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Sunday, September 29, 2024

What is ischemic stroke: symptoms and causes of cerebral ischemia

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Cerebral ischemia occurs when not enough blood reaches the brain. Recognizing symptoms quickly is key to avoiding sequelae.
What is ischemic stroke symptoms and causes of cerebral ischemia
  • What is ischemic stroke?
  • Causes of cerebral ischemia
  • Cerebral ischemia: symptoms
  • How is cerebral ischemia different from stroke?
  • What is the treatment for cerebral ischemia?

Our brain is, perhaps, the most delicate part of our body and is tremendously sensitive to interruptions in blood flow. If you do not receive the oxygen and nutrients you need, you can suffer irreparable damage and you have to be aware of the symptoms that this causes to act as soon as possible. We tell you what ischemic stroke is and how to recognize it.

WHAT IS ISCHEMIC STROKE?

Cerebral ischemia (or ischemic stroke) occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the brain, preventing brain tissue from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs.

  • Brain tissue stops working seconds after it lacks the supply of oxygen and glucose that provides blood flow and begins to die within 5 minutes. In other parts of the body, however, this occurs after 20-40 minutes.

The severity of brain damage from cerebral ischemia will depend on two factors: how long the brain has been without blood flow and how long the brain has been affected.

That is why cerebral ischemia is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If left untreated, it can lead to death or significant and permanent brain injury.

CAUSES OF CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

Cerebral ischemia can affect the entire brain (global) or a single area (focal):

  • Focal cerebral ischemia affects an area of the brain supplied by an artery and is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. It occurs when a blood clot plugs a blood vessel in the brain and reduces blood flow to a specific area of the brain. It can be caused by a thrombosis (when the clot has formed in the wall of the cerebral artery) or an embolism (if the clot has originated elsewhere in the body, such as the heart).
  • Global cerebral ischemia occurs when blood flow to the brain stops or slows, something that is often the result of cardiac arrest.

Cerebral ischemia is associated with various diseases such as blood vessel problems, plaque buildup in the arteries, very low blood pressure as a result of a heart attack, congenital heart defects, or sickle cell anemia.

In rare cases, an infection can led to cerebral ischemia (in fact, it is believed that infection with the COVID-19 virus may increase the risk).

The main risk factors related to cerebral ischemia are obesity, not practicing physical exercise, hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, having high cholesterol and smoking.

CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA: SYMPTOMS

The main symptoms of cerebral ischemia include:

  • Problems with vision, movement, and speech.
  • Difficulty understanding what others are saying.
  • Weakness or paralysis in the face and body, often affecting only one side of the body.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Blindness or double vision.
  • Coordination problems.
  • Sudden, severe headache.
  • Dizziness or vertigo.

These measures can help distinguish cerebral ischemia quickly:

  • Raise both arms above the head: if one falls slumped, it is a sign of stroke or cerebral ischemia.
  • Smile. If one side of the mouth falls, it is a clear sign.
  • Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and see if it costs them.

If you or someone who is with you experiences any of the symptoms of cerebral ischemia, call the emergency room immediately, because the longer you go without receiving medical attention, the worse the sequelae.

HOW IS CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA DIFFERENT FROM STROKE?

The term stroke (or stroke) encompasses all neurological lesions that have a vascular cause. That is, cerebral ischemia is a type of stroke, along with subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage (which are due to the rupture of a cerebral blood vessel).

  • In fact, cerebral ischemia is the most common type of stroke and accounts for 87% of all strokes.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and its prevalence increases with age: almost 75% of cases affect people over 65 years of age. It is more common among African-Americans and Hispanics than Caucasians and affects almost as many men as women.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA?

The treatment of cerebral ischemia is aimed at correcting its cause and ensuring adequate cerebral blood flow.

It may consist of medicines to dissolve blood clots or reduce the chance of blood clotting and may also include surgery to remove clots.

Rehabilitation is often needed to recover affected brain functions such as speech, movements, etc.

