Two years of severe hurricane hits along the Gulf Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in the Northeast are providing a nationwide breeding ground for indoor mold and mildew growth (some deadly) now that summer heat is here. What is the solution?
The subject is surrounded by controversy. The Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, as well as scientists and doctors at Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and several State Health Agencies have all looked at the problem. There have been several studies conducted by medical researchers over the past few years looking for any linkages between various respiratory and physical ailments and deaths and the presence of molds in our living space. While some say there is a linkage, others say the facts don’t support that.
Here are the facts. Mold is everywhere; inside and outside. Some molds are good (penicillin), some are very toxic and emit gases that can be inhaled (Stachybotrys “black mold”). Although some people apparently aren’t bothered by mold, all varieties have the potential to cause illness. Mold reproduces by generating spores that are released into the air, where they land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any organic surface such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in dark, warm, moist locations, like under carpets, inside walls and ceilings. They will also contaminate items that come in contact with those surfaces.
Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in many. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and nosebleeds are common. These are the mild symptoms. Many researchers claim that mold can attack several main body systems, including the brain, central nervous and immune systems and have been the direct cause of some deaths. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, who wants to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores from household fungus? They can lodge in your lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). Asthmatics, infants and individuals suffering immune system deficiencies are particularly susceptible.
So, what should you do if you think that your home might have a mold/mildew problem? Here’s a suggested 5 step process:
• Mold Inspection- retain a qualified, certified mold inspection firm to evaluate your home and determine cause of mold and severity of infestation.
• Isolation of the Area- if there is a mold problem, you will want to isolate the area carefully to prevent carryover into non infested areas during clean up.
• Clean Up/Remediation- care should be taken to not stir up the mold; if it is severe, or in the walls, a specialized remediation firm (in space suits) may have to be used and materials removed in hazardous waste containers.
• Repair of the Cause- if there is structural damage or leaky plumbing causing a moisture problem, fix it.
• Maintenance/Prevention- an ongoing program to ensure no recurrence of the cause and use of proven purification technology to maintain a clean environment and kill mold growth.
On this last point, emphasis is placed on use of technology that has a proven track record of mold abatement. HEPA filters and electrostatic filters that are called purifiers are not effective on mold/mildew. There is, however, affordable, proprietary and safe technology currently available that has a demonstrated ability to sanitize surfaces from a variety of microbials and to stop mold/mildew growth. This effective technology has become widely accepted since it’s use by the government during the 9/11 Pentagon cleanup, is currently in use in several government facilities and is available to the general public through an authorized dealer network. For more information visit www.freshair2u.info
By: Bruce Bley
Idiopathic central sleep apnea syndrome (ICSAS) is completely different than obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is the more common sleep apnea condition that most of us have heard of before in the past. Idiopathic central sleep apnea is still not as fully understood as obstructive sleep apnea, but through research it is understood that there are abrupt increases in breathing in which there becomes an arterial CO2 reduction. Sort of like hyperventilation.
It is suggested that it is caused by the way the brain controls breathing. This is not a very common form of sleep apnea and there is still much to learn about it. What we do know is that it is usually found in people who are very ill. If you have had a stroke that has affected the brainstem then there is a possibility that you could experience idiopathic this sleep apnea. The brainstem is where the body’s breathing is controlled, so if you have any injuries, lesions, etc that has affected the brainstem, then your chances of developing this disorder will increase.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of this sleep apnea is when you stop breathing for a temporary period of time, especially during nocturnal hours. If a neurological condition is the cause of the this sleep apnea then you could experience other symptoms like: change in voice, difficulty swallowing, feeling week or numb throughout the body and this all depends on what nerves and what part of the nervous system has been affected.
Prognosis
The prognosis for Idiopathic this sleep disorder is actually very favorable with the proper treatment. If you have been diagnosed with this form of sleep disorder then follow through with the treatment program that your physician recommends.
Premature infants who have an underdeveloped brain and reflex systems are at a high risk of developing this sleep disorder. In the end, these infants, will usually outgrow their diagnosis and continue to live a normal, healthy life.
A person who continually takes central respiratory depressant drugs is also at risk of developing this sleep disorder. These drugs include things such as alcohol, opiates, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and benzodiazepines. Usually if the person experiences an episode where they stop breathing they will be an altered state of consciousness or be asleep.
Conclusion
Sleep issue, no matter what form, can be dangerous. If you experience any of the symptoms that are related to any type of sleep issue, contact your physician. There are tests that can be preformed to help the physician to determine what your diagnosis should be. Like mentioned previously in this article, central sleep issue has a good prognosis if it is treated. As for the central respiratory depressant drugs that were mentioned, even if you have obstructive sleep issue, taking one of these drugs could trigger an episode that would result in central sleep issue. It is highly recommended that with no matter what form of sleep issue that you have, whether it is obstructive sleep issue or central sleep issue, stay away from central respiratory depressant drugs, unless prescribed by a physician.
By: Ashley McAdams
Valerian, a perennial native plant to North America, Europe, and Asia, contains a root stock which harbors many active compounds that herbalists believe give this plant an amazing medicinal value. Valerian’s effects can be both positive and negative, however, so we’ll talk about both the health benefits of Valerian and possible side-effects of Valerian in this article.
First and foremost, Valerian’s root stock has been shown to help fight insomnia in several cases. Promoting sleep, many people use this supplement to help rest easier at night. Valerian is not an addictive substance, and doesn’t lead to the usually groggy “Sleep Hangover” that some people feel when they take sleep aids. For this reason, its use is widely accepted. Another of the health benefits of Valerian root would be its ability to put the user in a calm and relaxed state, helping to alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety. Valerian has also been used for such tasks as alleviating headaches, relieving pain, improving menstrual flow and cramps, and also for helping irritable bowel syndrome.
The side effects of Valerian root are worth considering. Many experts tend to agree that a dose between 250 mg to 500mg per day is an adequate dose of this supplement. Possible side effects from taking overly high amounts of Valerian can include nausea, headaches, dizziness, grogginess, and palpitations of the heart. Very high dosages may also impair the liver and the central nervous system. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid Valerian since its effects on newborns have not been tested. Also, taking Valerian for stretches of longer than 2 weeks is not recommended.
Now that you know more about Valerian root, you can make a more informed decision about whether the health benefits of Valerian outweigh the possible risks of taking it.
By: John Gibb