[Biotropic effects of electromagnetic fields: benefit or harm?].

An overview contains the analysis of controversial literary data on possible therapeutic and pathogenic effects of electromagnetic fields on humans. The non-specific character of body shifts induced by electromagnetic fields with a prevalence of adaptive reactions at the onset and an emergence of dysadaptive processes during extremely long exposure was displayed. The leading role in the development of a therapeutic or pathogenic effect is played by the functional characteristics of an individual postulating the interaction of cumulative and adaptive processes in the body during long-term exposure in an electromagnetic field.