After recovery, it is essential to make a change in habits to avoid a second cerebral ischemia and quit smoking, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

What does a person with fibromyalgia feel?

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Fibromyalgia can be associated with many different symptoms. It is also a disorder that each person lives differently. However, chronic pain without a known organic cause is always present. Natural medicine can offer effective help.
What does a person with fibromyalgia feel

Fibromyalgia is not a fad or a new disease. It’s most likely a new name for a disorder that has always existed. The current name is descriptive: pain of the muscle fibers, but in reality, the symptoms can be very varied, so much so that most patients go from consultation to consultation for years until they receive the diagnosis: you have fibromyalgia.

In 2000, the EPISER study estimated that fibromyalgia affected 2.4% of the Spanish population, with an incidence four times higher in women than in men. It is also possible that similar symptoms are diagnosed in women as fibromyalgia and in men as stress or burnout syndrome. But what does a person with fibromyalgia feel?

WHAT A PERSON WITH FIBROMYALGIA FEELS

Fibromyalgia is a whole collection of different symptoms. Here’s what a person with fibromyalgia may feel:

1. DIFFUSE AND PERSISTENT PAIN

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is paining those spreads and persists throughout the body. Patients are rarely able to tell where exactly it hurts. The pain seems to be everywhere, in the joints, in the muscles, in the organs. You can also move from one place to another. Sometimes it hurts in one place, then it disappears and a few days later the pain reappears.

Fortunately, fibromyalgia patients have good days, without discomfort, but with any effort or overload, the pain returns, either because of cold or hot weather, either because of too much work, too much stress, too much sport or because of an infection.

2. MENTAL “FOG”

Many people experience a kind of fog or lack of clarity or mental agility, with difficulty concentrating and memory lapses.

3. SENSITIVITY TO COLD AND HEAT

Many fibromyalgia patients endure cold and especially drafts poorly. They are often already freezing when other people still find the temperature to be pleasant.

However, if temperatures start to rise in summer, the heat can equally become a nuisance and those affected by fibromyalgia quickly suffer sweats and hot flashes.

4. EXCESSIVE SENSITIVITY TO IRRITATION

In the same way, an increased sensitivity to irritation can develop:

  • Noise and noises are perceived as extremely unpleasant. Patients avoid situations where people are talking at the same time (eating at the bar, at a party, etc.) and are even bothered by the rattle of the fork on someone else’s plate.
  • Bright light is equally uncomfortable. The best thing for them is not to leave home without sunglasses.
  • Smells often take on threatening proportions, but it’s not a real stench that bothers them, even smells that others haven’t even noticed are extremely annoying to them.
  • Those affected want to ventilate all the time, and in rooms where there are several people (perfume, deodorant) they hardly endure.
  • Physical contact is also experienced as unpleasant. Sometimes they are bothered by firm touches (pressure, massage), but sometimes also by very light rubbing.

5. DIGESTIVE AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Falling asleep isn’t usually a problem in fibromyalgia, but staying asleep is. Often, those affected wake up after a few hours of sleep and can no longer fall asleep. In the morning they feel exhausted and unproductive.

It is not uncommon for patients to be diagnosed with irritable bowel, because they present the corresponding symptoms: abdominal cramps, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation or even alternating diarrhea and constipation.

Food intolerances such as histamine intolerance, gluten intolerance or fructose intolerance also occur.

6. DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Fibromyalgia can often be accompanied by anxiety and depression. Sometimes depression came before pain, while in other patients it develops in the course of fibromyalgia, which is not surprising since the disease is extremely stressful.

7. FLUCTUATIONS IN BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Many fibromyalgia patients have problems with blood sugar levels. They seem to be much more sensitive to carbohydrates than other people. The consequent fluctuations of blood sugar with paralyzing periods of hypoglycemia cause dizziness, palpitations, concentration disorders, night sweats, etc.

However, these symptoms can also have completely different causes, such as gluten intolerance.

