Mold is a fungus that grows in places where there is chronic moisture.  Roof leaks, condensation on pipes, cracks in walls or pipe leaks within walls can soak wood which can then lead to mold spore growth. There are more than 100,000 strains of mold of which many are quite toxic to humans. Unfortunately, we have small exposures to mold in every home, school, church or office building. Most physicians do not realize the impact of mold on the health of their patients.  Patients are often tested for mold allergies, but it is the toxins released by mold that are the most disruptive to our health.  These mold toxins (mycotoxins) can cause an immune overreaction that leads to excessive inflammation and can even trigger an autoimmune response.  Mold toxins are released from mold spores when they sense danger.  We then absorb these toxins into our bodies through our lungs by breathing or across our skin, and these toxins then trigger an immune response.  This immune overactivity leads to a multitude of symptoms and can even cause significant health conditions such as kidney disease, mood disorders, unexplained weight gain, reactivation of old viruses (like Epstein-Barr and shingles), dementia, and even cancer.