electromagnetronic gizmos and health

[The Incredible...]

Does anyone have any info on the impacts to ones health of spending a lot of time with lots of electrical equipment?

the reason i ask is i'm not a particularly healthy guy, i guess a fairly typical skinny pasty geek type, and occasionally, such as this week, i get a bit run down, lose sleep, feel unwell, feel nervous about al sorts of minor things, a little depressed and such like, and my parents always say stuff along the lines of 'well its because you sit in front of all that electrical stuff all day' and stuff of that nature

while i agree that maybe i could do with getting a bit more fresh air and exercise, i think its unlikely that the electrical equipment itself could cause health problems, as i would imagine that its all pretty much shielded and what not.

in my room at the moment i have a fairly beefy computer and 17" lcd monitor, 2.1 speaker system, wireless mouse, a 19" widescreen HDTV, PS2, Wii, Xbox 360 + HDDVD drive, modem, router, sky+ box, guitar amp and 2 effects pedals, and mobile phone, and ipod, i hasten to add its unlikely for them all to be turned on at once, but its all plugged in, although most things not being used are turned off at the plug

typically i will have the computer, monitor, speakers, modem and router on pretty much all day, and at any one time i might have the TV on with either one of the consoles or the sky box or no ttv but guitar amp and pedals

in anyones experience or in anything that someone may have read, is this likely to cause noticeable health problems, like electromagnetic imbalance in my brain perhaps or something like that, or are my family just talking bollox?

[Dr. kitteny berk]

Bollocks mostly, I think.

However, I think there are some links with EMF causing paranoia and feeling like you're being watched, so other stuff may not to too far fetched.

Though ISTR you're more likely to get lots more EM stuff from poor wiring, than you are from properly shielded modern electrical equipment.

[Dog Pants]

I've never seen any evidence that EMP can cause physical effects like that. A great many people sit in front of the television all day and ill health doesn't get blamed on it, and I work in front of a computer during the day and sit in front of one for leisure at night, and I'm fairly fit and healthy.

I'm no doctor, but I'd say it was more likely to be dietary issue or a lack of exercise.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

I'm no doctor, but I'd say it was more likely to be dietary issue or a lack of exercise.

Very much that.

Also, get some fucking sun, it's very, very good for you.

[Dog Pants]

Rare cases can apparently be sensitive, although the jury seems out on whether it's psychosomatic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_sensitivity

[buzzmong]

I conker with Berk and Pants, the stuff in your room isn't going to be putting out a huge EMF.

I'd be a tad more concerned with a big dob off radio transmitter outside my house, and perhaps would look more into it if I got a job where working with electrical equipment at huge power levels was a common occurance, eg working in a powerstation/substation or something experimental like a particle accelerator or somesuch.

[Killavodka]

Diet? I know lack of vitamins etc can cause a lot of those symptoms..
Could even be <a href="http://www.lumie.com/help/quick-guides/sad">Seasonal Affective Disorder</a>

[The Incredible...]

as always thank you all very much for your input, i always feel a little bad about posting all my problems, whether computer related or otherwise on here, because i feel like i'm asking for tuff without having muh to put in, but you're all such friendly people and you all usually have something helpful to say.

I htink SAD is very much a posibility, given that i've been working nights on a 7 on 7 off basis since september, and have been finding it a litle difficult to adjust, but it doesn't usually affect my sleeping pattern when i'm on my off weeks which i have been this week. i got a new bed this week and its since then that i've not been sleeping too well, so that might be something to do with it, although its fairly comfortable, so i would assume i should sleep better on it

diet is also a likely candidate, i will attempt to improve it, although when i'm feeling low appetite is one of the first things to go, which isn't helpful. i'm a very anxious/nervous person, and i guess its a fight or flight sort of thing, like if i'm going to have to run away from some scary social situation or something i don't want to be weighed down with food

as far as paranoi and fear of being watched goes, i woudln't say thats the case exactly, though i am a general sort of worrier, always thinking about what could go wrong with any given situation, but i think its more run of the mill pessimism and low confidence/self esteem that accounts for that, trather than anything physical

[Dog Pants]

as always thank you all very much for your input, i always feel a little bad about posting all my problems, whether computer related or otherwise on here, because i feel like i'm asking for tuff without having muh to put in, but you're all such friendly people and you all usually have something helpful to say.

