WHAT IS 'BEAUTY PARLOR STROKE SYNDROME' AND HOW DO I AVOID IT?

Beauty parlor stroke syndrome is the slang name for an uncommon condition that is caused by the neck becoming overextended during hair washing in salons.

In these cases the angle between the salon-style bowl and the back of the client sitting in a chair over-extends, which typically means passing 20 degrees. 

This can cause enough of a gap between the vertebrae in the neck for the vertebral artery, so-called because it runs through the bones, to become pinched between them.

If this occurs, it may lead to a dissection, or tearing in the wall of the artery, which can interrupt blood flow and cause it to pool.

Because arteries do not contain nerves, there is no pain associated with getting a dissection. 

When the flow of blood is interrupted, it triggers platelets to start forming a clot, a usually helpful reaction that stops bleeding and plugs wounds.

However, when this occurs inside a blood vessel, it can also prove fatal if the clot re-enters the bloodstream and is pumped into nearby organs, such as heart, lungs or brain.

There it can cause a blockage, meaning the organ malfunctions. In the brain, it starves it of oxygen, causing parts to become damaged or die.

Typically it takes several weeks for a clot to reach a size large enough to block an artery, during which time the patient will be unaware of what is happening. 

Symptoms of stroke include burred or spinning vision, slurring speech, a drop in one side of the face and weakness or pins and needles in the limbs. 

In order to avoid beauty parlor stroke syndrome, people should inform their stylist of any neck issues and ensure the wash basin and seat are adjusted for their height.

If the chair or basin is not adjustable, then towels can be used to reduce the angle between the head and back. Alternately, hair can be flipped over the head and washed while facing down into the bowl instead of up at the ceiling. 

Over-extension of the neck can cause the vertebral artery (pictured with arrows) to become dissected, causing a blood clot which in turn causes a stroke