The Stealthy Negative Affects of EMFs

This post discusses EMFs or Electromagnetic Frequencies, and how they affect MCAS. We also touch on how to remediate spaces from EMFs so you can feel safe in your home when you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

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My Story with EMFs and MCAS

I first developed migraines, tinnitus, and nystagmus when I visited my parents’ lake cabin which had a wifi router. Over the week-long stay, I got dizzier and dizzier, and could barely function. As soon as I left the place my symptoms disappeared. But in the next month, my next-door neighbor installed a wifi router, and soon there were Comcast routers installed on electrical poles all over my neighborhood. My migraines and dizziness returned, and I felt helpless.

With the help of my functional practitioner, I was connected with Damon Coyne, a Building Biologist with Intentional Environment who helped us to evaluate and remediate the EMFs in our home. Once I lined my curtains with EMF shielding fabric most of my symptoms vanished. With some further tweaking, I began to sleep better and make progress in my healing journey.

What are EMFs?

From the NIH: Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as Radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. EMFs are typically grouped into one of two categories by their frequency:

• Non-ionizing: low-level radiation which is generally perceived as harmless to humans
• Ionizing: high-level radiation which has the potential for cellular and DNA damage

What is MCAS?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. MCAS is serious and disabling and people with MCAS experience often significant and debilitating symptoms daily, including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

MCAS is often found in combination with other chronic conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

Frequently healthcare providers do not know about MCAS, and the tests for MCAS are problematic because they are not uniformly reliable. MCAS can be difficult to manage. Treatments include blocking mast cell mediators with anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers.

Check out this post on how to manage MCAS.

How symptoms of EMFs mimic MCAS symptoms

EMFs can cause unpleasant symptoms in anyone, but if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance they can be a trigger for a symptom flare or contribute to Here are some common symptoms of EMF exposure that can worsen MCAS. In addition, some of the symptoms that you experience from exposure to EMFs are identical to MCAS symptoms.

• headaches
• fatigue
• insomnia
• muscle aches
  heart palpitations
• eye irritation
  concentration issues
• irritability
• dizziness
  depression
• anxiety
• nausea
• burning, tingling, or pain when touching a device
• brain fog
• hormone imbalances
• urinary issues
• gut disruptions
• hair loss
• certain cancers

The bucket theory

The bucket theory offers a helpful analogy for understanding symptom reactions with MCAS.

Think of your body as an empty bucket that you want to keep from overflowing. Different foods and activities fill your histamine bucket at different speeds but they combine to form the total level of histamine in your body (how full your bucket is). A fuller bucket means you have more histamine symptoms. When you manage triggers, reduce exposure to known triggers, and take medications and supplements to reduce histamine, you can manage the level of your bucket.

Know your typical symptom progression

Knowing your symptom progression in a symptom flare is the key to developing your own rescue plan. In this post, I discuss how to determine your own symptom progression. Once you know what typically happens in your symptom progression you can design a rescue plan to address those symptoms.

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Types of EMFs

AC ELECTRIC FIELDS – Sources: AC voltage in electrical installations, cables, appliances, outlets, walls, floors, beds, high-tension, and other power lines

AC MAGNETIC FIELDS – Sources: AC current in electrical installations, cables, appliances, transformers, motors, overhead and ground cables, power lines, railways

RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION – Sources: cell phone technology, RF transmitters, broadcast, trunked radio systems, line-of-sight systems, radar, military, cordless phones

DC ELECTRIC FIELDS – Sources: synthetic carpeting, drapes, and textiles, vinyl wallpaper, varnishes, laminates, stuffed toy animals, TV or computer screens

DC MAGNETIC FIELDS – Sources: steel components in beds, mattresses, furniture, appliances, and building materials; DC current in street cars, photovoltaic systems

RADIOACTIVITY – Sources: building materials, stones, tiles, slags, waste products, devices, antiques, ventilation, terrestrial radiation, location, environment

GEOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES – Sources: currents and radioactivity in the earth; local disturbances caused by faults, fractures, underground water courses

SOUND & VIBRATION

How to Test Your Living Spaces for EMFs

I recommend connecting with a Building Biologist like Damon Coyne at Intentional Environment. A Building Biologist can measure the EMFs in your home and work spaces to determine the levels of exposure you typically experience in a day.

How to Remediate EMFs in Your Home

Some simple changes to your home can make a profound difference, such as getting rid of your wifi router and smart meters in favor of wired connections. You can shield windows from outside sources of EMFs, like your neighbors’ wifi routers, with curtains like these. You can wear shielded clothing like this hoodie for times when you are unable to control your exposure to EMFs.

Other remediation tactics may be more involved, like painting your bedroom with shielding paint, grounding, shielding within the walls and under flooring, and window film. Work with a building biologist to determine the specific needs of your space.

What do you think?

I’d love to have your reply below!