Let me tell you a little secret – well, my least favorite part about getting my hair done at a salon isn’t the cost, or the fear my hairdresser will cut 3 inches, when I ask for 1! My least favorite part about getting my hair done at a salon is actually having my hair washed and rinsed in the sink. And, you probably know the one – it’s got a groove for your neck, but it’s still oh-so-uncomfortable. Well, you should be very careful, because there’s actually something much more serious at stake than discomfort. Your hairdresser might be putting you at risk of getting a Beauty Parlor Stroke. And, now you probably ask yourself – what’s a beauty parlor stroke? Well, the experts say that it’s a stroke caused by damage to the blood vessels in your neck, as a result of the strain and jerky movements the salon’s shampoo sink creates. One woman noticed sudden weakness in her left arm and left leg about a week after a trip to her hair salon. Then, in about another week, she was rushed to the hospital with nausea, projectile vomiting, and a head that was hot to the touch. The doctors confirmed that she had suffered a stroke.
What is a stroke?
Can I ask you a simple question – do you know what’s a stroke? Well, a stroke is a disease caused by restricted oxygen in the brain. When a blood vessel is blocked or damaged, it leads to abnormal blood flow or even clotting. This reduced blood flow makes its way to the brain and kills brain cells. The physical consequences depend on which region of the brain was affected. For example, damage in the left side of the brain can lead to problems with speech and language or problems in the right side of the body. Damage in the right side of the brain can lead to vision loss or problems in the left side of the body. And, I really think that you’ll be shocked when we tell you that stroke is the #5 most common cause of death in the USA, and the #1 most common cause of disability. Stroke victims are 40% men and 60% women, and the risk of stroke increases with age. Still, 80% of strokes could have been prevented!
Symptoms of stroke:
- One-sided weakness
- Drooping face
- Impaired speech (may sound intoxicated)
- Loss of vision, double vision, or spinning vision
- Stroke Prevention
In the hair salon:
Here’s what you need to do – this is very important for you to know: you should protect your neck! Make sure your hairdresser washes your hair in a sink that is comfortable for your height, or in an adjustable chair. Always rest the back of your neck on at least one folded towel (more is better) to minimize the strain.
At home:
And, when you’re at home, you should manage your blood pressure. The experts say that blood pressure is the largest preventable factor in getting strokes. Keeping your high blood pressure in check can make one of the biggest differences of stroke prevention.
- First of all, you should always have a balanced, healthy diet. If you’re eating foods that are too high in trans-fat, cholesterol, and sodium, you’re increasing your risk of stroke every day. Instead, focus on eating whole foods with healthy fat contents, flavor your meals with salt alternatives, and watch your sugar intake. For more tips you can check out this article.
- This is also very important for you and your health in general – get active! It’s not only about what you put in your body, it’s about what you do with it. If your daily lifestyle lacks exercise, you increase your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
- If you, or anyone around you, start to experience the symptoms of a stroke, seek medical attention immediately! The faster you respond to the warning signs, the better your chances of survival and recovery. We really hope you find this article helpful and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. Thank you and have a good one!