This is the reason why you are not to sleep with your mobile phone

Cell phones have long surpassed being a just a
device to make calls and receive messages. Our
dependency on its numerous features has got us
enslaved.
Today, almost all of us can’t survive without our
indispensable communication gadget. And it has
gone a step further, whether single or not, mobile
phones have becoming a sleeping companion to
people globally. There’s hardly any of us who goes
to bed without it. Despite health warnings of
radiation, we still keep it next to our faces near the
pillow or at the most, within an arm’s reach on the
bed side table. Well, it’s time to change all of
that...
Health warnings
Recently, the California Department of Health
warned that the public need to keep their mobile
phones several feet away from them to reduce
health risks and radiation exposure. The state
released guidance for reducing exposure to cell
phone radiation, surrounded by mounting evidence
that mobile use may be linked to cancer, attention,
mental health and reproductive health issues. Using
low frequency radio signals to transmit information,
cell phones put us at risk of unhealthy radiation,
especially when streaming or downloading large
files.
Though research has not definitively proven cell
phone radiation is dangerous, there have been
enough studies linking the two to exercise caution,
especially for children. The California statewide
notice issued warnings that citizens should make
some distance between their mobiles and their
bodies. The radio frequency (RF) energy cell phones
use to transmit information are at the bottom of the
radiation totem poll, but research suggests that our
frequent, close-range exposure to cell phones may
be enough to endanger us.
“Keeping a phone directly on the body has never
been a good idea,” says Dr Devra Davis of the
Environmental Health Trust. In fact, cell phone
makers themselves seem to agree. Apple, for
example, includes an ‘RF exposure’ notice in the
iPhone’s settings. Health studies have shown
evidence that mobile phone exposure may cause
tumours in the brain or ears, where the body is
frequently in contact with the gadget. Though
research on RF’s effects on children specifically is
fairly limited, many psychologists have already
warned that cell phone use may be linked to poorer
attention, mental health and sleep for adolescents.
International studies “have show that men who keep
their phone in their pockets the longest have lowest
sperm count, with most damage,” says Dr Davis.
“Many people keep their phones in their pockets for
hours a day, especially in the summer with thinner
exposures will be far greater,” she adds.
Contemporary cell phone signals use “the weakest
signals, but strength of the signals is not an issue
when comes to biological effect. It’s not the power,
it’s the irregular nature of signal,” says Davis.
Experts speak
Dr Ramakant Deshpande, oncologist, Asian Cancer
Institute, says, “Ionisation can impact children;
studies have shown it’s effects on the central
nervous system is higher. Children have greater
exposure to cellphones and this needs to be
reduced to avoid any long term health hazards.”
Radiation from cellphones have the potential to
cause cancer; there has been an increase in benign
tumours but not all cancers. Cellphones are very
useful in daily life and it is not possible to
completely stay away from them. It is suggested
that a balance should be maintained and cellphones
have to be used with care and precaution, cautions
Dr Deshpande.
Reproductive health
Dr Bandita Sinha, gynaecologist and infertility
specialist, World of Women clinic, says that cell
phone radiation can be harmful and will affect
fertility, although there are no studies that prove the
statistics of this radiation and its impact. However,
it is advisable to keep cell phones several feet away
from one’s body.
“If cell phones are kept closer to one’s body for a
longer period, it can have harmful effects. As
radiation affects brain and can also lead to hormonal
imbalance, it also affects the menstrual cycle. Using
cell phones for a longer period of time can impact
sleep, long term sleep disturbances cause menstrual
irregularities. Using a laptop on the lap regularly will
lower sperm count,” warns Dr Sinha.
What to do?
Dr Deshpande recommends keeping cell phones
away during bedtime and it should be switched off.
Reducing the cell phone exposure time is better
especially for children, putting in air plane more
may not necessarily be helpful.