Mold Exposure (Credit: Canva)
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.
Credits: Canva
Hangover headaches are miserable. Most people know that drinking too much alcohol can leave you with a long list of next-day problems, and a headache is one of the most common. You will find no shortage of so-called hangover headache “fixes” online, in home remedies, and even on store shelves. The problem is that very few of them are backed by solid scientific evidence. The surest way to prevent a hangover headache is to watch how much alcohol you drink at one time. That said, there are a few simple, home-based steps that may lower your risk of waking up with a headache, and some practical ways to manage the pain if it has already set in.
A hangover refers to the uncomfortable physical and mental effects you experience after drinking too much alcohol the night before. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hangovers are extremely common among people who overdrink. One study found that nearly 75% of people who consumed excessive alcohol reported hangover symptoms the following day. The same research suggested that about 25% to 30% of drinkers may not experience hangovers at all.
Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per hour can lead to a hangover. Your body generally needs about an hour to break down and process a single drink. As explained by the Cleveland Clinic, one drink is roughly equal to:
Many products and home remedies claim they can cure a hangover, but most are not supported by science, and some may even do harm. For instance, having more alcohol the next morning does not fix a hangover. It simply adds more toxins to your system.
Instead, consider these self-care measures for hangover relief:
Consider aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve aches and pains. NSAIDs are generally the most effective medications for hangover-related pain, but they should be used cautiously because they can irritate your stomach. Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol), as combining it with alcohol can damage your liver.
Give it time. Hangover symptoms usually improve within eight to 24 hours. During this period, your body works to eliminate alcohol toxins, restore hydration, repair tissues, and return normal body functions to baseline.
Credits: Canva
Although many people are only now becoming aware of it, adenovirus is being widely described as a “mystery illness spreading worldwide,” and that description feels accurate when you consider how many people are reporting symptoms at the moment. Adenovirus can cause fever, a runny nose, sore throat, and stomach discomfort, which makes it difficult to distinguish from a regular cold or the so-called “super flu” that is currently circulating. If you are feeling unwell, or concerned about catching an infection just before the holiday season, Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy explains how to tell adenovirus apart from the common cold and from the H3N2 flu strain.
Adenovirus refers to a large group of viruses that can lead to infections ranging from mild to more severe. These viruses can affect the respiratory tract, eyes, digestive system, and urinary tract, often causing symptoms that look very similar to a cold or flu.
Adenoviruses are hardy, spread mainly through respiratory droplets, and can infect people throughout the year. Children and individuals with weaker immune systems may experience more serious illness, but most people recover with rest and fluids, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Adenovirus is one of several viruses that can trigger cold-like symptoms. It helps to think of a cold as a set of symptoms rather than a single illness, with adenovirus being just one possible cause. “Adenovirus is just one virus that can cause the common cold,” says Dr Lee. She adds that many other viruses can also be responsible, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and coronaviruses.
Identifying the exact virus behind your cold symptoms is very difficult. “It is pretty much impossible for you or a doctor to know which virus is causing your cold symptoms,” Dr Lee explains.
“The flu can be extremely unpleasant, whereas adenovirus is usually mild,” Dr Lee says when comparing the two. She explains that flu symptoms often appear suddenly, sometimes within hours, and are usually marked by a high fever and severe discomfort.
According to Dr Lee, flu symptoms can include:
In contrast, adenovirus symptoms, when they appear at all, tend to develop slowly over several days, Dr Lee notes.
Other important differences between adenovirus and flu include:
Although adenovirus and common cold symptoms often overlap, the intensity of “super flu” symptoms usually stands out. Even so, Dr Lee explains, “The only way to really know the cause of your symptoms is to have a swab taken by a medical practitioner. This may be from the nose, throat, eye, urine, or stool.”
In most cases, testing is unnecessary and unlikely to be offered. “Because the vast majority of these viral infections are mild and self-limiting, this is rarely done,” says Dr Lee. “Treatment for any cold is symptomatic only.” She adds that extra caution is needed for babies and young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Credits: Canva
A newly identified flu strain that spreads easily and causes more severe illness is driving infections this season. The strain, a mutated form of influenza A H3N2 known as subclade K, has been linked to a growing number of cases worldwide, including across the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, the K variant represents “a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses,” prompting concerns among experts about how well this season’s flu vaccine may work against it.
Health specialists say the K variant is associated with stronger flu symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion, cough, sore throat, and a runny nose. A CDC report found that of the 216 influenza A(H3N2) samples collected since September 28, nearly 90 percent were identified as subclade K. As this strain continues to circulate, here is a closer look at the symptoms being reported and the areas where flu activity is currently highest.
Doctors say the symptoms caused by the mutated H3N2 strain closely resemble those of typical seasonal influenza A. Common symptoms include:
Flu symptoms often come on abruptly, Hopkins explains, describing it as a sudden, overwhelming feeling of being unwell.
The CDC notes that flu symptoms can overlap with those of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, making testing important. Three-in-one rapid home tests that check for influenza A, influenza B, and COVID-19 are now available, and experts advise keeping them on hand when possible. If you test positive for the flu, antiviral medications may help shorten the illness and lessen symptom severity, Hopkins adds.
Below are the states and regions reporting the highest levels of medical visits related to flu-like illness, which may not reflect confirmed flu cases. The data reflects CDC reporting for the week ending December 25.
Very High (Level 1)
Very High (Level 2)
Very High (Level 3)
High (Level 1)
High (Level 2)
High (Level 3)
The CDC estimates that the flu has already caused at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths so far this season. Health officials continue to recommend the flu vaccine as the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness.
During peak respiratory virus season, experts advise taking basic precautions to lower your risk and protect others:
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