Electrical Hypersensitivity
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What is Electrical Hypersensitivity?

Known variously as electromagnetic hypersensitivity, electrical sensitivity, electrosensitivity, and a host of other terms, electromagnetic sensitivity syndrome (ES) is a physiological disorder characterized by symptoms directly brought on by exposure to electromagnetic fields. ES is a serious public health concern and the incidence of ES is growing.


A Growing Concern

The typical American is in nearly continuous interaction with stimulation from across the electromagnetic spectrum. The density of radio waves around us is now 100 million to 200 million times the natural level reaching us from the sun. There is increasing awareness that humans are responding to electromagnetic radiation in a variety of ways.


Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)

EMFs are invisible fields of energy produced whenever electric current is flowing. EMFs are biologically active and a great deal of information exists regarding the health effects of EMF stimulation on animals, including humans. Evidence has been coming to light that EMF exposure may cause many more problems than had been contemplated and this includes the phenomenon of electromagnetic hypersensitivity.


Electrical Hypersensitivity (ES)

ES is a disorder whereby neurological and allergic-type symptoms are brought on thru exposure to electromagnetic fields. Many individuals with ES are primarily sensitive to certain frequencies of EMF and there is a wide range in the degree of sensitivity exhibited by those affected.
The incidence of electrosensitivity is growing. Many persons experience an abrupt onset of symptoms following exposure to a novel EMF such as fields associated with a new computer or with new fluorescent lights. Symptoms often are not immediately recognized by the injured as having been brought on by EMF exposure. Onset of ES has also been reported following chemical exposure. More research on this phenomenon is urgently needed in order to understand the mechanism behind it. It appears, however, that there is some direct effect upon the nervous system and that the immune system is likely also involved in this disorder.


Symptoms of ES

Symptoms may include but are not limited to: Headache, eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, skin rash, facial swelling, weakness, fatigue, pain in joints and/or muscles, buzzing/ringing in ears, skin numbness, abdominal pressure and pain, breathing difficulty, and irregular heartbeat. Additional symptoms have been reported in some individuals such as paralysis, balance problems, body and/or muscle spasms, convulsions, confusion,depression, difficulty in concentrating, siezure, sleep disturbances, and memory difficulties.


Environmentally-Induced Illness

A host of conditions has been clustered under the umbrella of environmental illness (EI), including multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or CFIDS), sick-building syndrome (SBS), asthma, candida-related complex (CRC), fibromyalgia, and ES.
Dr. Robert Becker describes the symptoms of MCS and ES, especially those symptoms associated with the central nervous system, as being virtually identical. Both disorders share the general characteristics of involvement of the central nervous system and the immune system. Dr. William Rea (who suffers from ES himself) reports that he is treating five hundred patients who are ES at his clinic in Dallas, Texas. Rea reports that at least 80% of these patients are also chemically sensitive and he too suspects and discusses links between ES and MCS. Links between ES and MCS in many patients are being increasingly recognized and such linkage must be considered and studied. Persons who suffer from both MCS and ES have found that the symptoms which they feel after either electrical or chemical exposure are essentially the same; they are frequently unsure as to which type of exposure brought the symptoms on.


Emotionally-Charged Health Issue

Those suffering from environmentally-induced dysfunction, whether this comes in the forms of ES, MCS, or CFIDS often find that they receive little support from our society and its institutions. Those with ES have found little help from practitioners of traditional medicine. Our mainstream medical establishment has not yet recognized the legitimacy of electromagnetic sensitivity and typically chooses to view individuals with ES as candidates for neuropsychiatric evaluation. The number of people in this country who are ES yet being treated for psychiatric disorders with drug therapy is unknown. The failure of American medicine to recognize ES and other EI will not make these illnesses go away and the clock is ticking on the ability of our public health agencies to sweep this reality under the rug by denying it or by attributing its causation to psychological dysfunction.


Treatment Approaches for ES

Several treatment modalities have been employed by electrosensitives including vitamin/mineral supplementation, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, homeopathy, and others, with varying degrees of relief reported.
The use of provocation/neutralization (immunotherapy) has been mentioned by several environmental medicine practitioners as being a key element in the treatment of both ES and MCS. Some have found limited symptomatic relief from the use of certain anti-siezure medications. The treatment of greatest importance, in the opinion of many who are ES, is avoidance of EMF radiation.


Organizations

ES has become accepted in Sweden more so than in any other country, and this is largely due to the activities of Sweden's Association for the Electrically Injured (F.E.B). The FEB produces and distributes educational literature which has helped people throughout the world to become aware of the phenomenon of ES. For information, contact



FEB
Box 151 26, 104 65
Stockholm, Sweden



Electrosensitives in North America have created an organization known as the Electrical Sensitivity Network, dedicated to the networking of electrosensitives. For more information about ES syndrome and the ESN Newsletter, contact



Electrical Sensitivity Network
PO Box 4146
Prescott, Arizona 86302



The EMR Alliance is committed to educating and informing the public about biological effects and environmental concerns associated with EMF radiation. The Alliance has a variety of information packages available and its publication Network News is acknowledged as the voice of the citizen activist. For more information about the EMR Alliance and Network News , contact



The EMR Alliance
410 West 53rd Street, Suite 402
New York, NY 10019
(212) 554-4073 Phone
(212) 977-5541 Fax


Case Study: Challenges and Responsibilities in Facing Electromagnetic Sensitivity


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Last update: 2-4-97