Aa
Study--shows more red-heads have MS
I'm interested in what everyone thinks about this:
New studies indicate a significant increase in some diseases among women with red hair. One study found that multiple sclerosis may be more common in red-headed women, but similar association was not found for men with red hair. Woman with red hair are also more likely to have endometriosis compared to infertile women of other hair colors, have a higher incidence of melanoma and have more complications after surgery. Red heads require more medicine to be anesthetized and have a lower pain tolerance for thermal type of pain.
I found this interesting as I have managed to have had endometriosis that resulted in an early hysterectomy (32) and complications from one surgery (infection). I have also required much more sedation when undergoing procedures. It will be interesting to see what the future holds. Here are a couple of links:
Read more at Suite101: Red Hair - What Medical Research Says about It: Hair Color May Affect Your Pain Tolerance and Cancer Risk http://healthcare-
research.suite101.com/article.cfm/red_hair_what_medical_research_says_about_it#ixzz0qYLP8SnS
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/71/8/583
http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/kim-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms/red-hair-and-ms/
Any red-heads here with MS?
New studies indicate a significant increase in some diseases among women with red hair. One study found that multiple sclerosis may be more common in red-headed women, but similar association was not found for men with red hair. Woman with red hair are also more likely to have endometriosis compared to infertile women of other hair colors, have a higher incidence of melanoma and have more complications after surgery. Red heads require more medicine to be anesthetized and have a lower pain tolerance for thermal type of pain.
I found this interesting as I have managed to have had endometriosis that resulted in an early hysterectomy (32) and complications from one surgery (infection). I have also required much more sedation when undergoing procedures. It will be interesting to see what the future holds. Here are a couple of links:
Read more at Suite101: Red Hair - What Medical Research Says about It: Hair Color May Affect Your Pain Tolerance and Cancer Risk http://healthcare-
research.suite101.com/article.cfm/red_hair_what_medical_research_says_about_it#ixzz0qYLP8SnS
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/71/8/583
http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/kim-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms/red-hair-and-ms/
Any red-heads here with MS?
I've been thinking about this - especially after seeing the fair haired people around me looking at little off at time lately. Interesting your point about less tolerance to thermal.
My theory is that we are more impacted by everyday electrical sources - or rather their by-product dirty electricity, possible EMFs from towers, cell phones, microwaves etc. because of our fair skin.
I guess I basically get red face when I sit too close to my computer monitor on too bright a setting, etc. I can literally feel a burning sensation from some monitors when too large.
So we don't have the protection from the harm of this things like others have - the same way we are more likely to get burned from the sun.
If you can find it, there are references to Lyme doctors not treating patients until they clean their environments of these sources of dirty electricity, etc.
I think MS, diabetes, RA can all have electrical exposures as causal factors and seems like there is a lot of symptom overlap or combos out there - like a little MS and RA at once.
That is my theory that I've been wondering about.
Also, MS is more common in northern latitudes.
Definitely vit D matters - but in northern latitudes we have more dark days of winter and electricity use also.
My theory is that we are more impacted by everyday electrical sources - or rather their by-product dirty electricity, possible EMFs from towers, cell phones, microwaves etc. because of our fair skin.
I guess I basically get red face when I sit too close to my computer monitor on too bright a setting, etc. I can literally feel a burning sensation from some monitors when too large.
So we don't have the protection from the harm of this things like others have - the same way we are more likely to get burned from the sun.
If you can find it, there are references to Lyme doctors not treating patients until they clean their environments of these sources of dirty electricity, etc.
I think MS, diabetes, RA can all have electrical exposures as causal factors and seems like there is a lot of symptom overlap or combos out there - like a little MS and RA at once.
That is my theory that I've been wondering about.
Also, MS is more common in northern latitudes.
Definitely vit D matters - but in northern latitudes we have more dark days of winter and electricity use also.