7. MANY MORE SYMPTOMS

Some people also suffer from shortness of breath, irritable bladder, headache and facial pain, tinnitus, numbness or tingling in the extremities, dry mucous membranes, dry eyes, forgetfulness, feeling of stiffness, swelling from fluid retention, itching, atopic dermatitis and heavy night sweats.

HOW FIBROMYALGIA IS DIAGNOSED

In many affected by fibromyalgia the symptoms are so intense that they prevent them from living a normal life. They can’t go to work and the simplest household chores become impossible. In addition, dizziness, tiredness, lapses and lack of concentration increase the risk of accidents. Fibromyalgia is, therefore, a disease that cannot be ignored

To make matters worse, visits to the doctor and specialist are usually fruitless. Blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, endoscopies, and other tests that the doctor may order do not get a conclusive result.

Therefore, fibromyalgia is diagnosed when you suffer from a collection of symptoms that include pains distributed throughout the body, and a physical and mental fatigue for which no other cause can be found.

In fact, each person with fibromyalgia suffers from it in a different way: for some the suffering is mainly psychological and for others it is physical. Other patients suffer mostly from extreme sensitivity to external stimuli.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all over the body, extreme tiredness, muscle stiffness. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people who don’t have it, and may suffer from anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or concentration problems, among other symptoms.

Until now the diagnosis has been made from the symptoms, because there were no known organic alterations detectable by analytical tests. This lack of evidence for fibromyalgia has led many doctors to believe that it is a problem of psychological or nervous origin. It also causes the diagnosis to arrive months or years late, since the patient begins his journey through medical consultations in search of help.

POSSIBLE TEST TO DETERMINE FIBROMYALGIA

This could change after the study conducted by American and Israeli researchers, who have discovered peculiar characteristics in the microbiota and bile acids of patients. The finding could facilitate diagnosis and contribute to the development of new treatments.

The study, published in the journal Pain, states that an abnormally reduced concentration of a secondary bile acid is found in the blood of fibromyalgia patients. This acid is a result of the metabolism in the liver of bile acids broken down by the intestinal microbiota.

The researchers compared 42 healthy women with 42 women with fibromyalgia and observed that the metabolizing gut bacteria were not identical in both groups, and in addition the women with fibromyalgia had significant alterations in the concentration of secondary bile acids in the blood. In addition, the values corresponded to the intensity of the symptoms.

Therefore, the measurement of secondary bile acids in blood serum can be converted into a diagnostic test for fibromyalgia. According to the researchers, the analysis currently has a diagnostic accuracy of 90%. This percentage could improve in the future.

The study, led by Dr. Yoram Shir of the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the McGill University Health Centre, says that in fibromyalgia patients the blood concentration of alpha-muricolic acid can be up to five times lower in fibromyalgia patients, compared to healthy people.

To analyze correlations between bile acids and different gut bacteria, the researchers turned to DNA sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence.

Because diet influences gut microbiota composition, researchers looked at patients’ eating habits in another study, but found no relationship between nutrients and types of bile acid-metabolizing bacteria. But they could verify that a better quality of the diet from the nutritional point of view is reflected in a milder symptomatology and less depression.

These findings suggest that both fibromyalgia symptoms and gut microbiome alterations associated with the disease are likely not due to nutritional differences, but to other factors, whether environmental, intrinsic, or both. More studies will be needed to determine the causes of fibromyalgia.

NATURAL TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA

Natural therapies offer valuable complementary resources for fibromyalgia patients. In the following articles you can find guidelines and tips:

  • 8 Natural Keys to Fibromyalgia Relief
  • The 10 foods to relieve fibromyalgia
  • Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia: how to improve insomnia and tiredness
  • Balneotherapy is effective in treating fibromyalgia
  • Probiotics improve mental state in fibromyalgia
  • CBD Oil May Help in Fibromyalgia

Is it advisable to do a 24-hour fast?

