No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
An Underworld Journey: Learning to Cope with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
Abstract
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is an illness in which exposure to electromagnetic radiation can produce a variety of physical symptoms. In most towns and cities, current levels of this radiation are more than a million times higher than previous levels under which life has evolved. People who are chronically exposed or have some other inciting event, or both, may become severely electrosensitive, thus becoming deprived of safe access to much of their surroundings. The immediate physical consequences of this malady can be devastating, and the secondary psychological challenges often are just as dire. This N = 1 study by a physician with severe electromagnetic hypersensitivity describes the "underworld journey" of a person suffering from this illness.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Much of the controversy over the causes of electro-hypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) lies in the absence of both recognized clinical criteria and objective biomarkers for widely accepted diagnosis. Since 2009, we have prospectively investigated, clinically and biologically, 1216 consecutive EHS and/or MCS-self reporting cases, in an attempt to answer both questions. We report here our preliminary data, based on 727 evaluable of 839 enrolled cases: 521 (71.6%) were diagnosed with EHS, 52 (7.2%) with MCS, and 154 (21.2%) with both EHS and MCS. Two out of three patients with EHS and/or MCS were female; mean age (years) was 47. As inflammation appears to be a key process resulting from electromagnetic field (EMF) and/or chemical effects on tissues, and histamine release is potentially a major mediator of inflammation, we systematically measured histamine in the blood of patients. Near 40% had a increase in histaminemia (especially when both conditions were present), indicating a chronic inflammatory response can be detected in these patients. Oxidative stress is part of inflammation and is a key contributor to damage and response. Nitrotyrosin, a marker of both peroxynitrite (ONOO°-) production and opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), was increased in 28% the cases. Protein S100B, another marker of BBB opening was increased in 15%. Circulating autoantibodies against O-myelin were detected in 23%, indicating EHS and MCS may be associated with autoimmune response. Confirming animal experiments showing the increase of Hsp27 and/or Hsp70 chaperone proteins under the influence of EMF, we found increased Hsp27 and/or Hsp70 in 33% of the patients. As most patients reported chronic insomnia and fatigue, we determined the 24 h urine 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS)/creatinin ratio and found it was decreased (
This paper constructs persons with environmental sensitivities as comprising a hidden, marginalized group in technological culture that is paying a large price for our industrialized lifestyle. Due to the polluted nature of most public venues, this population is robbed of a sense of "place" necessary to maintain personal relationships. This population is marginalized by health-care providers and shunted into mental health categories, as our current health paradigms are not adequate to frame and categorize health problems caused by our toxic industrial lifestyle. The problem is discussed within the context of the pressures of capitalism, and examples are given of persons with environmental illness receiving mental health diagnoses (an attempted colonization) when they attempt to access mainstream health-care providers who lack knowledge or expertise regarding toxic-induced illness.
Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI) - formerly multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) - are characterized by diffuse symptoms reported after exposure to low doses of everyday chemicals. Previous theories about the origin of IEI have emphasized either biological or psychological factors, neglecting a probable interplay. Many have suggested classifying IEI as a somatoform or an anxiety disorder, irrespective of some incongruities. By focusing on dysfunctional cognitions we discuss obvious parallels of IEI with somatoform disorders, and also indicate overlaps with anxiety and delusional disorders. To propose a hypothetical psycho-neurobiological basis of IEI, recent evidence about cortically represented symptoms in the absence of peripheral stimuli is briefly summarized. We conclude that IEI can serve as an illustrative example for the impact of cognitive, representational processes in symptom generation.
Living in gratitude: A journey that will change your life
- A Arrien
Arrien, A. (2011). Living in gratitude: A journey that will change your life. Boulder,
CO: Sounds True.
What's the diagnosis, doctor? Sonoma Medicine
- S Eberle
Eberle, S. (2014). What's the diagnosis, doctor? Sonoma Medicine, 65, 27-32.
BioInitiative 2012: A rationale for biologically-based public exposure standards for electromagnetic radiation (Section 8). Prepared for the BioInitiative Working Group
- O Johansson
Johansson, O. (2007). Evidence for effects on immune function. In C. Sage & D.
Carpenter (Eds.), BioInitiative 2012: A rationale for biologically-based public
exposure standards for electromagnetic radiation (Section 8). Prepared for the
BioInitiative Working Group. Retrieved from www.bioinitiative.org
BioInitiative 2012: A rationale for biologically-based public exposure standards for electromagnetic radiation. Prepared for the BioInitiative Working Group
- A Maslow
Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
Sage, C., & Carpenter, D. (Eds.). (2012). BioInitiative 2012: A rationale for
biologically-based public exposure standards for electromagnetic radiation.
Prepared for the BioInitiative Working Group. Retrieved from www
.bioinitiative.org