I am not sure about the science behind it, but I am a 32 year old natural redhead who was diagnosed with MS three years ago. I agree that it is likely due in part to the geographic location in which most redheads originated from (ireland,Denmark, Wales, etc.) Which are all relatively far from the equator thus receiving less Sun ( vitamin D) In addition, there is an obvious familial/genetic component as my brunette haired 55 year old uncle has MS as well...intersting, regardless!! -Megan
You know I have heard about the 'copper' thing thoughout my life and wondered if it had any merit. I will have to look that one up:-)
I told my hubby about the red hair thing and he says it's because "there is too much copper up there"! (refering to the poor drainage we supposedly have for our brains) ha ha I was born with red hair and my birth mother had red hair but I don't know if there is a history of MS in her family or my birth fathers families.
I do need more anaesthesia with a lot of trouble afterward, I have a high tolerance for pain...I married to a Newfie and had a partial hysterectomy at 36, no endo.
I do need more anaesthesia with a lot of trouble afterward, I have a high tolerance for pain...I married to a Newfie and had a partial hysterectomy at 36, no endo.
Thank you, Ren, for explaining that. I had never heard of it before.
Hear, hear to our fellow mutants! That was was pretty good!
Addi
Addi, RedFlame and others,
RedFlame is correct that the blood patch is a technique used to stop a spinal headache after a LP. They use your own blood to "patch" the hole where the needle is letting spinal fluid leak causing the headache.
For another mutant touch, my ob-gyn told me once that my body did not read the anatomy book as nothing ever goes as expected with me.
Ren
RedFlame is correct that the blood patch is a technique used to stop a spinal headache after a LP. They use your own blood to "patch" the hole where the needle is letting spinal fluid leak causing the headache.
For another mutant touch, my ob-gyn told me once that my body did not read the anatomy book as nothing ever goes as expected with me.
Ren
I am a true red-head, now kept that way with hair dye. I do need more anesthesia and do have alot of trouble WITH anesthesia afterwards.
I think I have a high tolerance to pain as I recently had my hand operated on with a local anesthetic and could feel them cutting into my skin. They finally did a nerve block to the hand.
No endo., but had a hysterectomy at age 27 due to fibroids. Ovaries left.
Have never heard of red-heads being more prone to MS, although I do have MS and my daughter has MS. She is a brown/blonde/red head.
I think I have a high tolerance to pain as I recently had my hand operated on with a local anesthetic and could feel them cutting into my skin. They finally did a nerve block to the hand.
No endo., but had a hysterectomy at age 27 due to fibroids. Ovaries left.
Have never heard of red-heads being more prone to MS, although I do have MS and my daughter has MS. She is a brown/blonde/red head.
She is a good girl. I truly couldn't ask for better. I love her so much. I do think that her way of dealing with what is going on with mom is through laughter. But, it is usally aimed at me! lol She loves to scare me...popping out of nowhere and then grabbing me so that I don't fall. It really doesn't bother me...though I do think it would if it were anyone else!
She is 14 years old and is what keeps me going. My baby! And, while she pokes fun at/with me all the time, if I need help with anything, she is right there.
Now, my grown boys were a different story! They gave me all of my gray hair and a run for my money. And, I always heard girls were always harder to raise through their teen years...
Addi
I'm new to all of this as well but I think it's from a leak of fluid after an LP. I'm not sure why its called a blood patch though.
I'm sure your daughter will take the mutant thing a long ways for a long time!
I'm sure your daughter will take the mutant thing a long ways for a long time!
lol!! Well, that sure explains everything for me! I am a mutant, too! Shhh....don't let my daughter hear you say that! She would have a ball with that one!
What is the blood patch for?
Addi
I think that was a blood patch that rendean had after an LP. I'm not sure about any other blood test. Redhair is a mutation on a specific gene though. Figures huh---a mutation! Mutant redheads
What is this subsequent blood test that I see posted about?
Thanks for the chuckle regarding red headed tempers! I loved it.
Addi
Thanks for the chuckle regarding red headed tempers! I loved it.
Addi
Exactly, if people would just stop teasing us about our red-hair equaling a hot temper. Keep teasing me and I will just get really mad!! :-)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think this could be another leap, though i am a 'true' red head lol. I'm not sure what the connection is with MS, it seems logical that Vit D levels would be lower overall in redheads due to geography, sun avoidance, skin type etc. But if that was the link it doesn't explain why everyone with low Vit D levels dont end up with MS.