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The 24-hour fast or one-day fast is one of the most attractive because it seems easy to assume, but how is it done? And most importantly: does it bring you benefits?
Is it advisable to do a 24-hour fast
  • How to do a one-day fast
  • What can be taken
  • What to do during the day
  • Benefits of 24-hour fasting

A fasting day, 24 hours, is a slightly longer fast than what we practice daily at night or overnight fasting. The advantage is that 24 hours is enough time to make sure we get into ketosis, that is, start burning fat as the main fuel.

To do it requires two things: to be mentalized and well informed that the 24-hour fast that is going to be performed is a physiological maneuver, and to understand its mechanism to put into action.

The simplest thing when doing a 24-hour fast is to do without dinner one day and breakfast and lunch the next. This allows us to enter ketosis, which we can easily verify, because one of the signs that we have begun this type of metabolism will be the appearance of acetone in the urine, very simple to measure.

You can do this 24-hour fast once a week, every week, as a hygienic custom. We would therefore be doing a weekly intermittent fast.

HOW TO DO A ONE-DAY FAST

The first few times imagine your 24-hour fast as a long-distance race: go little by little and watch your sensations.

Sometimes they are unpleasant sensations, such as nausea or headache, but in most cases they are temporary.

The ideal is to get up at dawn, stretch well and start daily cleaning, with water. Wash your teeth, tongue and skin thoroughly.

WHAT CAN BE TAKEN

As explained in detail in the video you have at the beginning of this article, during the 24 hours of fasting we can drink water, diluted juices and some infusion or vegetable broth, because these liquids will not break the fast and will help us maintain it.

The infusions can be adapted if you have a health problem that you want to influence. But, in general, these are some examples of infusions that can be taken during fasting and that will help you in the process:

  • Rosemary and anise grains
  • Licorice and anise grains
  • Licorice and mint
  • Thyme and anise grains

These infusions are mainly aimed at stimulating blood pressure which, in general, decreases during fasting. They are not indicated in hypertensive people.

An infusion alternative for hypertensive people would be anise grain, lemon balm and orange blossom.

WHAT TO DO DURING THE DAY

The rest of the day you can do what you do normally, without missing:

  • A walk in the natural environment.
  • A sunny time.
  • A little exercise, with natural movements: walking, running, climbing, crawling, crawling, doing household chores such as cleaning the room or washing clothes…

“Unfasting,” the first meal after fasting, should be vegetable, with fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal or legumes, without heated fat or refined sugars.

BENEFITS OF 24-HOUR FASTING

The benefits of these “intermittent” fasts have been described in medicine since historical times, but in recent years many papers have been published on their effects. An example: those of Nobel laureate Oshinori Ohsumi on autophagy, the mechanism that is activated with fasting and high-intensity exercise, and on its therapeutic applications. It has also been shown to be beneficial for the inflamed intestine or affected by an infection.

In fasting, the energy stored in fat cells is used for cell repair, stress resistance and rejuvenation, so that day of fasting will have a revitalizing effect on us. This is a benefit of 24-hour fasting that we can all benefit from.

Fasting also facilitates weight loss and the elimination of body fat.

Fasting is also used for therapeutic purposes, for example:

  • In rheumatic diseases, improving symptoms, or drug-resistant epilepsy.
  • It has the potential to delay brain aging by modifying nutrient sensory pathways in the brain and increasing synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection.
  • Fasting results in reduced insulin and leptin levels, increased insulin sensitivity and diabetes resistance, reduced resting heart rate and blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability (as a result of increased parasympathetic tone).
  • There is also a decrease in inflammation, an increase in the resistance of the brain and heart to stress and an improvement in functional outcome in models of stroke, myocardial infarction and arteriosclerosis problems.
  • It also helps fight infections. In fact, almost always the body reacts by losing its appetite until the infection passes.
  • Finally, thanks to the work of Valter Longo, it has been seen that, in cases of tumors, fasting provides additive and possibly synergistic effects when combined with drugs used in the standard treatment of cancer.

