Have you ever noticed a musty odor in your home or seen suspicious black spots on the walls? That might be mold, a fungus that can silently wreak havoc on your health and happiness. While mold plays a vital role outdoors, its indoor presence is unwelcome and potentially harmful. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Earl from gotmold.com, a mold detection and remediation specialist. Jason is a fount of knowledge on all things mold and is highly enthusiastic about this often misunderstood potential health problem. In this post, I’ll shed light on this often misunderstood “guest,” exploring its impact on your well-being and home and equipping you with the knowledge to keep it at bay.

Mold: Nature’s Decomposer

Imagine mold as a tiny, tenacious scavenger, breaking down organic matter in the soil. This natural process is crucial for our planet’s health. However, when this scavenger finds its way indoors, it transforms into an intruder, thriving in damp environments and releasing its microscopic spores into the air we breathe. These spores, along with mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds, can trigger various health problems, from respiratory issues like allergies and asthma to headaches, fatigue, and even chronic inflammation.

Identifying Mold in Your Home

Don’t wait for serious health concerns to sound the alarm. Be a detective! Watch out for:

• Visible mold growth: Black spots, greenish patches, or fuzzy discoloration on walls, ceilings, or furniture.
• Musty odors: A persistent damp smell is a red flag.
• Mysterious health issues: Symptoms that improve when you leave home, like respiratory problems or sleep disturbances, could indicate mold exposure.
• Excess moisture: Damp areas, leaks, condensation, or poor ventilation invite mold to settle in.

Tackling Mold Issues Head-On

If you suspect mold, don’t panic! Take action:
Mold needs two things to live: a food source and water, so here’s how to get rid of it.

1. Identify and fix the moisture source: Leaks, poor drainage, or inadequate ventilation need immediate attention.
2. Consult certified mold remediation professionals: They can assess the situation and safely remove contaminated materials.
3. Clean non-porous surfaces: Scrub hard surfaces like wood, metal, and plastic with appropriate cleaning solutions.
4. Be mindful of your food: Choose organic, locally sourced food to minimize exposure to mold and mycotoxins. 

If you have a water leak, you must take action quickly, ideally within the first 24 hours. 

Prevention is the Best Policy: Keeping Mold at Bay

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Here are some tips:

• Maintain proper ventilation: Open windows and doors regularly to allow fresh air to circulate.
• Control humidity levels: Keep indoor humidity below 50% to discourage mold growth.
• Address leaks and water damage promptly: Don’t give mold a breeding ground.
• Regularly inspect for mold: Check attics, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens often.

Jason and I also talked about mold on our food; I had heard about this but still needed to understand it fully. You see, food can be a significant source of mold exposure, as imported foods often contain mold and mycotoxins due to the length of time they are transported.  This is especially true for grains, spices, nuts, and conventional meats. Mold and mycotoxins in food can have cumulative effects on your health and may contribute to various symptoms and conditions. Understanding more about the source of your food and learning how to store food properly by keeping dry goods in airtight containers and promptly discarding moldy food is a great start. 

Although mold is as old as the earth itself, when it’s in the wrong place, it really can be a menace, but with knowledge and proactive measures, you can reclaim your home and safeguard your health. So, open the windows, let the sunshine in, watch what you eat, and say goodbye to mold. 

To listen to or watch the full episode with Jason, go here:

Episode 34: Is Mold Stopping You From Getting Better?

I realize that being a man and writing about exercises after pregnancy and childbirth is a strange thing to do. Still, having helped hundreds, if not thousands, of women recover after birth, I’ve noticed some things, and I want to share them with you here.

Pregnancy and childbirth place significant stress on a woman’s body.  Whether a person gives birth naturally or via c-section, there is still a considerable recovery period, which most women ignore. The recovery / ignore cycle tends to get worse the more babies someone has!

