only while they were exposed to the radio frequency radiation generated by the base of the cordless phone. The intensity of this radiation was well below (0.3%) international, U.S., and Canadian guidelines. In other words, they responded only while the cradle was plugged into a live outlet. When the cradle was plugged into a dead outlet there was no radiation and no response. A common response for sensitive individuals was upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system and downregulation of the parasympathetic nervous system that is typical of a “fight or flight” stress response (Fig. 8).
This study shows that the radiation emitted by a common device, at levels well below federal guidelines, affects the autonomic nervous system and may put some individuals with pre-existing heart conditions at risk when exposed to electromagnetic radiation to which they are sensitive.
Figure 8. Typical response of someone who is electrosensitive and responding to the radiation generated by the base station of the cordless phone. During exposure (phone) the heart rate increases from 65 to 86 and 72 beats per minute and returns to “normal” during sham exposure. Also during exposure there is an upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system and a downregulation of the parasympathetic.
TIPS ON DIAGNOSING AND TREATING ELECTROSENSITIVITY
The best sources of information about electrosensitivity for doctors and other health care practitioners is the Austrian Medical Association (2012) guidelines.3 They recommend that the code Z58.4 (exposure to radiation) under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) should be used for EMF syndrome until a more specific code is provided for non-ionizing radiation. This is particularly important for those with medical/legal claims.
The Austrian Medical Association provides the following list as an aid to help diagnose and treat someone with EMF-related health problems:
1.History of health problems and EMF exposure
2.Examination and findings
3.Measurement of EMF exposure
4.Prevention or reduction of EMF exposure
5.Diagnosis
6.Treatment
Prominent among the recommendations is determining and reducing exposure to electrosmog as part of the treatment. Important questions to ask patients are:
1.Which of the following wireless devices do you use/are you exposed to: cell phones; cordless phones; wireless baby monitor; Wi-Fi routers for internet access; wireless home alarm system; wireless games; other? The more devices the greater the potential exposure.
2.Do you live/work/go to school within 500 meters of cell phone towers; within 2 km of broadcast (TV, radio) antennas; within 2 km of radar antennas (common near airports, military bases, marine installations, or weather stations)?
3.Do you live with 100 meters of a power line or electricity substation?
4.Do you use computers for hours each day?
5.Do you have a smart meter on your home? Wireless smart meters produce both radio frequency radiation and dirty electricity.
6.Do you have a plasma TV, light dimmer switches, fluorescent lights at home/work/school? These produce dirty electricity that can be biologically active.
7.Do you live within 100 meters of your neighbors (row housing, condominiums, apartment buildings, etc.)? This would expose occupant to neighbor’s radio frequency sources.
Exposure can be reduced by behavior modification (using cell phone in speaker mode rather than holding it up to the head; using it less often and for shorter periods; moving wireless device away from the body, etc.). Replacing wireless technology with wired technology can reduce exposure considerably. If levels of dirty electricity are high, they can be reduced with power quality filters or capacitors. If the source of radio frequency radiation is external to the home/work/school then shielding is possible. Many products are now available including film for windows, fabric for curtains or for a bed canopy; paint, wallpaper, etc. Proper monitoring is necessary prior to and after shielding.
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
