Fungus - Is this why I'm struggling to breathe?

[Ousetunes]

A few months ago I found myself out of breath whilst walking to Broomhill. It was a walk of about three quarters of a mile and was of a more undulating than hilly nature. For the first time in my life, I questioned myself as to whether I should stop to get my breath back.

 

This loss of breath became more frequent and I found myself - as I presently do - out of breath sat at the computer. After posting on here, I was strongly advised to go to the doctor's. This I did immediately and I gave a blood sample, had the usual stethoscope placed to the chest and was referred to the Hallamshire for a heart-scan.

 

When I returned from holiday (during which these symptoms disappeared) I went for my results. I was informed that nothing untoward had shown up in the tests.

 

The loss of breath has continued. However, yesterday (24th November) an employee came into my office and quipped 'Are you growing mushrooms in here?' I asked him what he meant and he pointed to a cluster of fungal flowers that were growing in the corner of my office, between the wall and ceiling. I hadn't noticed this before. Immediately above my office is a shower-room (it's student accommodation) and it looks like water might have escaped from there. I presume the fungus is a result of leaking water.

 

Now, before I have the stuff removed, I have a relatively simple question:

 

Could this fungus be the reason for my lack of breath? (I spend most of my life in this office, from 8am till 5pm five days a week and another 8.30am - 4pm on a Saturday.) Do you reckon the spores/spawns (?) are in effect, poisoning me? Should I remove them or have them professionally treated?

 

Or do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree and should return to my doctor's for more tests?

 

I'd truly appreciate your comments.

[the_mandarin]

By any chance, are you leading a sedentary life style? If so then that could be the cause for your breathlessness.

 

You mentioned something about computers, so I am guessing you are an IT professional. If so then it is a common thing in this field. For quite a few IT professionals, the only exercise they get in the day is when the run for a meeting Of course, the fact that many have this problem does not make it any less serious!

 

You could perhaps try and add some physical activities to your routine. And checking with your GP could do no harm, just to confirm that you can indulge in whatever form of activity it is that you would like to start off with.

[Longcol]

It could be the fungi - we got some once in our bedroom and my wife was complaining about being short of breath. We had it treated and she hasn't complained since - although that may also be down to her taking regular exercise (gym, swimming).

 

My other suggestion is petrol fumes - when I am doing similar walks I find that I sometimes have to stop and catch my breath, especially when traffic is heavy.

[camping_gaz]

yes fungal spaws can cause or at least aggravate asthma you should treat it with an antifungicide and paint it with a paint with antifungicide in it and try to get some ventilation installed the lack of ventilation aids fungal growth

[Tricky]

Yes, spores and other pollutants can inflame the airways causing you to struggle to get enough oxygen when exercising.

[JoeP]

Might well be exacerbating or causing the situation - get your company's facilities people in to sort it out and make noises about your health to chivvy them along.

 

In the meantime, how ventilated is your office?

 

When you saw your doctor, did they take your blood pressure?

[datal]

Ousetunes get it sorted straight away, fungus of that nature can be highly toxic & you may feel worse the longer you leave it. Some years ago there was a prog' about it on TV which showed how dangerous it can be.

[Blade1983]

i'd get it removed PDQ!

 

I've heard that certain types of fungi, that grows in bathrooms, can actually be deadly!

[medusa]

There are a number of fungi that can be truly deadly (although the most toxic ones like Stachybotris don't usually present as anything that looks like mushrooms), but the thing that would additionally worry me is the building conditions necessary for the fungi to grow.

 

Your office (and the building walls more specifically) must have really quite a significant level of dampness for this to grow- and the dampness in itself can be really bad for the breathing.

 

I'm not sure that it's enough to just treat for fungi- there has to be something done about the damp levels too or the fungi will return and the building could also rot.

 

You need to alert the powers that be to the situation and get them to have the building checked over to work out what's causing these damp levels.

[Ousetunes]

Thanks for your comments.

 

As I own the building and the business I will get the professionals in to look at what's required. It's a very old building (and indeed business) so one wonders what lurks within its cavities.

 

Once again, thank you.