishment to name the condition. Even today, scientists and doctors don’t know exactly what causes the illness.
A few potential causes being considered are infections, immune system issues, hormonal imbalances, and trauma. Yet, scientists have not determined any concrete cause, and environmental triggers remain a potential culprit for causing CFS.
The lack of an underlying cause makes chronic fatigue syndrome difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. No test exists to identify the condition. And much of the diagnostic process involves ruling out other potential conditions like mononucleosis, Lyme disease, and depression. Essentially, it’s a disease of exclusion. If the chronic symptoms can’t be diagnosed as anything else, it just may be CFS. Once all of the other potential causes are ruled out, treatment for the condition can begin.
Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome
Without being able to pinpoint an underlying cause, treatment for CFS can be difficult. Managing the symptoms is the prime goal of achieving relief from CFS. Generally, the healthcare professional will work with the patient to determine which symptoms are the most difficult and create a plan to alleviate them.
For instance, if depression related to CFS is a concern, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants and therapy. If chronic pain is an issue, OTC pain relievers may help ease the inflammation. Creating better sleeping habits, activity management, and memory aids may also be advised. Still, there is no cure for CFS. Patients learn methods of coping.
Sometimes, the chronic symptoms do not respond to any treatment. Then it becomes important to ask if CFS is the underlying problem or whether environmental factors play a role. This potential relationship and the confusion between the conditions are why it’s important to understand mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome. Otherwise, misdiagnoses could be made and symptoms allowed to persist.
Before getting into mold exposure, it’s best to know what exactly mold is and how it can cause problems.
What is mold?
Scientists have identified over 100,000 species of mold, and they categorized mold into three groups: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic. Any mold has the potential to cause health problems.
As mold colonies grow, they release microscopic spores into the air. Some species of mold also produce microscopic toxins called mycotoxins. While these toxins are regulated in food, there are currently no regulations for acceptable levels of mycotoxins in the home. Adding to the potential health problems, bacteria may also flourish in areas where mold thrives.
Mold spores range from 1-20 microns and mycotoxins are around 0.1 microns. Mycotoxins are very tiny particles. A single micron is one-millionth of a meter. These particles are so minuscule that they’re further categorized as particulate matter. The EPA groups particulate matter into two groups, both of which are inhalable.
These categories are:
- PM: particles with diameters of 10 micrometers (microns) or less
- PM: fine particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less
The key thing to note is that spores, mycotoxins, and bacteria are inhalable and ingestible, making them serious environmental contaminants that can cause health problems due to exposure.
Mold exposure and health
Like chronic fatigue syndrome, the impact of mold exposure on health continues to be researched. Factors such as genetics, immune system status, species of mold, presence of mycotoxins, and length of exposure all play a role.
Scientists know that people with preexisting conditions, compromised immune systems, and developing immune systems are at greater risk of developing symptoms from mold exposure. A genetic disposition may also exist. Those who carry the HLA-DR gene struggle to recover from mold and other toxin exposures. This specific gene inhibits the immune system from recognizing which cells belong in your body and which cells do not, allowing for foreign particles like mold spores and toxins to build up.
Thus, no two people have the same experience, which makes it difficult to predict who may develop symptoms. One person may develop just chronic fatigue and an occasional runny nose, while another may experience severe chronic fatigue and 13 other symptoms.
In general, mold exposure has the potential to cause symptoms. You should frequently inspect your home for mold to avoid this indoor contaminant.
The impact of indoor mold growth
When you encounter mold particles, spores or toxins throughout the day, your immune system eliminates them. Typically, a few particles throughout a single day aren’t a problem. However, when mold thrives in your home, they produce more than just a few particles per day. The spores and mycotoxins float along with the flow of indoor air to every part of your home. And, they will land on various surfaces.
While mycotoxins and some species of mold are naturally toxic and can trigger symptoms quickly, any species of mold has the potential to cause issues. Prolonged exposure can cause the immune system to overreact and malfunction.
In addition to CFS, mold exposure can exacerbate Lyme disease, Candida, and Epstein-Barr Virus. All indoor growth should be treated similarly: removed quickly and correctly to avoid mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome.
How could mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome be related?
While the research is limited, some studies show a link between mold exposure and CFS including:
A 2019 study surveyed CFS patients where 39.4% reported that their symptoms of post-exertional malaise were triggered by mold exposure.
In another study, urine samples were analyzed from 112 CFS patients and 93% were positive for at least one mycotoxin (one in the equivocal range). Almost 30% of the cases had more than one mycotoxin present. Exposure histories indicated current and/or past exposure to water-damaged buildings in over 90% of cases.
More research is necessary to pinpoint the exact causal relationship. Once we know more, doctors can work to create better treatments. Establishing a connection will also assist in highlighting the importance of considering environmental factors as the root causes of chronic illness.
The symptom similarity between mold exposure and CFS
The primary common symptom between mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome is continuous fatigue. But, compare the two lists of symptoms and see the similarities.
Chronic Fatigue Symptoms Include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood shifts
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
- Sore throat
- Digestive issues
- Chills and night sweats
- Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, light, or noise
- Muscle weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
Mold Exposure Symptoms Include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood shifts
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
- Sore throat
- Digestive issues
- Chills and night sweats
- Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, light, or noise
- Muscle weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
The lists look similar, don’t they? Both conditions can result in the exact same symptoms, showing how intertwined the two can be. Still, chronic fatigue is the underlying condition.
