As part of the “history of health problems” certain pre-existing conditions are common among those who complain of electrosensitivity:
1.Physical trauma to the brain or spinal cord (whiplash in a traffic accident for example).
2.Electro-trauma:
a.Electroshock: single traumatic incidence or multiple shocks;
b.Chronic or acute exposure to electromagnetic fields/radiation (non-ionizing);
c.Struck by lightning.
3.Chemical trauma:
a.Exposure to toxic chemicals (multiple chemical sensitivity);
b.High body burdens of mercury (fillings, diet, occupational exposure);
c.Metal implants.
4.Biological sensitivities/allergies:
a.Severe food or environmental allergies;
b.Lyme disease (tick/bacteria) and other parasitic infections.
5.Impaired immune system:
a.Lupus (autoimmune diseases);
b.Fetus, infants, children, elderly.
In addition to reducing exposure, building up the immune system, detoxifying the body (especially of mercury), and dealing with the emotional distress are all essential to affect a cure and to promote recovery.
How serious a problem is electrosensitivity? According to Hallberg and Oberfeld, by 2017, 50% of the population is going to be complaining of electrosensitivity (Fig. 9).4 If we use a modest estimate of 3% of the population with severe symptoms then 1 million people in Canada, 9 million in the U.S. and 15 million in the E.U. are severely affected by this illness. Another 35% are likely to have mild to moderate symptoms. Without foreseeable changes in regulations and guidelines, this number is likely to increase along with our exposure to electrosmog.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Electrosensitivity is a real and serious emerging health crisis that is affecting millions of people in countries around the world. Because of our ubiquitous exposure to electrosmog, medical treatment is increasingly less effective. Those who are sensitive have symptoms that resemble rapid aging with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, poor short-term memory, difficulty concentrating, heart arrhythmia, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, and skin problems. The difference between real ageing and rapid ageing syndrome or electrosensitivity is that the symptoms diminish or disappear once exposure is reduced or eliminated. Treatments include reducing exposure, building up the immune system, detoxifying the body, and dealing with the emotional stress. This is a real physiological disorder that can be exacerbated by fear of exposure, and by the response of unsympathetic family, friends, and physicians who are unaware of this illness.
REFERENCES
1.Bevington M. Electromagnetic-Sensitivity and Electromagnetic-Hypersensitivity (Also Known As Asthenic Syndrome, EMF Intolerance Syndrome, Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance - EMF, Microwave Syndrome, Radio Wave Sickness): A Summary. Capability Books; 2010.
2.Johansson O. Electrohypersensitivity: State-of-the-art of functional impairment. Electromagn Biol Med. 2006;25:245-258.
3.AG-EMF. Guideline of the Austrian Medical Association for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF related health problems and illnesses (EMF syndrome). Consensus paper of the Austrian Medical Association’s EMF Working Group (AG-EMF). Adopted at the meeting of environmental medicine officers of the Regional Medical Association’s and the Austrian Medical Association; March 3, 2012; Vienna, Austria. http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Austrian-EMF-Guidelines-2012.pdf. Accessed February 7, 2013.
4.Hallberg O, Oberfeld G. Letter to the editor: Will we all become electrosensitive? Electromag Biol Med. 2006;25:189-191.
5.Freiberger Appeal. Interdisziplina re Gesellschaft fur Umweltmedizin e. V. 2002. Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/8156759/Freiburger-Appeal. Accessed February 7, 2013.
6.Mironava T, Hadjiargyrou M, Simon M, Rafailovich MH. The effects of UV emissions from compact fluorescent light exposure on human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro. Photochem Photobiol. 2012;88:1497-1506.
7.Health Canada. The Safety of Compact Fluorescent Lamps. Available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/cfl-afc-eng.php. Accessed February 7, 2013.
8.Havas M. Dirty electricity elevates blood sugar among electrically sensitive diabetics and may explain brittle diabetes. Electromagn Biol Med. 2008;27:135-146.
9.Milham S, Morgan LL. A new electromagnetic exposure metric: high frequency voltage transients associated with increased cancer incidence in teachers in a California school. Am J Ind Med. 2008;51:579-586.
10.Havas M. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: biological effects of dirty electricity with emphasis on diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Electromagn Biol Med. 2006;25:259-268.
11.Havas M, Marrongelle J, Pollner B, et al. Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from 2.4 GHz cordless phone affects autonomic nervous system. Eur J Oncol. 2010;5:273-300.
VIDEO RESOURCES
1.Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CVLa_tRslY, Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A55081TOlbQ, Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kdvHUUDsJ0
2.Diabetes and Dirty Electricity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJcM6RZwyfA
3.Multiple Sclerosis and Power Quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdtIPb3Veuw
4.Live Blood Analysis and Electrosmog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7E36zGHxRw
5.Effects of Microwave Radiation on the Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EI9fZX4iww http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mw_nCJWs4
6.Microwave Radiation in Your Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAnrmJ3un1g
7.Radio Frequency Radiation Near Cell Phone Towers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEOcB7Svhvw
8.Dirty Electricity Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbebpRvwd8k
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc., Ph.D., is Associate Professor at Trent University in Canada where