Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is a highly controversial and poorly understood condition. Here we explain a little more about it.
Electrohypersensitivity (EHS), also known as electromagnetic sensitivity or electromagnetic hypersensitivity, is a condition in which an individual experiences physical discomfort as a result of exposure to wireless technologies, electrical devices, telecommunication towers, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, cordless phones, or magnetic fields caused by electric lines.
Not so long ago, this condition was only seen in a small group of people exposed to unusually high levels of electromagnetic radiation, such as industrial workers; and most of the individuals suffering from it usually had a pre-existing genetic condition with tendencies to diverse hypersensitivities.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) does not consider it a disease, there are dozens of associations in more than 20 countries that, in the last decade, have dedicated themselves to studying and helping people who claim to suffer EHS.
Understanding more about electrohypersensitivity
EHS is presented as an alarm in the body of those who suffer from it, a kind of painful warning indicating that your body is reaching its tolerance limit to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF emanating from man-made sources) at the cellular level. The explanation for this is that our cells exchange electrical and magnetic charges that pass through the cell membrane; so changes in microtubules, especially in calcium ion channels, lead to cellular electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
EHS is then expressed as a conditioned reflex to non-ionizing radiation in the environment, which carries enough intensity to produce electrical stress in cells. The intensity of the radiation and the frequencies that most easily induce this cellular stress response tend to vary in each person with an EHS degree.
Prof. Olle Johansson, a member of the dermatology department of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, was one of the forerunners in the study of this strange EHS condition since 1980. According to his studies, this condition turns out to be like an “allergic” reaction to a hostile environment. This means that, indeed, it is not a disease, but a condition of hypersensitivity to EM waves; for example, in Spanish programs and documentaries, they call it «WIFI Allergy».
Symptoms associated with electrohypersensitivity
The symptoms presented by people suffering EHS are quite diverse and nonspecific, so its early detection or diagnosis is usually atypical and complicated. For example, one or more symptoms could arise or intensify when located near electrical appliances, transformers, high-voltage lines, mobile phone antennas, Wi-Fi routers, among other devices.
In our case studies and emission control projects, we have found that a percentage of people who claim to have EHS have a nocebo effect associated with radiation as well, which means they are individuals who suggest themselves negatively and express discomfort or pain in the sole presence of an electronic device. These people are not considered to suffer EHS, they are just terrified and influenced by all the information they see in the media.
We have also observed subjects with conditions of psychological paranoia; people who stay with electromagnetic field meters and who are continually “hunting” these waves. This is not considered EHS.
A person with EHS is someone who experiences real symptoms that commonly have no known cause for medicine. These are people who even ignore the existence of electromagnetic waves or Electrosmog and yet, they are still affected.
From the various investigations that we have performed, we have gathered 29 specific symptoms associated with EHS:
1. Fatigue (General tiredness)
2. Sleep problems – Insomnia
3. Sleeping excessively – Hypersomnia
4. Irritability
5. Nervousness
6. Skin problems (rashes, itching, others)
7. Abnormal heart rhythm – Tachycardia (Arrhythmia)
8. Blood pressure problems
9. Irritable Bowel
10. Hearing loss
11. Pain in the ears
12. Ringing in the ears
13. Noise in the ears
14. Bells in the ears
15. Pain in the eyebrows
16. Blurred Vision
17. Dizziness
18. Concentration problems
19. Memory problems (short-term)
20. Headaches
21. Redness on the face
22. Facial swelling
23. A sensation of heat on the face
24. Feeling numbness in the head
26. Feeling like a tight band around the head
25. Feeling pressure in the head
27. A sensation of pricking on the skin
28. Feeling pressure in the chest
29. Feeling a lack of oxygen
What are the types of EMF exposure that induce electrohypersensitivity?
There are two types of artificial electromagnetic exposure that can cause this condition:
1. The one that comes from the electricity, usually by dirty power (EMI interferences in the wiring) at home or the office, as well as industrial exposure to high voltage fields.
2. The one that comes from exposure to electromagnetic impulses from telecommunications, especially from WIFI and mobile telephony, or from “industrial” exposure, as in the case of employees of mobile telephone operators with continuous tasks at base stations and mobile phone towers.
Electrohypersensitivity today
Many scientific organizations claim that EHS does not exist by using the argument that EM waves do not carry enough energy to affect cells. This vision is solely based on the idea that radiation can only affect people if it produces thermal effects. However, various studies carried out directly by dozens of laboratories on DNA, at a dermatological level, at the brain level, and on the nervous and endocrine systems have proven that there are non-thermal effects that can induce alterations in different physiological levels.
Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in EHS cases. They have suddenly and exponentially multiplied, and every time the intensity levels of pain and discomfort increase in those who suffer it. It appears that we are reaching a saturation level of electromagnetic exposure that has caused even people without preexisting conditions of hypersensitivity to begin developing an EHS degree.
Governments like those of France, Sweden, and other countries (especially in the European Union) today consider EHS as a functional disability that a percentage of the population lives when it is exposed to a high level of electromagnetic pollution; such as the one that is present in urban areas, technology offices, or homes with nearby industrial exposures (radio mobile phone bases, high-voltage lines, electrical substations).
At NOXTAK, we have worked directly with +40 case studies showing symptoms of EHS and, indirectly, with another 1,000 cases through our scientific and commercial allies. These individuals have fully recovered their normal lifestyle and have been able to use modern technologies with complete normality today. That’s why we know electromagnetic pollution (EMF Pollution) can be filtered and balanced while continuing to use technologies.