Mold is a type of fungus that has been found on the surface of the earth for millions of years. They can get inside your home through open doors, windows, and air conditioning systems. Inhaling mold spores or coming into contact with mold can have severe adverse effects on your health. Beyond physical symptoms like headache and allergic symptoms, it can have a significant impact on the brain and nervous system. Symptoms may vary, from mild headaches to more severe issues like memory loss or difficulty walking. While it can affect anybody, certain groups like children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these effects.

How can mold impact your neurological health?

Mold, such as Cladophialophora bantiana, can cause infections in the brain and spinal cord, leading to serious conditions like central nervous system (CNS) infections. While such infections are rare, they can be life-threatening.

Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain mold types. These toxins can be released into the air when mold grows indoors, and breathing them in can have direct harmful effects on brain function. Studies indicate that mycotoxins may interfere with the nervous system’s communication pathways, leading to cognitive issues such as memory problems and mood swings.

In fact, long exposure to mold can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms, which can differ depending on an individual’s health and the severity of the mold exposure. Some of them are:

Headaches are one of the most frequent symptoms of mold exposure. While most of the time, these headaches are described as dull, constant, or pressure-like, they can sometimes mimic migraines, accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.

Exposure to molds can also trigger seizures. Mold produces toxic substances like mycotoxins that may disrupt the brain’s electrical activity, leading to seizure episodes.

Mold exposure can cause brain fog, which results in concentration, memory, and mental clarity. Studies suggest that mycotoxins can disrupt normal brain function, making it challenging to process information and think clearly.

Exposure to this fungus can also lead to emotional problems. People with this kind of exposure have complained of anxiety, depression, irritability, and sudden mood swings. This could be due to mold toxins interfering with brain chemicals responsible for regulating emotions.

Mold exposure may trigger inflammation, leading to muscle and joint pain. In case of prolonged exposure, it could lead to the development or worsening of fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

In some cases, mold exposure may lead to tremors, difficulty walking, or problems with muscle coordination. These issues may be linked to mycotoxins affecting the brain or nervous system.

Mold exposure can impact the brain areas responsible for movement and balance, making it harder to stand, walk, or perform fine motor tasks. Individuals may feel unsteady or experience difficulty using devices like phones or computers.

Delirium is a condition wherein a person experiences confusion or disorientation. An abnormal immune response to mold could contribute to this condition. Delirium can make it difficult for individuals to think clearly or understand their surroundings.

Every month, millions of women endure painful periods and convince themselves that it is normal. However, the statistics tell a different story. Endometriosis affects about 247 million women worldwide, and nearly 42 million of those are in India alone. Yet, most of them suffer in silence for years before they get diagnosed.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, or nearby pelvic areas. India accounts for nearly 25% of the global burden of this condition. Even with this staggering number, it remains one of the most underdiagnosed issues in women’s health.

When Is Period Pain "Too Much"?

- Pain severe enough to disrupt daily activities, work, or school

- Cramping that starts days before your period and continues after it ends

- Pain during or after intercourse

- Painful bowel movements or urination around your cycle

- Heavy or irregular bleeding

- Unexplained fatigue, bloating, or lower back pain

These are your body's warnings, not signs of weakness or something to just endure.

The Cost of Waiting

The statistics on diagnostic delays are alarming. On average, there is a 7 to 9-year delay between the first symptoms and a confirmed endometriosis diagnosis worldwide. Endometriosis affects 10–15% of all women of reproductive age and up to 70% of women with chronic pelvic pain, yet many spend nearly a decade seeing multiple doctors before anyone identifies the true cause.

This delay leads to serious consequences. The monthly natural conception rate in women with endometriosis drops to just 2–10%, compared to 20% in women without the condition. Longer delays are directly linked to more severe disease, greater psychological distress, and tougher fertility challenges.

Listen to Your Body

Too many women come to me after years of being told their pain is normal. By the time they reach us, many are already dealing with advanced-stage disease.

Your pain is real, and it deserves a real answer. Do not wait, consult a specialist. Early diagnosis truly changes everything.

If your periods are affecting your quality of life, your body is asking you to listen. The sooner you seek help, the better your outcomes. Consult a specialist today. Take the first step towards a pain-free life.

