A beauty parlour is not exactly a place one thinks of when asked about dangerous places. The most dangerous thing there could at most be a bad haircut that you then have to endure for at least a few months.
However, the news of a 50-year-old woman from Hyderabad recently suffering from a stroke-like thing while she was getting her hair washed before a haircut has left many perplexed.
The doctor to the woman said that the woman said she was experiencing symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting when she was getting her “hair washed with shampoo in a beauty parlour “.
This in turn has brought attention to what some medical professionals call the “Beauty Parlour Stroke Syndrome” which basically means of one suffering from a stroke when an important blood vessel in the brain is pressed while the person’s head was bent back for the hair wash.
What Do Doctors Say About The Phenomenon?
Soon after the news came out, one Twitter thread by neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar went viral wherein he explained what happened and what it is called.
He further added that
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Other medical experts have also commented on this phenomenon and whether one should be fearing it or not.
As per an Indian Express report Dr Vinay Goyal, director, Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Medanta, Gurugram said “The syndrome occurs when the neck is hyperextended to some extent as a result of a jerk or certain pressure while having your hair shampooed and remaining in that position for an extended period of time.
The hyperextension of the neck can cause artery compression from simply changing position, or the bones can slide a little bit one over the other, resulting in carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Dissection is blood vessel tear, resulting in a blood clot that travels to your brain and causes a stroke.”
Dr Vipul Gupta, Director, Neuro-Intervention, Artemis Agrim Institute of Neurosciences, Gurugram, has added as a caution that “Although the syndrome is pretty rare, several reports have suggested that over 10 per cent women are at a risk of suffering from a brain stroke while tilting their neck to get a shampoo hair wash at the beauty parlour.
The stroke occurs in the PICA area due to cerebral artery dissection or vertebral artery compression in people having one side of the artery thinner than the other, blocking the artery to supply blood to the cerebellum and the brainstem. Symptoms can include severe dizziness, blurry vision, loss of balance, slurry speech and facial numbness.”
Given the topic of whether it is a cause of panic or not Dr. Goyal has said that there is no need for that. He said
“There is no need to be concerned about the condition because it is a very rare occurrence. Millions of people get massages and hair washes at salons on a daily basis and we don’t get very serious cases relating to them.
However, staff at these salons should exercise caution when washing and massaging customers, especially the elderly. On their part, customers should request gentle massages rather than vigorous massages, as this may put pressure on the vessels and, as a result, the brain, which might result in stroke. Do check the tilt angle of the sink for your comfort.
In addition, it is advised if customers suffer from a recurring pain post-massage, they should immediately consult a doctor instead of waiting it out.
I would also advise against getting home massages from the many service providers. While some salons may have trained masseurs, most don’t and would not be aware of protocols. In the end, a wrong move or pressure could prove costly.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature Image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Firstpost, Business Standard, The Indian Express
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