In 2012 the Austrian Medical Association issued their “Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF related health problems and illnesses (EMF syndrome). They have updated this with the 2016 EUROPEAM Guidelines for EHS or at EHS Guidelines PDF Download
This thorough and well written paper discusses the science, symptoms and challenges of identifying this condition. They review the multiple sources of manmade radio frequency radiation that patients may be exposed to. A central tool is a patient questionnaire along with physical examination and laboratory studies. The Austrian Medical Association notes the difficulty of diagnosing a cause when symptoms are non-specific and advise using a questionnaire and laboratory studies when no other clear cause can be found for the patients symptoms. Consideration of electrosensitivity diagnosis is done after full medical history, physical examination and other appropriate medical testing for more easily recognized and common conditions.
New Technology-New Sources of Wireless Radiation
Since this questionnaire was developed new technology has been implemented including Smart Meters and electric cars with driverless cars close on the horizon. Adding questions regarding the placement and use of these devices along with symptoms is important.
Additional Questions to Determine Electrohypersensitivity
- Do you have a smart meter on your home? If so where?
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Do you spend time in a hybrid or electric car? If so how much time?
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Do you ever get new or worsening symptoms while in or after being in a hybrid or electric car?
- Do symptoms vary at work, school, home or in town?
It is notable that the Vienna Medical Association issued guidelines for safer use of cell phones in 2016. Vienna Safer Cell Phone Use Recommendations
Print Version Questionnaire for Electrohypersensitivity Patient Questionnaire for Electrohypersensitivity Print PDF
Patient Questionnaire Electrosensitivity
- Name:______________________________ Date: ____________ Age: ___________Address_____________________________________________________________________
- a) List of Symptoms: How often have you experienced the following health problems in the last 30 days? Please mark the appropriate box in every line.
Symptoms Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very Often Since when? Month/Yr Anxiety / Tightness Chest / Depression / Difficulty Concentration / Restlessness / Hyperactivity / Irritability / Exhaustion / Fatigue / Difficulty finding words / Forgetfullness / Headaches / Dizzyness / Sleep Problems / Noise Sensitivity / Pressure in ears / Ear ringing / Burning eyes / Nervous bladder / Heart palpitations / Blood pressure / Muscle tension / Joint pain / Skin rashes / Other (write) / Other (write) / - b) Variation of health problems depending on time and location
Which health problems do you perceive to be the most severe? Since when have you been experiencing these health problems? At what times of the day or week or month do the health problems appear? Is there a place where the health problems increase? Is there a place where the health problems increase or are particularly severe? (e.g. at home, work)
Is there a place where the health problems recede or disappear altogether? (at work, home, vacation, friends house, parks)
Do you have an explanation for these health problems? Are you experiencing stress, e.g. due to changes in your personal life? Please list any environmental assessments made, measurements made or any measures taken up to now. Please list any environmental medicine diagnosis and treaments given up to now. - c) Assessment of EMF exposure at home and work
1) Do you use a cell phone at home or at work?________________
How long have you been using it?____________________________________
How much do you use it to make calls per day (hours/minutes)_______
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? __________
2) Do you have a cordless phone (DECT base station) at home or at work?
How long have you had it? Months/years. ___________________________
How much do you use it to make calls per day? ______________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? _____________
3) Do you use wireless internet access? (Wi Fi, WLAN, WiMax, UMTS) at home or at work? ______________
How long have you been using it? Months/years. ____________________
How much do you use it per day? Hours/minutes____________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? _____________
4) Do you use energy efficient light bulbs in your immediate vicinity? (desk lamp, dining table lamp, reading lamp, bedside lamp) at home or at work? _____________
If yes, how long have you been using it? Months/years. ______________
How much do you use it per day? Hours/minutes_____________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? _____________
5) Is there a cell tower near your home or your workplace? (specify)
_________________________________________________________________
If yes, how long has it been there? Months/years. _______________
At what distance is it from your home? ________________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? _______
6) Are there any power lines, transformer stations or railway lines near your home or your workplace? ____________________________
If yes, for how long are you exposed to them per day? _______________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? _____________________
7) Do you use Bluetooth in your car? __________________________
If yes, how long have you been using it? Months/years. ___________________
Have you noticed any relation to your health problems? __________________