This blog focuses on a unique aspect of our body's protective responses to stress and illness. We are looking at the unconscious habit of breath-holding. Why does it occur, what impact does it have, and how can we utilize conscious breathing practices to counteract it? We explore the connection between breath holding, mold illness, and dysautonomia, shedding light on how these conditions intertwine and impact an individual's wellbeing.

Understanding the Breath-Holding Pattern

The human body is a marvelously complex system, equipped with various mechanisms to protect itself. Breath-holding is one such mechanism. It's a primitive, protective response designed to shield our bodies from perceived threats. It dates back to our ancestors' time when avoiding detection by predators was a matter of survival. 

Breath holding is a natural reflex that occurs in response to various stimuli, such as underwater submersion or intense physical exertion. Breath holding refers to the conscious or subconscious act of temporarily stopping or delaying one's breath. While this can occur during activities like swimming or weightlifting, it can also manifest as a symptom in certain medical conditions. Some individuals may experience breath holding as a symptom of underlying health conditions, including mold illness and dysautonomia.

Breath holding can lead to a variety of symptoms, including dizziness, lightheadedness, and a sense of suffocation. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial to addressing the issue effectively.

Mold Biotoxin Illness and Breath-Holding: The Unseen Link

Mold biotoxin illness, a condition associated with involuntary breath-holding, results from exposure to the toxic byproducts of mold. It can cause a chronic inflammatory response, leading to a wide range of symptoms, from respiratory problems, skin rashes, cognitive issues, fatigue and mast cell activation. The body, in its bid to combat these ongoing stressors, may resort to breath-holding as a protective mechanism to prevent you from breathing in harmful air.

How does this happen? Mold biotoxin illness wreaks havoc on multiple systems in the body, creating a constant state of inflammation and immune response, known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). This sustained stress on the body can lead it to perceive an ongoing threat, triggering a chronic 'fight or flight' response. One of the physiological responses during these heightened stress states can be involuntary breath-holding. Some people theorize that this is the body’s innate intelligence, stopping you from breathing in harmful mycotoxins and mold spores when there are signs of mold in the vicinity.

Similarly, dysautonomia, characterized by dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, can lead to numerous symptoms, including erratic heart rate, blood pressure abnormalities, digestive issues, and more. Such physiological disturbances can often cause the body to lapse into a defensive mode, leading to patterns like breath-holding.

The Interplay of Dysautonomia and Breath-Holding

To truly grasp the connection between dysautonomia and breath-holding, let's first understand what dysautonomia entails. It's a disorder characterized by a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system, which controls essential involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, digestion, and, yes, breathing. When dysautonomia occurs, it can disrupt the normal functioning of these bodily processes, including the regulation of breathing patterns. Breath holding can be a manifestation of this dysfunction.

People with dysautonomia can experience a myriad of symptoms, including lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, irregular heart rate, malaise, and intestinal issues. This broad symptomatology can significantly impair quality of life and contribute to a constant sense of unease or threat, which can, in turn, trigger protective mechanisms like breath-holding.

Breath-holding is part of our body's inherent protective response, rooted in our survival instincts. However, in dysautonomia, where the body is already in a state of dysregulation, chronic breath-holding can aggravate the situation.

Connection Between Mold Illness and Dysautonomia

The link between breath holding, mold illness, and dysautonomia lies in the impact mold exposure has on the autonomic nervous system. Mycotoxins released by mold can disrupt the normal functioning of this vital system, leading to dysautonomia symptoms. When the autonomic nervous system is compromised, it can affect the regulation of breathing, causing breath holding episodes.

Furthermore, mold illness can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, leading to systemic inflammation. Inflammation can also impact the autonomic nervous system, further contributing to dysautonomia symptoms and potentially exacerbating breath holding tendencies.

The Impact of Breath-Holding on Health

Breath-holding, while a natural response to perceived threats, can become problematic if it turns into a chronic habit. It can lead to reduced oxygen supply (hypoxia), intensify feelings of anxiety, and exacerbate the myriad symptoms associated with both mold biotoxin illness and dysautonomia. Additionally, it can perpetuate the body's stress response, thereby creating a vicious cycle of stress and breath-holding.

