About Sue Enlow Expertise I can answer questions about asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases. I can also answer questions about breathing treatments and medications, ventilators, life support, aspects of ICU or the critical care environment, and CPR.
Experience I've been a Respiratory Therapist since 1990. I am currently a Supervisor, and I have worked in various hospitals in Southern California including teaching hospitals.
Question Hello,
My family has been suffering from breathing problems for the last year or so and I suspect it could have something to do with our basement and the amount of mold/cat dander & litter box/ water issues etc.
For about the last year, my wife and child have been sick quite a lot but I have been lucky enough to be fairly healthy. My wife, in particular, has had a cough coming and going on a relatively consistant basis and has suffered from throat ailments ranging from just a sore throat to loss of voice...always accompanied by white spots in her throat. She has had white spots for over 6 months now!! She sneezes uncontrollably at night sometimes so bad it keeps her up.
Alos, our two year old has had her share of sickness as well...she is sick right now in mid July. Could this be due to mold in the basement? The reason I ask is because no matter what I do, the house smells of the musty basement. I went down there a while ago and bleached the heck out of the floor and washed things down...I try to keep air going down there, but it is difficult becuase there is only a small window. What can I do to alleviate the mold/musty air smell? An important note is that we have forced-air heating ducts that run from the bioler/heater (which of course, are in the basement) to every room in our house.
I suppose my main concern is ridding the mold and keeping the basement dry and clean...what are some good options to help me out?
Thanks,
Neal
Answer Hello Neal,
Thank you for your question. I'd like to appologize for taking so long to respond. My computer crashed on me and I have not been able to access the internet for a while.
Mold is a serious and dangerous problem that can cause illness. Often times it is hard to prove that the mold is what has been making you sick. You need to seek professional help. There are companies out there that will take samples of the mold and test it. They will even rid your house of the mold. You should check with your homeowner's insurance policy to see if water damage and mold are covered. If so, then you should contact them right away to have someone come out to take care of this potentially dangerous problem.
