Although most women visit beauty salons to get their hair done, not many know of the health risks such a visit can bring on. Everyone who’s at least once been at a beauty parlor to have their hair trimmed or dyed will agree that the sinks these places use for hair washing are extremely uncomfortable. These sinks do have a groove for your neck, but this curve is so uncomfortable that it often causes severe strain on your neck, which results in pain.
It is the salon’s shampoo sink that puts you at an increased risk of a Beauty Parlor Stroke. It may sound unbelievable, but the strain and jerky movements you experience while resting your head on the sink may cause serious damage to blood vessels in your neck, which in turn leads to a stroke. A week after a trip to a hair salon, one woman noticed sudden weakness in her left arm and left leg. A week later, she was taken to the hospital with nausea, projectile vomiting, and a head that was hot to the touch. She was diagnosed with a stroke.
What is a stroke?
A stroke usually occurs as a result of limited blood and oxygen supply to the brain. A blocked or damaged blood vessel obstructs normal blood flow or even causes clotting, which consequently kills brain cells. The complications that occur as a result of a stroke depend on which part of the brain was affected. For instance, a stroke in the left hemisphere of the brain impairs speech and language or cause problems in the right side of the body. On the other hand, a stroke in the right brain hemisphere can result in vision loss or problems in the left side of the body.
It’s important to know that stroke is the fifth most common cause of death in the USA, and the first most common cause of disability. It typically affects more women (60%) than men (40%). The risk of stroke significantly increases with age, but still, 80% of strokes can be prevented.
Common stroke symptoms:
– one-sided weakness,
– drooping face,
– impaired speech (may sound intoxicated),
– loss of vision, double vision, or spinning vision.
Stroke Prevention
In the hair salon:
It’s important to protect your neck. Ask for an adjustable chair or a sink that’s right for your height when your hairdresser washes your hair. Also, you can significantly minimize the strain by resting the back of your neck on at least one or more folded towels.
At home:
Keep your blood pressure under control because hypertension is one of the major preventable factors linked to strokes.
Follow a healthy, well-balanced diet. A diet rich in trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium drastically increases your risk of a stroke. In contrast, whole foods with a healthy fat content are far more beneficial. Also, stick to salt alternatives when flavoring your meals, and cut down your sugar intake.
Physical activity is as important for overall health as is a healthy diet. Lack of activity or a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, puts you at a higher risk of hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Last, but not least, prompt reaction to the early signs of a stroke increases a person’s chance of survival and recovery. Seeking immediate medical attention at the earliest signs is critical for staying alive!