A reader from London, S. Hill Church, writes: “I get headaches and feel dizzy when using my mobile, but when it’s switched off, I’m fine.
Could this be electrohypersensitivity?”
Dr Martin Scurr responds: While your symptoms are absolutely real and deserve attention, the World Health Organization notes that scientific evidence linking mobile phone signals to electrohypersensitivity is very limited.
Studies where participants were exposed to radiofrequency radiation—the kind emitted by phones—versus a sham (no radiation) environment haven’t consistently shown that the exposed group suffers more symptoms.
In other words, people who think they are sensitive to electromagnetic fields usually cannot reliably detect when they are actually being exposed.
Practical Steps for Managing Symptoms
Even if the science doesn’t fully back electrohypersensitivity, Dr Scurr recommends taking steps to reduce exposure if it triggers your symptoms.
This could include turning off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on devices, minimizing mobile use, and experimenting by removing one device at a time to identify the source.
The goal here is simple: improve your quality of life while monitoring what might be causing the discomfort.
When Electroconvulsive Therapy Can Be Life-Changing
This week, Dr Scurr met a patient he hadn’t seen since childhood.
Now in her mid-20s, she had battled severe depression that did not respond to medication.
Her treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) made a huge difference: “It saved my life,” she told him.
Dr Scurr explains his experience administering ECT as a junior doctor.
Patients are briefly anesthetized, and a mild electric shock is applied to one side of the head, causing a short convulsion.
While controversial, ECT remains one of the most effective interventions for severe depression when medications fail.
He emphasizes that, despite advances in pharmaceuticals, this life-saving therapy is often overlooked, and that dismissing it deprives some patients of a treatment that can dramatically improve their mental health.
Cholesterol Concerns and the Role of Statins
Marion Tunnicliffe from Southport writes about struggling with high cholesterol and concerns over statins, especially after experiencing side effects from taking them.
She also takes omega-3 and collagen supplements.
Dr Scurr advises that managing raised cholesterol is crucial, particularly if you have other heart conditions like atrial fibrillation or a pacemaker, as these put you at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Dietary adjustments are key: reducing animal fats such as red meat and full-fat dairy, and increasing soluble fiber from foods like oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol naturally.
Understanding Medication Leaflets and Risks
Information leaflets included with prescription medications are legally required to outline all possible side effects, even rare ones.
While these can be alarming, they are meant to protect patients and cover the manufacturer legally.
Dr Scurr compares them to car manuals, which must mention that accidents can happen even though most people travel safely.
The critical takeaway is that medication decisions should balance risks and benefits, ideally in a proper consultation with your GP.
If you feel rushed or unclear about your treatment plan, it’s worth asking for a more in-depth discussion.
Key Takeaways
-
Symptoms like headaches and dizziness from mobile phones are genuine, but evidence for electrohypersensitivity is limited. Reducing exposure may help.
-
Electroconvulsive therapy, though controversial, can be a lifesaving treatment for severe depression unresponsive to drugs.
-
Statins remain essential for people with high cholesterol and heart disease, but dietary changes and clear discussions with your doctor are crucial.
-
Always balance the risks and benefits of treatments with professional guidance rather than relying solely on package leaflets or anecdotes.