Are Electromagnetic Sensitivity & Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Related?

Are Electromagnetic Sensitivity & Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Related?
Electromagnetic Sensitivity Syndrome (EHS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) are connected, according to Lucinda Grant, director of the US support group called Electrical Sensitivity Network, and author of two books on electromagnetic sensitivity. People suffering from one of these diseases often suffers from the other as well.

The nervous system is a primary site impacted by both chemicals and electromagnetic fields. The diseases also share many of the same symptoms, such as headaches, rashes, fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity used to be a condition doctors were skeptical about. It was often thought to originate in the minds of hysterical housewives (those poor women who suffered from such a diagnosis!). Today MCS has become more readily accepted as a real disease.

Skepticism, however, does remain in the medical field about the reality of Electromagnetic Sensitivity. People suffering from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are still often thought to be hypochondriacs.

People with other diseases, like chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, also suffer from Electromagnetic Sensitivity Syndrome and may not know it. EHS affects the immune system, so it can exacerbate and contribute to almost any other disease. It can affect our ability to get well, no matter what we do. If our immune system is struggling because it’s constantly trying to protect our body from electromagnetic radiation, it cannot attend to fighting problems caused by other environmental toxins (like chemicals) or internal ones caused by other diseases.

Both Electromagnetic Sensitivity Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity are difficult to live with. In today’s world, both chemicals and EMFs surround us. For some, it’s difficult to go out in public at all, without getting sick.

For chemical sensitivity, there are now many companies that offer natural, “green” products for household use. You can at least keep your own home fairly free of chemicals. You can also stick to natural fibers in clothing and bedding, and carry your own soap with you when you plan to use public restrooms.

For electromagnetic sensitivity, you can find protection to give you relative (and for some people, total) relief. Look for products with a guarantee so you can test them for a while. Trust your body’s responses. Check out the EarthCalm product line for a variety of ways to protect yourself.

References:

1. Rubin, James; J Das Munshi J, Simon Wessely (March–April 2005). “Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: a systematic review of provocation studies”. Psychosomatic Medicine 67 (2): 224–32.

2.  Röösli M (June 2008). “Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure and non-specific symptoms of ill health: a systematic review”. Environ. Res. 107 (2): 277–87.

3. “Definition, epidemiology and management of electrical sensitivity”, Irvine, N, Report for the Radiation Protection Division of the UK Health Protection Agency, HPA-RPD-010, 2005

4. Sage, Cindy. “Microwave And Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure: A Growing Environmental Health Crisis?”. San Francisco Medical Society web page. Retrieved 2008-05-31.

5. Levitt, B. Blake (1995). Electromagnetic Fields. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company. pp. 181–218.

6. Carlsson, F; B Karlson B, P Orbaek, K Osterberg, PO Ostergren (July 2005). “Prevalence of annoyance attributed to electrical equipment and smells in a Swedish population, and relationship with subjective health and daily functioning”. Public Health 119 (7): 568–77.

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