Counteracting Breath-Holding

The first step to addressing this issue is awareness. Recognizing when you're holding your breath is key. By being aware of your breathing patterns, you will start to notice instances of involuntary breath-holding throughout your day. Once you are aware, you can consciously guide your body back to a more natural rhythm of breath.

You may need to train your body to breathe automatically again. As you do this, it’s especially important to have excellent air quality in your living areas, to give your body the best chance at overriding it’s bad wiring. This is especially important if you are dealing with dysautonomia.

Incorporating practices like diaphragmatic and Pilates breathing can be beneficial, training your body to breathe more naturally and fully with regular practice. These techniques encourage deep, full breaths, teaching your body to break the habit of breath-holding and promoting healthier respiratory patterns. Techniques like biofeedback and mindfulness-based stress reduction can help manage the underlying stress and anxiety often associated with chronic health conditions, which can help you move into a parasympathetic state.

It's important to remember that while breath-holding might be a common occurrence in individuals with mold biotoxin illness and dysautonomia, it doesn't have to dictate your life or your health. By understanding the connection and integrating mindful breathing practices, you can regain control over your breath and, by extension, your wellbeing.

Managing Breath Holding, Mold Illness, and Dysautonomia

If you suspect that mold exposure may be contributing to your breath holding episodes or dysautonomia symptoms, it’s important to work with a professional experienced in mold-related illnesses, like we are here at Healing Masters. We can help assess your symptoms, conduct appropriate testing, and provide guidance on natural treatment options.

To manage breath holding and improve overall well-being, several strategies may be helpful:

1. Environmental Control: Minimize exposure to mold by identifying and remedying any sources of mold in your living or working environment. Ensure proper ventilation and maintain good indoor air quality by using a high quality ultra HEPA air purifier in your bedroom and areas you spend the most time.

2. Medical Interventions: Depending on the severity of mold illness and dysautonomia symptoms, healthcare professionals may prescribe medications, supplements, or treatments to alleviate symptoms and support the recovery process.

3. Lifestyle Adjustments: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help support your overall well-being. Focus on stress management techniques, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep to promote healing and reduce symptoms.

4. Breathing Exercises: Engaging in deep breathing exercises and techniques, such as diaphragmatic or Pilates breathing, can help regulate and improve your breathing patterns. These exercises can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and alleviate breath holding tendencies.

Closing Thoughts

Breath holding, mold illness, and dysautonomia are interconnected conditions that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Understanding the relationship between these conditions is vital if your goal is to overcome your condition and restore your health.

If you suspect mold exposure or dysautonomia as the underlying cause of your breath holding episodes, we would love to help you get to the root cause and develop an appropriate personalized plan. With the right interventions, support, and lifestyle adjustments, it is possible to find relief and improve your overall wellbeing. I am proof. Mold nearly killed me 5 years ago, but here I am now, thriving.

Breath is a powerful healing tool. Harnessing its power can guide us towards improved health and a deeper sense of calm. 

Overcome Your Chronic Symptoms & Heal Holistically

Are you looking to get to the root cause of your symptoms? We can help you.

We use holistic approaches and functional medicine lab testing to investigate what is triggering your chronic symptoms so you can address them at their source and start to feel better faster. Our health coaches are masters at guiding the healing of multiple root causes in a personalized order that gets you wellness results that last. We also help you maintain good health and minimize your disease risks.

by sarah southerton

Certified Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP2) & Functional Medicine Health Coach

I specialize in helping people heal chronic illnesses and achieve optimal health. After my own battle with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Lyme disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Post Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), I was thrust into the world of alternative medicine, herbal healing, and low-tox/low-stress living. I have since restored my health and no longer suffer with debilitating symptoms and I’m passionate about help other people who are suffering, so they can feel better a lot faster than I did.

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