Hair masks: the best for hair and your health

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Conventional masks can offer a good result at the moment, but they contain ingredients that are not beneficial in the long term. Your hair deserves masks with natural ingredients.
Hair masks the best for hair and your health

In winter, we long for a warm bath or a hot shower. However, too hot water damages the hair, deprives it of moisture and this causes it to dry out and become brittle. Changes between dry and hot environment indoors and cold and wet outdoors don’t help either. So, we look for solutions in “repairing power”, “deep care” masks and with other properties with which manufacturers want to sell their products. However, not all masks are able to offer something positive to our hair.

The truth is that, in recent years, the quality of the ingredients of hair masks has improved a lot. More and more manufacturers are removing dubious or harmful substances from their formulations.

However, there are still inadvisable products that should not be on the shelf of drugstores and supermarkets. We explain what are the problematic substances found in these products and how to choose the best hair masks.

UNHEALTHY HAIR MASKS

Conventional hair masks contain suspicious substances. The first problem is musky perfumes. It is possible to find in the masks synthetic aromas that incorporate galaxolid and tonalid, odor-fixing substances, which accumulate in human adipose tissue and in the environment, and are suspected of being endocrine disruptors. The Environmental Working Group, which maintains a major database on cosmetic ingredients, considers them “unacceptable.”

Also unacceptable are preservative ingredients such as chloromethyl isothiazolinone (CLMI) due to their irritating and allergenic potential, the use of which is already legally limited to products that are then rinsed. In addition, it is an organ halogenated compound that, once released into the environment, behaves as a persistent pollutant.

Other organ halogenated preservatives are chlorphenamine and chlorhexidine Di gluconate, which are equally undesirable.

HOW DO HAIR MASKS WORK ON THE HAIR?

Apart from aromas and preservatives, masks contain natural or synthetic oils that confer shine and manageability. Or substances such as keratin and panthenol, which penetrate deeper into the hair and make it flexible.

In the long term, hair treatments can protect against damage, what they cannot do is repair those that have already occurred in the structure of the hair, no matter how much they claim it in their advertising.

Some manufacturers speak of “immediate repair”, of “90 percent less hair breakage” or that “it helps repair six months of damage in a single application”. Of course, they cannot provide evidence supported by independent laboratories or publications.

What they can do is simulate the repair. To do this, they include among the ingredients silicones that form a thin film on the hair. In the long run, however, they can weigh down the hair and prevent really beneficial substances from penetrating it.

Silicones are harmless to health, but in the environment, they degrade very slowly and can interfere with the balance of ecosystems.

HOMEMADE AND NATURAL HAIR MASKS

To avoid encountering undesirable or toxic components, especially if you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, it is a good idea to bet on certified natural or organic cosmetic products, which are made only with natural substances without side effects.

Natural products include vegetable oils, such as coconut, almond or avocado oils, essential oils and plant extracts with softening properties, and moisturizing substances such as aloe vera gel.

Another option is to prepare your own mask with ingredients that you can have in the pantry. For example, mix 2 tablespoons of coconut aceie, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and a teaspoon of yogurt (it can also be honey). Apply the mixture to damp hair and let it act for 20-30 minutes. Then clarify and observe the change. The best results are achieved with regular use.

Why Vitamin D “Cleanses” the Brain and Reduces the Risk of Dementia

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Evidence is mounting that vitamin D is needed to protect against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. One study shows that people who supplement have less risk.
Why Vitamin D Cleanses the Brain and Reduces the Risk of Dementia

Getting the right amount of vitamin D each day could reduce the risk of developing dementia with age, according to researchers at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary and the University of Exeter. The study has been published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Studies that discover new properties of this vitamin do not stop appearing. which has traditionally been associated with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Recently, for example, supplementation has been found to reduce the risk of melanoma. It has now been found to be also important for keeping the brain in good shape and preventing neurological degeneration.

VITAMIN D DELAYS THE ONSET OF DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS

The study authors looked at the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia among 12,388 people gathered in the U.S. National Alzheimer’s Coordination Center cohort.

The average age of these participants was 71 years and all were dementia-free at the time of enrollment. Within the group, 37 percent (4,637) reported taking vitamin D supplements.

