Dr. William Rae, a former surgeon from Texas, discovered his own sensitivity to electromagnetic fields while working in the modern operating room. As medicine became a technology, the operating room became a home to more and more electrical devices. Today, in his opinion, it could well be classified as a hazardous environment. By eliminating other sources, Dr. Rae determined that his allergic and neurological symptoms were caused by the electromagnetic fields in the operating room. He subsequently discovered that he was not alone in his hypersensitivity, and that there was a growing population of patients with the same condition. These people are typically told by their physicians that their symptoms are “all in their minds” and that they should seek psychiatric care. Rae became outraged about this situation and he established a clinic to deal with this problem as a real entity. His Environmental Health Center in Dallas, TX is probably the best-equipped clinic of its kind in the country. The patients are tested through exposure to a spectrum of electromagnetic fields in such a fashion that they unaware it is being done. In most patients, a consistent sensitivity to certain specific frequencies can be found and quantified through objective measures of the activity of the autonomic nervous system. In this way, Rae has proved that the electromagnetic-hypersensitivity is a real clinical entity. Dr Rae is also the founder of AHEF, the American Environmental Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to provide research and education into Environmental Sensitivity.
EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity) sensitivity involves experiencing real, disabling physical and mental symptoms like headaches, fatigue, skin issues, and cognitive problems, which individuals attribute to exposure from common electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from devices like Wi-Fi, phones, and power lines, though mainstream science lacks consensus on a causal link, viewing it often as idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI-EMF) with potential psychological or oxidative stress factors, requiring medical evaluation for symptom management. Symptoms of EHS People with EHS report diverse, non-specific symptoms, including: Neurological: Headaches, dizziness, poor concentration, memory loss, tinnitus, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety. Skin/Sensory: Prickling, burning sensations, rashes, warmth. Other: Muscle pain, nausea, dry eyes/sinuses, heart palpitations, lethargy, general malaise. Causes & Mechanisms (Debated) Attributed Cause: Individuals believe EMFs from cell towers, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, and appliances trigger symptoms. Potential Biological Links: Some research suggests links to oxidative stress, altered calcium signaling, or immune responses, but these are not definitively established as causal. Psychological Factors: The nocebo effect (negative effects from negative expectations) and underlying sensitivities (like general high sensitivity) are also explored as contributors. Diagnosis & Management No Standard Diagnosis: There are no established diagnostic criteria for EHS, making diagnosis challenging. Medical Consultation: Doctors can rule out other conditions through exams, history, and tests (blood, etc.). Symptom Management: Focuses on managing symptoms through environmental changes (reducing EMFs), stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and treating underlying issues. Scientific Viewpoint World Health Organization (WHO): Acknowledges EHS as a real condition causing distress but states that the scientific evidence doesn’t confirm a causal link between EMF exposure and symptoms, often classifying it under Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI). Research Focus: Ongoing research explores potential biological mechanisms, but findings remain inconclusive, with no consistent evidence that EMFs below international limits cause these effects
