The Neurologic and Neuropsychological Symptoms of Electric Shock

An electric shock is the physiological sensation, reaction, or injury caused by an electric current passing through a human body. It typically occurs when a person comes into contact with any electrical energy source that has the ability to cause a sufficient current through the muscles, skin, or hair.

How dangerous an electric shock is mainly depends on the power of the voltage, type of the current, how the current travels through a person’s body, and how quickly the person is treated. According to scientists, even a little amount of electricity can be dangerous. An electric shock is known to cause cardiac arrest, internal damage, neurologic and neuropsychological complications, and other injuries.

The Neurologic and Neuropsychological Effects of Electric Shock

Numerous studies conducted indicate that an electric shock ranging from 120-52,000 volts can cause severe neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms in humans. After an electrical accident, some patients show various emotional and behavioral after-effects such as memory loss, loss of consciousness, and depression.

Study Evidence

Dr. Benoit Bailey, an ER pediatrician and toxicologist collaborated with pediatricians Robert Thivierge and Pierre Gaudreault in a study whose aim was to assess the prevalence of short-term neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms after several months and also one year after an electric shock incident severe enough to have prompted a 24-hour cardiac monitoring.

The goal of the October 2000-November 2004 study was to find out whether any symptoms were associated with risk factors such as loss of consciousness, transthoracic current, tetany (neuromuscular spasms), or a shock of 1000 volts or more.

This is a study in which 134 patients aged 1-67 whose electric shocks were either from domestic causes (48% with shocks ranging from 120-240 volts) and others from industrial causes (38% with shocks ranging from 347-1200 volts) took part in.

Telephone follow-ups were also conducted to evaluate neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms such as muscular weakness, general fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, depression, psychological symptoms, pain, and extreme numbness. The first follow-up was finalized a few months after the electric shock accident while the second was carried out a year later.

During the short-term follow-up, the researchers found that 30 of 111 patients complained of new neurologic or neuropsychological symptoms. Common symptoms recorded were pain and general fatigue. Results from the one-year follow-up indicated that 24 of 86 patients still suffered from the symptoms. A few in the group even developed new symptoms.

From these studies, it’s plain to see that electric shock really does cause neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms. Although how electric shock causes these symptoms is somehow unclear, Doctor Bailey suggests that certain mechanisms are probably involved.

All the same, the fact that the effects of electric shock can cause late neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms should alarm all ER physicians in order to ensure that treatment is provided with immediate effect.

What Is the Reason behind Earth’s Magnetic Field?

Earth’s magnetic field has been a debate since the 13th century when the philosophers noticed lodestones turning north for the first time. Queen Elizabeth’s physician, William Gilbert brought it in the spotlight stating that the globe is a great magnet. Scientists now think that Earth is an electromagnet. They believe the Earth is a source of a magnetic field which is a large electric current of billions of amperes. It is said to be in the core fluid of the Earth.

This believed magnetic field in the core of the Earth has been questioning the scientist minds since forever. Nobody has ever developed an urge to go for the mythical journey and figure out the real science. No one has ever taken the journey to the center of the Earth and has been able to evaluate the physics behind this.

Shockwave Study

By studying the shockwaves of earthquakes that travel throughout the planet, scientists have been able to lightly describe its structure. In the center of the Earth, there is a hard inner core that is supposed to be two-thirds of the Moon’s size. This core is completely composed up of iron. At 57,000 C hellish, this core iron becomes as hot as the surface of the Sun. When it reaches such a point, the pressure of crushing caused by gravity helps to prevent it from turning into liquid.

Inner Core Behavior

The center core has got a thick layer of 2,000 km of nickel, iron and other quantities of metals. The metal in the inner core is present in the fluid form. The difference in temperature, composition, and pressure of the outer core ignites convection currents and the molten metal becomes cool, the dense matter becomes warm and furthermore, the less dense matter comes above. Coriolis force due to which the Earth is able to spin is also responsible for swirling whirlpools.

The flow of the liquid iron is responsible for generating electric currents that in return produce magnetic fields. The charged metals that pass through these fields make the electric current on their own and continue the cycle. This self-sustaining loop cycle is known as geodynamo.

Overall, the spiraling occurring through the Coriolis force means that there are separate fields created which roughly align in one direction. The combined effect of these fields keeps on adding up and makes up an entirely large magnetic field that engulfs the planet.

The past studies reveal this concept about the Earth’s magnetic field. The history plays an important role in bringing the topic to the table. Even after the variations, the magnetic field has been losing its energy and cannot possibly be more than 10,000 years old. Now, the Earth’s magnetic field is no longer a history.

Inductive Charging, Wave of the Future

The electric car manufacturers are still in disarray regarding a standardized electric charging plug that would be able to service the many different kinds of battery arrays employed in their designs. Many see this as a creation of a monopoly as to a potential goldmine running alongside the increased popularity of the electric car.

To prevent this perceived collusion, an alternative charging option needs to be created, and the best available technology for such is called inductive charging. In this kind of charging, an electromagnetic field transfers energy between two objects. In the case of the electric car, it is between the battery and the charging station. What is essential is that there is compatibility between the inductive coupling configuration between the car and the charger and if compatible, recharging would be a definite breeze.

The set up of this technology is the use of an induction coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field within a defined charging base. A second induction coil is then located in the electric car and can derive power from the electromagnetic field. This collected energy is then turned into electrical current that in turn recharges the battery of the vehicle. In essence, the electric vehicle and the charging base form an electrical transformer. Another technology that allows charging over great distances is the use of a resonant inductive coupling.

There are many advantages in the use of wireless charging for electric vehicles. One of them is the lower risk of electrical shock because of the absence of exposed conductors, unlike conductive charging. The presence of water is also not a deterrent for the charging to be done because of the physical set-up of the car and the charger. Convenience is also another attribute that makes this set up more attractive because wires and other connectors need not be in line or properly attached as merely placing the car over the charging plate can recharge the battery.

There are a few drawbacks though to this wireless charging set up. The charging efficiency is relatively lower compared to other platforms. Furthermore, heat is generated in large quantities that may pose a danger to the electric car. Another issue is the increased cost of the infrastructure as there is a greater demand for drive electronics and coils instead of the standard plug and charge set up of other chargers. These particular drawbacks though are being addressed through reduction of transfer loss and increasing efficiency through ultra thin coils, higher frequencies, and optimized drive electronics. Soon enough, the wireless charging system can eventually take over what the wall charger for the electric car failed to address for all the parties concerned.