The only people who don't get a good reception are the ones that are obviously idiots or who are offensive. Most people here are fairly happy to offer advice - it's not like it costs us anything.

Medical stuff probably isn't anyone here's expert area though, but I suppose it's as reliable as anywhere else on the internet.

[buzzmong]

Medical stuff probably isn't anyone here's expert area though, but I suppose it's as reliable as anywhere else on the internet.

Unless your arse is bleeding, then talk to Hehulk

[Roman Totale]

Unless your arse is bleeding, then talk to Hehulk

pfft, was going to say the same thing.

[HereComesPete]

Big post this un -

All the guff about emp/emf knacking people up usually says that it can, but only if your surrounded constantly by hugely powerful machinery that emits it in serious amounts. The guy who wandered through numerous safety doors with his beers and plastic chair to sit in front of a microwave transmission array to get warmed up, but got cooked is mentioned in the darwin awards book. In general your safe surrounded by the gizmo's in your room, unless they blow up, set on fire, fall on you from a great height of conspire behind your back.

KV and his S.A.D. may have the answer, related as well to diet and lack of sunshine like wot berk said. The atmospheric pressure around us, the levels of ozone, whether we hold unrequited love, too much food, not enough food all these things and more can throw the body off balance and result in exactly how your feeling right now. Exercise, sunlight and making the effort to get out and see your mates/ladies you fancy will bring back your appetite, get you healthier and maybe get you some poontang. (unless your a homo, in which case, you may get some cock )

The only people who don't get a good reception are the ones that are obviously idiots or who are offensive. Most people here are fairly happy to offer advice - it's not like it costs us anything.

I'll always try and help, it's not just the recipient of advice* who benefits, the dispenser gets a karma boost too, and a lot of us need that


*usual caveat of it may be bad advice you're given, but not on purpose.

Medical stuff probably isn't anyone here's expert area though, but I suppose it's as reliable as anywhere else on the internet.

See above post about Hehulk's bleeding rectum. Also add Berk and the art of putting sharp bits of metal in your cock. Certain times of the day you'll also get very in-depth detail of what chemicals can do to you, just listen to Ty on taemspack.

[Hehulk]

Unless your arse is bleeding, then talk to Hehulk

[Joose]

One thing it might be: If I understand correctly, you say all that electrical gear is in your bedroom, yeah? Because if thats true, there have been cases before of peoples sleep being affected by the slight hum you get off electrical stuffs. Doesnt affect all people, and conversly some people are dead sensitive to it. Not saying its a likely candidate, but it would be worth trying turning everything off (properly off, not just on standby) before going to bed. Especially if youve been working odd shifts or nights or some such.

Even then, its purely to do with noise, cock all to do with EM.

On the other hand, if you are feeling run down/generally a bit knackered, it could be a touch of anemia. Get some green veg in you (spinach is awesome for this) and it makes a hell of a difference.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

Get some green veg in you (spinach is awesome for this) and it makes a hell of a difference.

ISTR that was a misplaced decimal, but it's still fairy good

[Killavodka]

i had a pair of speakers that hummed even when you turned them off. Had to pull the bloody plug out everytime

[cheeseandham]

all of the above.

good food
quality sleep
a bit of exercise
decent social contact

solves a lot of problems. a couple of months of this and you still have problems, then go see a doctor

Oh and wear sunscreen

[Roman Totale]

good food
quality sleep
a bit of exercise
decent social contact

And no nocturnal self-abuse.

[buzzmong]

And no nocturnal self-abuse.

Day tiem is much better, you can see what you need to clear up afterwards.

[The Incredible...]

as far as noise goes, i can usually sleep with my computer on

but i think maybe the sky box irritates me, although its nowhere near as loud, but it makes noise even on standby, but i don't know if you are supposed to turn it off at he mains