The purpose of this
article is to explain how and why mold could be the
reason why some people are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IS AN AUTOIMMUNE
DISEASE
The body’s nerves are
protected by an insulating coating around the nerve cells called the myelin
sheath. Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates the nerves, helping them
send electrical signals that control movement, speech, and other functions.
Multiple Sclerosis Is
an Autoimmune Disease (Image courtesy of Web MD)
MS is caused by the
degeneration of the myelin sheath. When this occurs, nerve messages are not transmitted
properly.
In layman’s terms, MS
is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It is
referred to as an autoimmune disease because MS causes the
body to attack the myelin sheath.
The term “sclerosis”
refers to scarring because patients with MS develop multiple areas
of scar tissue where their nerves are damaged.
Since MS is a chronic
inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, it affects the
patient’s brain, spinal cord and the eyes’ optic nerves resulting in problems
with muscle control, balance, vision, or speech.
THREE THEORIES OF WHY MS OCCURS
The exact cause of MS
is not known. However there are several theories:
1. Genetics
2. Viruses
3. Climate, Geography, and Environment
#1 GENETICS
Some researchers
believe that genetics are a factor:
1. 15 percent of individuals with MS have one or
more family members or relatives who also have MS.
2. In cases of identical twins, there is a 33%
chance for each sibling to have the disease.
Research on the
genetic link, however, is not conclusive and has not yet proven that this is an
inherited disorder, meaning that if one of your relatives has MS you will not
necessarily get it.
#2 VIRUSES
Another theory about
MS is that if someone has a genetic predisposition to MS, viruses could trigger
the disease. This is the reason, researchers are studying the relationship
between MS and infections such as Epstein-Barr, herpes, and varicella-zoster.
Some researchers also
believe that people with other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or inflammatory bowel disease, are at a slightly
increased risk of developing MS.
#3 CLIMATE, GEOGRAPHY, AND ENVIRONMENT
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE
IS SOMETHING PRESUMABLY THAT IS PREVENTABLE….WE JUST NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IT
IS IN THE ENVIRONMENT. BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE IN THE ENVIRONMENT: YOUR GENES
DON’T CHANGE OVER TWO GENERATIONS, THREE GENERATIONS. (GEORGE EBERS, A PROFESSOR OF
NEUROLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, COMMENTING ON HIS STUDY ON THE RISING
INCIDENCE OF WOMEN WITH MS)
Research on the
environmental causes of MS is growing primarily because the incidence of MS is
significantly higher in colder climates, common in Europe, the United States,
and Canada compared to people living in Asia and the tropics.
New Zealand and parts
of Australia also have higher rates of MS, but these are relatively temperate
climates. For this reason, some researchers believe that cases of MS increase
in incidence and prevalence farther from the equator (or in higher latitudes).
MS could be higher in
colder climates because of Vitamin D deficiencies. Vitamin D is naturally
produced by the body in response to sunlight.
People living in
colder climates, like Canada, spend more time indoors because of the cold
weather, getting less sunlight.
Researchers speculate
that this leads to vitamin D deficiencies, weakening the immune system,
increasing the risk of getting MS.
Another possible
explanation for the higher prevalence of MS in colder climates could be mold because people in colder climates
spend more time indoors, making them more susceptible to illnesses caused by indoor air quality issues.
MOLD SICKNESS COULD
BE THE CAUSE OF MS SYMPTOMS
“THREE OUT OF
FOUR AMERICANS WHO NATURALLY PRODUCE ANTIBODIES TO MOLD TOXINS CAN LIVE AND
WORK IN WATER-DAMAGED BUILDINGS WITHOUT SUFFERING SIGNIFICANT DEMISE IN THEIR
HEALTH. BUT PATIENTS WHO CARRY THE HLA GENE HAVE NO ANTIBODIES TO DEACTIVATE
AND REMOVE MOLD TOXINS. THEY DEVELOP EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF THESE HARMFUL
TOXINS. MOLD TOXINS ARE LIPOPHILIC, MEANING THEIR MOLECULAR STRUCTURE CONSISTS
OF FATTY ACID MOLECULES. FOR THIS REASON, MOLD TOXINS MIGRATE TO AND DEPOSIT IN
THE BRAIN BECAUSE THE BRAIN IS THE ‘FATTIEST’ ORGAN, CONSISTING OF 60%
FAT….MOLD TOXINS DESTROY THE MYELIN SHEATH ON BRAIN NEURONS, CAUSING THE
CLASSIC WHITE SPOTS SEEN IN MS. “(DR. RICK SPONAUGLE OF THE FLORIDA
DETOX & WELLNESS INSTITUTE)
As stated earlier, MS
is caused by the degeneration of the myelin sheath. The current theory: MS
is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system
because the body attacks the myelin sheath. Symptoms of MS include the
following:
1. fatigue
2. vision problems
3. tingling and numbness
4. vertigo and dizziness
5. muscle weakness and spasms
6. problems with balance and coordination
7. speech and swallowing problems
8. cognitive dysfunction
9. difficulty with walking
10. bladder and bowel dysfunction
11. sexual dysfunction
12. mood swings, depression
Similarly, individuals
with a genetic susceptibility to mold illness that suffer from
CIRS, have many of the same symptoms exhibited by those suffering
from MS.
1. Problems with thinking, concentration, memory
and judgment
2. Difficulty speaking and slurred speech
3. Eye problems
4. Extreme and chronic fatigue
5. Dizziness and loss of balance and coordination
6. Feelings of tingling or numbness in legs and
arms
7. Muscle tremors
8. Loss of arm, hand or leg strength
Long term exposure to Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, can
destroy the myelin sheath that causes many of the same symptoms that MS victims
have.
There is no cure for
MS and much of the treatment focuses on the use of medications. Considering the
similarity in symptoms exhibited by MS patients and those suffering from toxic
mold and the fact that mold can also destroy the myelin sheath, the key
question that must be answered:
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF
THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH MS ARE ACTUALLY SUFFERING FROM TOXIC MOLD EXPOSURE?
Considering the
potential implications of this question and the long term health costs of
treating MS to just control it, it makes logical sense for anyone
diagnosed with MS to seriously investigate the indoor air quality of their home
and work place. Getting the
professional help of a mold
remediation and/or mold removal
company is fortuitous.
If mold is found, then
find out if you have a genetic susceptibility to mold
illness and seek proper treatment to detox your body and properly remediate
your home to restore the fungal ecology to healthy levels.
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