Brain tumor, cellphone, headaches

i have been stressed lately trying to move and save money but noticed head aches when talking on my cell phone but never experience headaches at any other time. Should i be concerned?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

A lot of researchers earlier have done studies that dismissed any bad effects of mobile phone use on the human brain. These studies even included a few large scale trials.

Recently, there are new research studies which tell a different story. For example, this trial by Hillert L et al, showed that people with radiofrequency exposure complained of headaches more than those who were given sham (false exposure).

There has been a case report of a sensori-neural deafness due to the GSM cell phone. ( Saudi Med J. 2007 Aug;28(8):1283-6.)

Please read this abstract about the effects of mobile phone use. The researchers have also recommended the appropriate use of cell phones......

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16918147?ordinalpos=17&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

I was surprised when I read the last sentence.." ...the study recommended not to increase the call duration more than four minutes and limit their frequency to less than seven calls/day with total duration of exposure less than 22 min./day."

There are more and more studies which are showing the detrimental effects of mobile phones. But thankfully there are not many reports of brain tumors induced by mobile phones. But a caution has been given by almost all the researchers.

I guess the best thing will be to limit cell phone use to minimum required. Also make sure you use both the ears for using the cell phone. With repeated cell phone use in any one ear, there is a risk of wax formation in that ear due to the moisture. Wax leads to headaches.

Regards