Indoor Mold Exposure Increases Risk Of Sleep Problems

Several large studies have reported that sleep problems are significantly more common in indoor mold exposed patients as compared to unexposed controls.

{flike}

A study of randomly selected 4,979 adults all over the USA reported that presence of moldy or musty odor was associated with significantly higher rate of sleep complaints vs adults not exposed to musty odor (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07-1.75) (Shiue 2015).

 A study of 1,719 children in 4 German cities reported that visible mold or dampness was associated with significantly higher risk of all sleep problems (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.21-2.60) and significant problems in sleeping through the night (2.52; 95% CI 1.27-5.00) (Tiesler, Thiering et al. 2015).

{module FL-VOL1}

Sleep apnea and waking apnea has also been seen in human infants exposed to high levels of indoor mycotoxins (Etzel 2006). Reducing indoor mold exposure in infants often improves their sleep.

The mechanism by which mycotoxins affect sleep is not well known, however it could be due to the neurotoxic and endocrinotoxic (hormone disrupting) effects of many mycotoxins.

References / Sources

Etzel, R. A. (2006). “What the primary care pediatrician should know about syndromes associated with exposures to mycotoxins.” Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 36(8): 282-305.

Shiue, I. (2015). “Indoor mildew odour in old housing was associated with adult allergic symptoms, asthma, chronic bronchitis, vision, sleep and self-rated health: USA NHANES, 2005-2006.” Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 22(18): 14234-14240.

Tiesler, C. M., et al. (2015). “Exposure to visible mould or dampness at home and sleep problems in children: Results from the LISAplus study.” Environ Res 137: 357-363.

{flike}

Related Articles and videos
{module Related Articles}

{fcomments}

Recent Articles

Why You Don’t Need Whole Grains To Be Healthy

Allergies or Fungi?

How Do Fungi Makes Us Sick?

Featured Sponsor

Doug's Books

Doug Kaufmann has written many books that cover a full range or health issues. Find out which of his books best suits you by clicking the button below.

The Kaufmann Diet

Doug Kaufmann developed his diet after years studying the clinical effects of pathogenic fungi on the body. Fungi and yeasts can become parasitic organisms on and inside our body, causing health problems that can be difficult to diagnose. Learn more about the Kaufmann Diet, change your life and know the cause.

The Science of Fungus

We encourage all visitors to this site to take some time and study these technical articles prior to initiating lifestyle changes, including dietary changes and to do so with their physician’s awareness and approval. The articles posted in this link are scientific and with few exceptions are taken from medical journals familiar to healthcare workers.

Our Healthy Recipes

Looking for help assembling antifungal Kaufmann Diet approved recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner? We have several videos, books and recipe write ups here on Know the Cause that will help your health journey. The recipes in this section are so good, you’ll feel like you’re indulging. No sacrifice needed! Enjoy.