Is My House Making Me Sick? Understanding Sick Building Syndrome and What to Do About It
Last Updated: November 2025
Medically Reviewed by Dr Jessica Knape, MD MA. Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Overview
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) occurs when indoor air or surfaces contain irritants that cause chronic symptoms.
Common culprits include mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, carbon dioxide buildup, and poor ventilation.
Symptoms often improve when you leave the environment.
Evaluation involves air testing, mold and mycotoxin screening, and medical assessment for inflammation or immune activation.
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine, we take a science-based, whole-person approach to restoring health and ensuring your environment supports recovery.
Key Points
SBS is caused by poor indoor air quality and environmental toxins.
Symptoms may mimic allergies, infections, or chronic fatigue.
Common sources include mold, VOCs, formaldehyde, cleaning chemicals, and moisture damage.
Identifying the source is essential before treatment.
Medical testing may include inflammatory markers, mycotoxin panels, or immune profiles.
Remediation and lifestyle changes are often necessary for long-term improvement.
What Is Sick Building Syndrome?
Sick Building Syndrome is a condition where people experience health symptoms directly linked to time spent in a specific building—usually their home or workplace. The symptoms can appear vague but often follow a clear pattern: you feel better when you’re away and worse when you return.
Typical Symptoms Include:
Fatigue or unrefreshing sleep
Headaches or dizziness
Nasal congestion, coughing, or throat irritation
Eye irritation or watery eyes
Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or mood changes
Skin irritation or unexplained rashes
These symptoms often overlap with allergies or autoimmune conditions, making SBS challenging to diagnose without environmental context.
Common Environmental Triggers
Mold and Dampness – Hidden mold behind walls or under flooring releases spores and mycotoxins that can trigger inflammation and immune responses.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Found in paints, new furniture, carpets, and cleaning products. VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Poor Ventilation – Traps carbon dioxide, allergens, and moisture, worsening air quality.
Dust and Particulates – Accumulated dust can contain chemicals, bacteria, and mites that irritate airways.
Combustion Pollutants – From gas stoves, fireplaces, or attached garages.
Water Damage or Humidity Problems – Promote microbial growth even when mold isn’t visible.
How SBS Affects the Body
Environmental triggers can irritate the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes—but for some individuals, especially those with certain genetic profiles or chronic stress, the reaction goes deeper. Mycotoxins and VOCs can activate inflammatory pathways and the immune system, leading to systemic symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Over time, chronic exposure may contribute to:
Mitochondrial dysfunction (fatigue, low energy)
Immune dysregulation (autoimmune activation)
Hormone imbalance (especially cortisol and thyroid disruption)
Detoxification overload (liver and kidney stress)
What Tests Are Done to Evaluate Sick Building Syndrome
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine, evaluation focuses on both the environment and the individual. You can’t fully heal unless both are addressed.
Environmental Testing May Include:
Mold Spore and Mycotoxin Testing: Identifies airborne or settled spores in your home, and checks for toxins produced by mold species.
ERMI or HERTSMI-2 Testing: Dust analysis to detect mold DNA and evaluate contamination severity.
VOC Testing: Measures chemicals released by paints, cleaners, building materials, and furnishings.
Formaldehyde or Carbon Dioxide Monitoring: Detects indoor gas accumulation that can cause headaches and fatigue.
Moisture and Airflow Assessments: Finds leaks, condensation issues, or poor ventilation zones.
Medical Testing May Include:
Mycotoxin Panel (urine): Identifies toxins the body is excreting.
Inflammatory Markers: C4a, TGF-beta1, MMP-9, and cytokine panels.
Immune and Hormonal Assessment: Adrenal, thyroid, and cortisol testing.
Mitochondrial Function Testing: Assesses energy production capacity.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Evaluates liver and kidney function under detox load.
Metabolomix Testing
The goal is not just to test but to correlate findings between your body and your environment.
Treatment and Recovery Steps
Once the source of exposure is identified, treatment focuses on both remediation and detoxification support.
1. Source Control:
Fix leaks, improve ventilation, and remediate mold professionally.
Use HEPA filtration and dehumidifiers as needed.
Replace contaminated materials (carpets, drywall, or insulation).
2. Medical Support:
Support detoxification through hydration, gentle sweating, and nutrition.
Address inflammation using anti-inflammatory diet, antioxidants, and physician-directed supplements.
Support mitochondrial repair and hormone balance as needed.
3. Gradual Re-Exposure:
Once your environment is safe, gradual re-entry helps assess symptom improvement.
Ongoing monitoring ensures your home remains healthy over time.
Can Peptides, Supplements, or Medications Help?
Yes—some patients benefit from supportive therapies while the root cause is addressed.
Glutathione and NAC help neutralize toxins and support liver detox pathways.
Binders such as cholestyramine or activated charcoal reduce toxin recirculation (under supervision).
Peptides such as Thymosin Alpha-1 or BPC-157 can help calm inflammation and support tissue repair after exposure.
Vitamin D, omega-3s, and probiotics reduce systemic inflammation and strengthen immunity.
These treatments should be customized and guided by lab findings.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
You should seek a professional assessment if:
Symptoms improve when you leave your home or workplace.
You experience persistent fatigue, headaches, or sinus issues without clear cause.
There’s a history of water damage, flooding, or visible mold.
More than one family member or coworker has similar symptoms.
Early evaluation can prevent long-term health effects and identify simple fixes before major damage occurs.
How We Approach Sick Building Syndrome at HealthSpan Internal Medicine
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, our evaluation integrates functional medicine testing with environmental assessment. We help patients uncover hidden exposures, restore resilience, and prevent recurrence. Our process includes:
Comprehensive medical and environmental history
Targeted lab testing for toxins and inflammation
Collaboration with environmental specialists for home assessments
Personalized detox, nutrition, and mitochondrial support protocols
Follow-up care to track progress and ensure recovery
Our goal is to help you identify the “why” behind chronic symptoms and create a healing plan that works—both inside your body and inside your home.
Reference Links:
Harding CF, et al. Mold Inhalation Causes Innate Immune Activation, Neural … (PMC, 2019)
Ehsanifar M, et al. Mold and Mycotoxin Exposure and Brain Disorders. (JIN, 2023) - IMR Press
Sayan HE, et al. Evaluation of the relationship between sick building syndrome … (PMC, 2021) - PMC
Healthline. Mold Exposure and Neurological Symptoms to Look For. - healthline.com
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Healthspan Internal Medicine — serving patients in Boulder, CO
Book a Discovery Call | About Dr. Knape
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
