What Are The
Symptoms Of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity?
The first cases of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (often referred to
as electro-hypersensitivity or even EHS) were studied in the 1970s and yet
decades later few people are even aware of the condition. We living human
beings are more than just flesh and blood; we are also a highly complex
electromagnetic system. This also means that we interact with external
electromagnetic radiation (EMR). But try switching off every single electrical
device in your home and work and ponder on how dependent we now are on these
devices. The problem is that no importance is given to how detrimental all this
EMR is to human health.
Before we look at common symptoms of electro-hypersensitivity
it is worth noting that there is usually one trigger event that then sets off a
general reaction to further sources of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF). In
the early days of studying this phenomenon the most common trigger was working
with a new computer - more specifically a new monitor. People tend to sit much
closer to a computer monitor than they ever would a TV set so that the EMR
coming from the cathode ray tube (CRT) is also that much stronger. The phasing
out of CRTs to be replaced by LCD and plasma screens is welcomed but even these
new screens emit some radiation. However, at the same time we are seeing an
explosion of pulsed EMF signals from mobile phone microwaves and various
wireless protocols from Bluetooth through to Wifi and WiMax. Finding yourself
very close to a cellphone base station can also be a trigger - and in a city
this is very likely to happen without you even knowing about it!
The most common reaction for a person sensitive to
electromagnetic frequencies is a warm burning sensation in the area most
affected. This could be the face or one side of the head, or even a general
burning sensation throughout the body. It is often described as similar to
being sunburnt. There may also be physical signs such as skin rashes or
blemishes as well as eye problems and a feeling that one's mucus membranes have
dried up. Below is a list of the most common symptoms of electromagnetic
hypersensitivity.
= A warm or burning sensation in the face somewhat like
feeling sunburnt
= A tingling or prickling sensation across the face or other
parts of the body
= Extreme dryness of mucus membranes such as the back of the
throat and eyes
= A swelling of the mucus membranes such as nose, throat,
ears and sinuses without any infectious cause
= Problems with concentration, loss of memory and dizziness
= A feeling of impending influenza (flu) that somehow never
quite breaks out
= Headaches and nausea
= Teeth and jaw pains
= Aches and pains in muscles and joints
= Cardiac palpitations
Some of these symptoms can be put down to lethargy and
possibly stress but all are obvious signs of an autoimmune reaction to
something in your life. For EHS to be considered you have to think back to
before you felt this way. Has something changed in your environment? Have you
or your workplace purchased some new electronic equipment? Have you or a neighbour
installed a home Wifi system? Sadly, there is currently no cure to
electro-hypersensitivity apart from shielding oneself from the offending
sources.
So before spending money on an EMF sensing device or a
professional EMF engineer it is worth doing your own experiments in removing
potential sources of electromagnetic pollution. As EMF is invisible to the eye
and all-pervading you may even have to go outside the city into the country -
making sure you are not accidentally near a phone mast planted on top of that
idyllic mountain. In the extreme, remove yourself completely from electrical
equipment, not just modern electronics but anything connected to the
electricity grid. Yes, this means going camping! If you really must take your
mobile phone for emergencies make sure that for the sake of the experiment you
not only switch it off but also remove the battery.
If you feel much better by removing the EMRs in your life
then become even more attuned to how you feel going back into your
"normal" daily routine. Do fluorescent lights give you a headache? Is
the mains hum the source of discomfort? Is it your cellphone or even driving in
a car? A car emits powerful EMR from the alternator and spark plugs. If you
manage to locate the source then you can start to consider your options. Some
countries classify electro-hypersensitivity as a disability and may offer
assistance. Otherwise the only choices at the moment are to shield yourself,
either with various products to make your home as electromagnetically clean as possible
or to change location to somewhere that has less electromagnetic pollution.