[Harp-L] Head shakes

[charfaron@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Harvey,
             I am somewhat knowledgeable in the field of vitreoretinal disease and I would agree with your good doctor. Tractional forces of the vitreous gel (which is in front of the retina) are accelerated during rapid head movements.  Thus the vitreous pulls on the retina which in turn can produce a retinal tear. Tears cause detachments. This is especially true  in people who have had cataract surgery, in people having a high nearsighted prescription and those with already thinned areas of the retina. FYI symptoms of a detachment are flashing lights, spots (floaters) in our  vision or a curtain or cloud obscuring our vision. These symptoms need to be evaluated ASAP.  Advice from my point of view is that  we should avoid the head shake and use the hand shake or tongue flutter. Going through a detachment surgery is no fun.
            I remember reading  in a medical journal a few years back of a person who went to their doc complaining of spitting up blood. The doc did a million dollar work-up to exclude various causes and could find no pathology.  Finally he asked the patient what he did in his spare time. Turns out the guy played the harp (tongue blocker)  at the local pub and his tongue was being abraded causing the bleeding.  So I guess harp playing can be hazardous to our health.
          Chuck