Electrosensitivity | | Sick of modern life - allergic to electricity? |
Can mod cons make you ill? Imagine being allergic to modern life with every telephone, computer and kitchen appliance causing you severe pain and headaches. Its a condition known as Electrosensitivity and while its still very rare, a doctor from the West says its becoming increasingly common. Others though claim theres simply no evidence to prove it even exists. Inside Out West hears the remarkable story of an award winning sculptor, from Charterhouse near Cheddar, who says her lifes been turned upside down by what amounts to an allergy to the 21st century. Tingling sensation The first time Margaret Lovell realised something was wrong was when she felt a tingling sensation every time she used a portable phone.  | | Super sensitivity - Margaret Lovell suffered headaches |
Before long she was complaining of severe headaches whenever she used electrical equipment. She had to pack in her job as a college lecturer when the pain became too much to cope with. No-one knows how widespread the condition is. Estimates range from a few per thousand people to a few per million. Dr David Dowson, who practices in Bath, is one of the country's leading experts in the field. He's frustrated that very few doctors recognise the condition. "We could do nothing and wait for several years and then realise it's too late and many of these patients might, by then, be markedly ill. Or we could err on the side of caution, accept the possibility of the diagnosis, and do something about it here and now."
Dr David Dowson
But those who believe in the causes of Electrosensitivity have had a setback recently with the publication of an official 42 page report by the Health Protection Agency.
| "I think it's going to be a long term problem. I have been told the only way to overcome it is to avoid it. You cannot avoid these things in present day life, but certainly one just has to do one's best to avoid it." | | Margaret Lovell who experiences electro-sensitivity |
While it recognises that people like Margaret are suffering severe consequences, it goes on to say that there's no consistent scientific evidence of a link between the symptoms and electromagnetic fields. But Margaret is so convinced about the cause of her symptoms that she's taken to sleeping in her garden shed. She says, "it means I do get some relief and it helps me to get a better night's sleep, away from all things electrical". Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - West: Monday January 16, 2006