India, which carries the world's second-largest population of hemophilia cases—a genetic blood disorder—must shift towards prophylaxis care for the bleeding disorder, said health experts today on the occasion of World Hemophilia Day.

World Hemophilia Day is observed every year on April 17 to raise global awareness of hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.

This year’s theme of “Diagnosis: First step to care” highlights the critical importance of diagnosis—the essential first step in treatment and care.

According to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), 75 percent of people suffer from hemophilia, without even knowing it, simply because they don’t have access to basic healthcare.

What Is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder where blood does not clot properly, even for minor injuries. It is caused by an error in a specific gene on the X chromosome, leading to a deficiency or absence of clotting factors.

While the condition mainly affects males, women are the genetic carriers. In people with hemophilia, the blood lacks sufficient clotting factors -- which are proteins essential for stopping bleeding.

Whether the bleeding is external, such as cuts, or internal, such as bleeding into joints or muscles, the blood does not clot. So, it can be a very serious disorder.

Without consistent care, repeated bleeding into joints can lead to

• chronic pain,
• deformity,
• loss of mobility.

Hemophilia is mainly of three types:

• Hemophilia A: This is the most common type. People with this condition have low levels of clotting factor 8 (factor VIII).
• Hemophilia B: People with this type don’t have enough clotting factor 9 (factor IX).
• Hemophilia C: Also known as factor 11 (factor XI) deficiency. It’s the least common type of hemophilia.

The Burden Of Hemophilia In India

Hemophilia A, the most common type, affects about 1 in 5,000 male births, underscoring the urgent need for improved detection and awareness.

Hemophilia B, on the other hand, is an X-linked genetic disorder affecting 1 in approximately 25,000 male births.

India bears a significant burden from Hemophilia A. Estimates suggest around 136,000 individuals are affected, but only a small fraction are diagnosed and registered due to unequal access to essential care.

Dr. Varun Kaul, Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital, Faridkot, told HealthandMe that in India, systemic gaps, ranging from limited diagnostic access to unevenly distributed treatment centers, continue to restrict access to RRT, especially beyond metro cities.

In contrast, more than 50 per cent of persons with hemophilia globally benefit from regular replacement therapy (RRT) as the standard of care.

Routine replacement therapy (RRT), commonly known as prophylactic care or prophylaxis, is the standard treatment for severe hemophilia.

It involves the regular intravenous (IV) infusion of clotting factor concentrates to maintain factor levels above 1 per cent to prevent spontaneous bleeding, particularly into joints and muscles.

Need For Prophylaxis Care For Hemophilia

Most Indian patients currently rely on reactive, on-demand therapy to manage bleeds after they happen.

Dr. Kaul said that although this may help prevent the immediate crisis, it fails to stop the cumulative joint damage that often results in permanent disability.

“Providing regular, scheduled infusions to maintain sufficient clotting factor levels can prevent bleeds entirely, reducing annual bleed rates by 90 per cent and enabling a life free from chronic pain and constant fear of the next bleed,” Dr. Kaul said.

Some progress is visible, as States like Karnataka, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, to name a few, have pioneered state-sponsored RRT programs.

“It is now imperative to transition from mere crisis management toward implementing preventive care as a National Health priority,” Dr Kaul added.

Hemophilia: The Need To Focus On Women

Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director & Chief - Hematology, Hemato-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, stressed the importance of focusing the treatment on females.

"Carrier testing in hemophilia remains largely focused on affected males, while women who may be carriers are often not included in routine screening,” Dr Bhargava told HealthandMe.

As an X-linked inherited disorder, hemophilia can present in women with low clotting factor levels, leading to

• prolonged bleeding,
• heavy menstrual cycles,
• complications during surgery and childbirth.

Most of the cases remain undiagnosed until a clinical event occurs.

"Identifying carriers through timely testing enables appropriate counselling and informed reproductive decisions. It also supports early diagnosis in families and reduces the risk of severe bleeding complications in future generations,” the doctor said.

How To Manage Hemophilia?

Dr Tulika Seth, Professor of Haematology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, in a post on social media platform X, stressed the importance of testing for hemophilia.