I’ve been inspired to write an article by a recent episode of my podcast with Peter Lap, founder of the Super Affordable Healthy Postnatal Body Program. We discussed Peter’s expertise and experience and highlighted five key areas, which I’ll discuss below.

Diastasis Recti: Understanding and Rehabilitating a Common Issue

One of the most common concerns of new mothers is diastasis recti, a condition characterized by the separation of the abdominal muscles. This can lead to a weakened core, back pain, and other discomforts. The key here is to accurately measure the size of the split so that you can tell if there is any change over time. Physicians commonly measure it with fingers, but no ‘subjective’ data exists.  Two different physicians will get two different ‘finger’ measurements.  Peter recommends measuring the gap yourself with your hand; this way, you can track changes over time. There are many ways of treating diastasis recti, from doing nothing to specialized exercises; surgery isn’t always necessary, but you must have patience.  It takes time for the muscles to get back together, and it may never go all the way, but with exercise, you have some control, and your core will get stronger (1). Yes – I will plug Peter’s course here because I think it is a very affordable way to get some excellent guidance on exactly which exercise you can do.  Check it out at https://www.healthypostnatalbody.com/

Strengthening the Glutes: A Key to Postpartum Alignment

Pregnancy often shifts a woman’s center of gravity, impacting posture and weakening the glutes. This means the glutes (the muscles around your hips) can weaken. The body also tends to compensate and use other muscles, further adding to the weakness of the glutes and the “mummy butt” look of a flat butt, or bottom as we like to say in the UK. Strengthening these muscles through exercises like glute bridges, kickbacks, squats, and lunges can be a great way to get this area fired up again. Peter points out that the six-week post-birth period offers an ideal window to begin incorporating these exercises into your routine. I recommend a tool called the Pelvicore Ball by https://www.pelvicsolutions.com/ This allows resistance to be placed on all the muscles around the hip and pelvic floor simultaneously, no matter which lower-body or upper-body exercise you do.

Here is a quick video series of how to use the Pelvicore Ball, from beginner to advanced exercises.

1. Level 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVqSFOYfPvs

2. Level 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzRNltZqQ9M

3. Level 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBL-DKXrGrI

C-sections and Postpartum Recovery: Tailoring Your Approach

For women who have undergone C-sections, the recovery process may be slightly different and require more time. Most new mothers don’t think about altering their regular movements to acknowledge that they recently had major surgery.  Massaging the scar and keeping it mobile can help reduce the redness and help with the healing. Using your everyday actions to help you get strong is also a good idea. Things like pushing prams and performing stretches for the back and shoulder muscles, specifically targeting the pectoral muscles and those beneath the shoulder blades. These exercises promote healing and prevent potential complications.

Lifestyle Medicine: Supporting Recovery Through Holistic Practices

As you know, I’m a fan of lifestyle medicine. This approach encompasses evidence-based practices such as a whole-food diet, regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, stress management techniques, avoidance of harmful substances, and fostering positive social connections. Granted, having a new baby throws a curveball into healthy habits.  However, I see it as an opportunity to establish new routines that help incorporate these elements into your daily life.  It’s a chance to reset and re-establish priorities for yourself and your baby.

Making Postpartum Recovery Accessible: The Journey Towards Affordable Options

On the podcast, Peter said something that I had never heard before.  He believes that high-quality postnatal care should be accessible to all. For him to back that statement up, his online programs are very affordable, ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to regain their strength and confidence after childbirth.  His weekly newsletter, a rich resource filled with practical advice and insights, is encouraged for further learning and support and is free! https://www.healthypostnatalbody.com/

Remember, every woman’s postpartum experience is unique. It’s crucial to listen to your body, seek guidance from healthcare professionals, and find the strategies that work best for you. With the proper support and knowledge, you can embrace motherhood while prioritizing your health and well-being. If you want to work with me using specific exercises and lifestyle medicine to help you recover and return stronger than ever, email me at ed@edpaget.com, and I’ll see if I can help.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454249/