Woman Suffers Stroke After Cracking Neck While Returning From Walmart

Many of us have habits like cracking knuckles, stretching the neck, etc. But would you believe that such a common habit can become a cause of disaster for someone? For K-Lynn Felthager of the United States, stretching her neck proved costly.

While returning from Walmart, she stretched her neck to the right to relieve work fatigue. Her neck made a 'crack' sound, and she felt an unusually sharp pain. Since the pain did not subside for a few days, she did not go to see a doctor. She relied on simple painkillers.

Five days later, while applying makeup in her kitchen, she suddenly saw a bright flash of light in her right eye. Following this, she lost her vision. Her vision returned after 15 minutes. She considered it a normal incident. But moments later, the right side of her body started tingling, and she gradually became unconscious. When she tried to speak, only indistinct sounds came out instead of clear words. Her husband immediately rushed her to the hospital. A CT scan performed at the hospital showed she had suffered a stroke. Doctors stated that stretching her neck had caused a tear in the carotid artery, leading to a blood clot that reached the brain and caused the stroke. Fortunately, the blood clot dissolved on its own, so surgery was not required.

Felthager has now fully recovered. "My entire perspective on the body has changed," she said. She was shocked to see how even a small habit could lead to serious health risks. According to doctors, the neck is an extremely sensitive organ. Twisting it forcefully, jerking it, or repeatedly stretching it can cause injury to the arteries, blood clotting, and ultimately increase the risk of stroke.

Experts have advised consulting a doctor if there is any kind of pain in the neck. This incident has become a warning about how even simple daily activities can be fatal.