"If a child gets prolonged bleeding from a minor cut or injury, or if there are spontaneous painful swellings in the joints after minor falls, or sometimes even by somebody holding the baby, or there's a lot of bruising, people should get the baby tested or the adult tested for hemophilia," Dr. Seth said.

She noted that in mild cases of hemophilia, sometimes a person may not be aware that they have a deficiency, and then when they go for a tooth extraction or any surgery, they may have a problem.

"So, it's important to know your family history, and if you've had any prolonged bleeding after any pain, then you should tell your doctor and get tested," the doctor said.

Dr Bhargava also called for a broader approach that includes women in screening programs to help strengthen prevention and long-term management of hemophilia across families.

Hemophilia management requires attention beyond hospital care to prevent long-term complications.

To reduce bleeding episodes, it is important to:

• regularly follow up,
• adhere to treatment,
• maintain joint health.

Other measures include

• safe physical activity,
• balanced nutrition,
• avoiding trauma

"Integrating medical treatment with lifestyle practices supports functional independence and improves overall disease control,” Dr. Bhargava told HealthandMe.

Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder, usually inherited, wherein blood cannot clot properly due to low levels of clotting factors, causing prolonged bleeding or spontaneous internal hemorrhages.

Symptoms include easy bruising, joint pain/swelling, and excessive bleeding. While not curable, it is treated with factor replacement therapy and gene therapy.

India has the world's second-largest population of hemophilia patients, with estimates suggesting over 70,000 to over 1,36,000 cases of Hemophilia A and B. However, while around 13,000 to 19,000+ patients are registered, many remain undiagnosed.

This World Hemophilia Day, Dr. Sheikh Bilal, Head of Department, Pathology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Kashmir, exclusively told Healthandme that the primary reason why thousands of Indians remain undiagnosed and unable to access proper care is due to budget constraints, lack of awareness among policymakers, and the need for technocrats to advocate boldly for regular replacement therapy.

Despite having the second-largest hemophilia population, only 9-10 percent receive treatment as compared to 80-100 percent in some European countries.

The expert explained: "Money plays an important role. Every center in India has, at their own level, their own policymakers and the people who are at the helm of affairs. We are the second home for the hemophilia and we can change the lives of these people by having the regular replacement but it is all depending upon the perception of individual centers."

He also noted that the government needed to introduce policy reforms endorsing regular replacement therapy as the gold standard to help ensure equitable access to patients.

The median age at diagnosis for severe hemophilia in India stands at 60 months—five full years—compared to under 12 months in high-income countries. This delay is not just a matter of time but one that poses a risk of serious clinical consequences. Late diagnosis often means repeated, unmanaged bleeding episodes during early childhood, particularly into joints, before appropriate treatment begins.

Early Warning Signs

The three types of this condition include :

• Hemophilia A: This is the most common type. You may develop this condition because you have low levels of clotting factor 8 (factor VIII).
• Hemophilia B: You may have this type if you don’t have enough clotting factor 9 (factor IX).
• Hemophilia C: Hemophilia C is also known as factor 11 (factor XI) deficiency. It’s the least common type of hemophilia.

• Bleeding into the joints. This can cause swelling and pain or tightness in the joints. It often affects the knees, elbows, and ankles.
• Bleeding into the skin (which is bruising).
• Bleeding into the muscle and soft tissue, which can cause a build-up of blood in the area (called a hematoma).
• Bleeding of the mouth and gums, including bleeding that is hard to stop after you lose a tooth.
• Bleeding after circumcision.
• Bleeding after having shots, such as vaccinations.
• Bleeding in the head of an infant after a difficult delivery.
• Blood in the urine or stool.
• Frequent and hard-to-stop nosebleeds.

Treatment Options

The treatments for haemophilia have never been more effective, but they work only for patients who have been diagnosed. In a condition where every missed bleed moves a joint closer to permanent damage, the most important clinical act is also the most basic one: recognition.

The main treatment for severe hemophilia involves replacing the clotting factor you need through a tube in a vein. This replacement therapy can be given to treat a bleeding episode in progress. It can also be given on a regular schedule at home to help prevent bleeding episodes. Some people receive continuous replacement therapy.

Replacement clotting factor can be made from donated blood. Similar products, called recombinant clotting factors, are made in a laboratory, not from human blood.