The research team found that taking vitamin D was linked to a longer dementia-free period. In the group of people taking vitamin B supplements, the incidence of dementia diagnoses was 40% lower.

In the entire sample analyzed, a total of 2,696 participants developed dementia over the course of a decade. Among that group, 2,017 (75%) had no exposure to vitamin D at all visits prior to receiving a dementia diagnosis, while 679 (25%) had baseline exposure.

“We know that vitamin D has some effects on the brain that could have implications for reducing dementia, however, until now, research had yielded conflicting results. Our findings offer key insights into groups we could specifically target for vitamin D supplementation. Overall, we found evidence that supplementation before the onset of cognitive decline could be particularly beneficial,” explains the director of the research, Professor Zahinoor Ismail in a statement from the university.

CAN VITAMIN D BEAT THE ALZHEIMER’S GENE?

While vitamin D was shown to be effective in all groups, the researchers note that the effects were significantly greater in women. Similarly, the effects were greater in those with normal cognition, unlike those who reported signs of mild cognitive impairment (changes in cognition linked to an increased risk of dementia).

Interestingly, taking vitamin D also appears to have a greater impact on those who don’t carry the APOE (apolipoprotein E) gene, which studies show increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.

Researchers speculate that this is because carriers absorb vitamin D more efficiently in their gut, possibly reducing the effect of vitamin D supplementation. However, the team did not analyze blood levels to test this hypothesis.

Previous studies show that low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of dementia and vitamin D may play a role in removing beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. The accumulation of this protein is a hallmark of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Other projects indicate that vitamin D may also help protect the brain against the buildup of “tau,” another protein with a strong link to the development of dementia.

MORE CLINICAL STUDIES NEEDED

“The link to vitamin D in this study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may be beneficial in preventing or delaying dementia, but we now need clinical trials to confirm whether this is indeed the case. The ongoing Vitamin study, at the University of Exeter, is exploring this issue by randomly assigning participants to take vitamin D or placebo and examining changes in memory and thinking tests over time,” said Dr. Byron Creese, co-author of the study.

VITAMIN D: THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN

Active vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is obtained from a physiological process in the body that begins with exposure of the skin to radiation from the sun. It is estimated that 15 minutes of sun exposure can generate 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D. The exact production depends on the season, geographical location, skin type and amount of skin exposed.

In addition, small doses of vitamin D3 are ingested with foods of animal origin and vitamin D2 (which in the body is transformed into D3), which is found in mushrooms that have been dried in the sun, especially shiitakes.

Vitamin D deficiency is common, probably because we spend too much time indoors, especially during the winter. Supplementation can serve to correct the consequences of this behavior.

Before taking a supplement, you can assess if you suffer from a deficiency with a simple blood test. If the level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (calcidiol) is less than 40 ng/mL, it can be said that there is a deficiency. To correct it, a dose of 4,000 IU can be taken for two to three months.

Why Gel and Shellac Nails Should Be Avoided (New Research)

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It has been scientifically proven that frequent application of gel nails can be harmful. We explain the health effects of shellac and gel manicures and what more natural alternatives exist.
Why Gel and Shellac Nails Should Be Avoided (New Research)

Shellac and gel nails are two popular techniques in manicure. In both cases, gel or varnish is applied to the nails, which then hardens with the help of ultraviolet light. This makes the color stand out and last longer.

SHELLAC NAILS AND GEL NAILS

In the case of gel nails, the gel layer applied is significantly thicker than in the case of shellac. The shellac technique, on the other hand, uses a mixture of gel and nail polish. This layer is barely thicker than conventional nail polish.

Nail salons usually recommend shellac for short nails and a more natural look. Gel manicure, on the other hand, is more suitable for longer nails that you want to shine brightly.

While both techniques are popular, both shellac and gel nails are not without harmful substances. These can be dangerous not only for nails but also for overall health.

ARE SHELLAC AND GEL NAILS HARMFUL?