Mold and fatigue
Mold can trigger fatigue in a variety of ways.
One of the main causes of this debilitating exhaustion involves the mitochondria, aka the powerhouse of the cell. When something inhibits the ability of the mitochondria to create energy, the body will experience fatigue. Mycotoxins disrupt normal cellular energy action. These microscopic toxins have been shown to disrupt the normal functioning of mitochondria. Decreased oxygenation is another way that mold exposure can trigger fatigue, and it can occur in a variety of ways.
These include:
- Respiratory problems like pneumonia can limit the amount of oxygen you can take in
- The white blood cells released to fight off mold particles reduce the amount of space for red blood cells, resulting in decreased blood flow and oxygen
In addition, mycotoxins can cause neurotransmitter imbalances because they cross the blood-brain barrier. This imbalance results in lower dopamine levels, which have been linked to fatigue.
How to address mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome
If you are wondering whether or not mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome may be the root cause of your illness, or if you know mold is the problem, the first step is to determine where the exposure is coming from. Inspect the areas of your home that may be damp and musty first. Then inspect the rest of your home. If mold isn’t in the home, start looking at other areas such as office spaces and vehicles.
Mold inspection
A professional mold inspector will develop a detailed report of the status of the home that the remediation team will be able to use to decontaminate the indoor space. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, such as prior experience and any limitations they may have
A proper inspection should then take a few hours and use a variety of methodologies.
Some of the testing data you should expect to see is:
- Species of mold present
- Quantities of each mold
- Potential spore presence in the HVAC system
- Presence of mycotoxins
- Presence of bacteria
- Remediation
From there, the remediation team should be able to use this information to come up with a plan to properly remediate the home. Like mold inspectors, though, not all remediation companies are built the same.
That includes being able to remove other contaminants such as mycotoxins and bacteria, which are more difficult to remove than just mold. As shown earlier, mycotoxins can directly result in symptoms such as chronic fatigue. To avoid this, a remediation team should adhere to three pillars for success.
The three steps to take are:
- Remediate the sources properly.
- Identify and address the problems that led to those sources in the first place.
- Eradicate all contamination created by those sources, including toxins and bacteria.
If any checkmark isn’t completed, the mold growth could come back or contamination could remain when the remediation team leaves. Either situation is a failed remediation and can result in those suffering from mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome continuing to experience symptoms.
When the team is done, the space should no longer have the source that led to the mold and all contaminants should be removed.
Healing the body
Once the indoor space is taken care of, detoxifying the body from all of the harmful particles will be next. The healing process should start in a clean and healthy space. If remediation can’t occur or is being held up, that means moving out is the best option. The body can’t heal when it’s constantly being exposed to contaminants.
From there, finding a doctor that understands mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome and how to detox properly is key. Not all medical professionals are well-versed in environmental contaminants, so working with someone familiar with the process can help make sure that healing actually does occur. This individual should also be aware of how to work with the testing results received from the mold inspector to help determine exactly what’s going on inside the body and what steps need to be taken to get the body back in balance.
Those particles and toxins can remain trapped within the body and require dedication and patience to fully remove them. Just remember that healing is possible and that detox protocols aren’t one-size-fits-all. It can take a bit of trial and error to determine what fits each unique body best.
Maintaining a clean environment
Once you have addressed the mold in your home, you need to keep the spaces clean and safe. You need to proactively work to prevent mold growth to maintain an environment with minimal contamination.
Prevention helps remove mold spores from an indoor environment, lowering the chances that they’ll stumble into a habitable environment. It also helps remove the components needed for growth. Mold growth needs two main ingredients for life: food and water. Given these, a spore can transition into a mold colony in 24–48 hours. By eliminating these two things, any lucky spore that makes its way inside never gets a chance to grow.
Steps to prevent indoor mold growth include:
- Maintaining indoor humidity between 30-50%³⁰
- Creating airflow by turning on the exhaust fans
- Cracking a door or window while showering
- Deep cleaning regularly
- Maintain appliances such as the dishwasher, refrigerator, and washing machine
- Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner
- Investing in air purification
- Regularly inspecting moldy hotspots
Servicing the HVAC
- Make sure the exhaust ducts don’t pump the moist air into the attic
- Fixing leaks immediately
- Keeping windows and doors closed on humid days
- Purchasing a dehumidifier if needed
- Inspect exterior windows and doors for any gaps from loose caulking or cracks
- Take a look at the grading around the outside of the home to make sure it’s not sloped towards the house
This list is a great way to get started on a safe indoor environment.
Final thoughts
Because research is lacking about how our indoor spaces can impact our health, the relationship between mold exposure and chronic fatigue syndrome may have never crossed your mind. To live healthy lives, we need to create and maintain an awareness of factors such as environmental contaminants. Otherwise, you might live with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and never experience relief.
Eventually, this shift in mentality will occur. The more we talk about mold and related conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, the more we can work on helping people find relief. No one should continue to feel chronically ill because of the state of their indoor environment. Especially when that contamination triggering symptoms can be removed.
Make sure to always consider environmental factors when determining the root cause of symptoms. And, make sure to focus on trying to find the root cause, not just relying on medication to alleviate the symptoms.