Asthma, scientifically known as Bronchial Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs. The airway through which a person essentially breathes becomes narrow and swollen and gets blocked by excess mucus. This causes difficulty in breathing. Common symptoms related to asthma are coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest.
Asthma affects more than 25 million people in the U.S. currently. This total includes more than 5 million children.
What is an asthma attack?
When the symptoms of asthma multiply, it can develop into an asthma attack. During an asthma attack one of the following three things could happen;
Bronchoconstriction or Tightning of Airways: The muscles around the air tighten which leads to the airways becoming narrow. As a result, air cannot move in or out of the lungs smoothly making it harder to breathe.
Inflammation of Airway: In individuals with asthma, the airways are already extremely sensitive and inflamed. When the airways are triggered due to environmental factors, they become even more inflamed making it difficult to breathe.
Mucus Production: Again, an individual with asthma suffers from excess mucus production, and due to environmental factors, when the airways get triggered, they start producing excess mucus to fight foreign triggers making it hard to breathe.
How dangerous is mold for asthma patients?
Mold is a type of fungi that can grow indoors and outdoors where there is enough moisture and dampness for it to thrive. If ignored, it spreads rapidly and can cover a whole kitchen, a bathroom wall, or a basement pretty quickly. Mold can cause allergies in humans who have had prolonged exposure to it. These allergies are caused when spores exhaled by the mold are inhaled by human beings. These allergies can then trigger asthma or in some cases develop asthma in kids.
There are many different causes of asthma. It can be hereditary, exercise-induced, smoking-related, obesity-related, or environmental factors such as air pollution-related, or as discussed above allergy-related. Some common allergens that are known to trigger asthma are include pollen, dander (from pets), and mold spores.
Mold and Asthma: According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “More than 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma”. They also state that “Childhood asthma has been linked to indoor mold growing in a child's home as a result of moisture problems such as water leaks.” So, mold might increase the risk of developing asthma in infants, toddlers, or kids exposed to mold. This happens when kids inhale spores exhaled by mold. These spores weaken the lungs and also the immune systems of kids.
Mold, a trigger for Asthma: Mold is widely known as a trigger for asthma. When people with asthma come in contact with mold or mold spores, their already sensitive airways get inflamed and become narrow and tight. This worsens the asthma symptoms and develops into an asthma attack.
How to Prevent Mold Growth?
Maintain a dry Environment: Mold loves moisture and dampness. The best way to keep mold at bay is to maintain a dry environment in your house. Ensure that you address water leaks with promptness. Also, the most important thing is to make sure your kitchen, basement, and bathroom are ventilated properly. Penetration of sunlight is also very important as it can inhibit mold growth. Exhaust fans are a great way to ensure airflow in kitchens and bathrooms
Clean Effectively: Clean every nook and corner of your home that can be more susceptible to mold growth. The kitchen, basement, and bathroom need to be paid more attention as these areas are more prone to mold.
Use Mold-Resistant Products: Mold-resistant products are the best choice for places prone to mold growth. These include concrete, fiberglass, and metal. Fiberglass insulation helps resist any water damage and mold growth. However, remember if these things develop dust and are not cleaned for a long period of time, they might develop mold.
While prevention is better than cure, sometimes things can get out of control and can create damage. If you suspect that you might have mold growth in your home, or workplace you should consider contacting professionals. Many types of mold are toxic, and while there are DIY mold removal methods out there, the safest and most effective way to get rid of mold in your home is to call a professional mold abatement company. RidAway is the go-to mold removal company in MA and can get rid of your mold problem fast! Many types of mold are toxic, and while there are DIY mold removal methods out there, the safest and most effective way to get rid of mold in your home is to call a professional mold abatement company. RidAway is the go-to mold removal company in MA and can get rid of your mold problem fast! They are fully licensed and state-insured, use industry-grade technology, and are EPA-approved.
RidAway toxic mold spores so you can breathe clean, healthy air once again.
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