Scientific literature shows that shellac and gel nails are harmful. This is due to the ultraviolet light used, which is used to dry the gel and varnish layer.

Ultraviolet light can severely damage the skin, cause it to age prematurely, and promote the development of skin cancer. The extent to which these consequences actually occur depends on the intensity of the UV lamp in question and the time of exposure to its light.

An American study shows that UV lamps can have different intensities depending on the nail salon. The risk to consumers is difficult to assess. However, the researchers note that people who only get the gel or lacquer manicure at longer intervals don’t have to worry.

Your risk of skin cancer increases if you fix your nails once a week or several times a month and are exposed to ultraviolet light for about 10 minutes each time.

However, dermatologists emphasize that each source of UV can increase the risk of skin cancer. Scientists recommend protecting your hands from UV rays with sunscreen.

HARMFUL TO SKIN AND NAILS

Shellac and gel nails are also harmful to the nails and surrounding cuticles. At the beginning of the manicure, the nails are sanded so that the gel and varnish can penetrate better, this can lead to minor injuries. In the worst case they can develop into a bacterial or fungal infection or inflammation of the nail bed.

A study on the prevalence of fungal infections in natural and artificial nails showed that the use of artificial nails was linked to a higher prevalence of fungal nail infections. Specifically, 47.1% of people who had used artificial nails had fungal nail infections, compared to 30.4% of people who had never used artificial nails.

The study also revealed that the most common type of fungal infection in the nails was onychomycosis, which is characterized by a thickening and discoloration of the nail. Onychomycosis can be difficult to treat and, in some cases, may require removal of the affected nail.

The harsh chemicals present in false nails and gel are also harmful because they dry out the nails, causing them to become much more inelastic and this leads to them becoming brittle.

SHELLAC CAN CAUSE ALLERGIES

Shellac is a type of natural resin that is produced from the secretions of an insect called Laccifer lacca, which is mainly found in India and Thailand. Due to its tough and durable properties, shellac has been used for centuries as a protective coating for furniture, cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals.

However, according to an article published in Actas Dermo-Semibiographical, several recent studies have identified shellac as a problematic allergen that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

The reason shellac can cause allergies is because it contains a protein called aleuritic acid. When aleuritic acid comes into contact with the skin, it can trigger an allergic response in some sensitive people.

If you suspect you’re allergic to shellac, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist to get an accurate diagnosis. If you are confirmed allergic to shellac, the best way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid contact with the allergen.

ACRYLIC NAILS AS AN ALTERNATIVE?

Acrylic nails are less harmful than gel nails in relation to cancer risk. Ultraviolet light is not used with the acrylic method. Instead, the mixture of acrylic powder and liquid will air dry. But methacrylate powder can irritate nails and skin and cause contact allergies. This leads to redness, pimples and itching.

CARE TIPS FOR HEALTHY NAILS

If you do not want to do without shellac or gel nails despite the health risks, you should follow some tips when getting a manicure:

  • Don’t use hairspray or gel nails all the time, give your skin and nails enough time to regenerate. This way you will not only avoid brittle nails, but you will also not expose your skin to ultraviolet light again and again.
  • After a gel, acrylic or shellac manicure, be sure to regularly care for your hands, especially cuticles and nails.
  • Nail polish from certified brands of natural cosmetics is recommended as a healthier alternative to artificial nails.

WHAT REALLY HELPS AGAINST BRITTLE NAILS?

  • Avoid wet work, wear gloves for dishwashing and cleaning, and use detergents and mild cleaning products, preferably with a natural or green certification.
  • Avoid hardening paints and harsh chemicals.
  • Apply hand cream to your fingers and nails every day.
  • Olive oil provides nails with hydration, vitamins and minerals and, in combination with disinfectant tea tree oil, is an excellent home remedy for brittle nails. Mix a teaspoon of olive oil with a few drops of tea tree oil and apply it on your nails for half an hour. Then rinse with a little water
  • Eat a varied and balanced diet and avoid nutrient-poor prepared meals as much as possible.
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