Most people do not spend much time thinking about how their cell phones affect their health. Indeed, most of us don't give much thought to how they work. We just turn them on and thank our lucky stars that they do! However, the technological underpinnings of these handy devices are worth a second look, as they may have profound effects on our health and functioning.

Your Phone and Your Health?

What's the entire health hullabaloo about? Simple. It's about electromagnetic radiation and its possible effects on the human body. Still sound too complex? Well, it doesn't need to be. The main thing to know is that your cell phone transmits messages via its antenna. This, in turn, relies on electromagnetic fields.

Whenever you use your cell phone, it emits electromagnetic radiation from the antenna. Admittedly, it is a very small amount--in fact, a minute fraction of what your average microwave uses. However, since the phone is held directly to the head, sometimes for long stretches of time, there has been concern about adverse health reactions.

It is unclear how much of this concern is warranted. However, given that the potentially bad outcomes include serious illnesses such as cancer and lymphatic disorders, it seems worthwhile to exercise caution until the final word comes in on the matter. These days, there are a variety of radiation shields that can be affixed to the phone antenna to allow for safe, easy cell phone use.