Skin cancer has more to do with skin type and amount of UV exposure, than the colour of your hair, its expected that olive skin types would have less skin cancer's than fair and your more likely to have dark brown or black hair if you've got olive skin and more likely to have red or blond if you've got fair skin.
All the red heads in my family (funny they are all female and all different colour reds) have high pain tollerance, all heavy periods but no endometreotes (sp) and no one has skin cancer, though i cant say the same of the darker haired family members.
I'm not convinced but its interesting none the less.
Cheers.....JJ
Skin cancer has more to do with skin type and amount of UV exposure, than the colour of your hair, its expected that olive skin types would have less skin cancer's than fair and your more likely to have dark brown or black hair if you've got olive skin and more likely to have red or blond if you've got fair skin.
All the red heads in my family (funny they are all female and all different colour reds) have high pain tollerance, all heavy periods but no endometreotes (sp) and no one has skin cancer, though i cant say the same of the darker haired family members.
I'm not convinced but its interesting none the less.
Cheers.....JJ
Sorry to hear about your cancer mj111169.
Skin cancer was actually the other thing mentioned, our skin just doesn't have the melatonin or something. Keep an eye on your skin!
Skin cancer was actually the other thing mentioned, our skin just doesn't have the melatonin or something. Keep an eye on your skin!
I am also a red head! Very fair, as a matter of fact I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from my face. Fun times!
I am not diagnosed as of yet, but it is an interesting thought!
I am not diagnosed as of yet, but it is an interesting thought!
Strawberry blonde as a child, auburn as I got older. Blue eyes, of northern European heritage. I think that is the real link. I too got teased in school because of my very white skin. It seems that it would stand to reason that if you have an Irish, Scottish or any other northern european background you are already at a higher risk of developing MS. My great grandmother was from Ireland.
I don't need much anesthesia or narcotic pain relief - I have a pretty high tolerance. No endometriosis either.
Interesting theory, though!
I don't need much anesthesia or narcotic pain relief - I have a pretty high tolerance. No endometriosis either.
Interesting theory, though!
Not a red head here. I always heard blue eyed people were more likely to get MS. I do have blue eyes. I doubt that any of this really holds true.
LA
LA
I was teased cause of my white skin! lol
I have always been an outdoorsy person. Absolutely loved the sun. It is not really my friend anymore though.
Addi
I have always been an outdoorsy person. Absolutely loved the sun. It is not really my friend anymore though.
Addi
It will be interesting to see if the study is significant or not.
Many redheads don't go out in the sun, perhaps it's a lack of Vitamin D?
I am proud to be a red-head too. I was teased in school---but now people dye their hair to be red:-)
I am a redhead! Whoop! Whoop! lol Granted, I do have to color my hair so the gray doesn't outweigh the red, but I am a natural one.
I do remain in limbo at this time. I do require much more sedation than normal...doctors and dentists have always commented to me about that. My pain tolerance is extremely low, too. I have no other issues than my neuro stuff.
Interesting info though.
Addi -- proud to be a redhead! lol
I do remain in limbo at this time. I do require much more sedation than normal...doctors and dentists have always commented to me about that. My pain tolerance is extremely low, too. I have no other issues than my neuro stuff.
Interesting info though.
Addi -- proud to be a redhead! lol
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I'm a redhead with a high pain tolerance and DO require more anesthesia as noted by the redheaded pain mangement doc who did my LP. His partner (brunette) did not use an adequate amount on the subsequent blood patch. My dentist is amazed at the about of novacaine it takes to numb my mouth.
I have read some articles pertaining to this in the past. In essence, the gene carrying hair color also carries pain receptors info or something of that nature as well as melanin. I have not read the links provided with this post however.
I have blue eyes of Northern European descent (English and Scottish). Grew up in South FL. Have been dx with endometriosis and surgery complications (infection and non-healing wound).
As for pain tolerance, 2 of my deliveries were natural WITH Pitocin drips to augment labor so pain isn't an issue unless you get me started on MS induced neuropathy in my legs which NOTHING seems to touch.
And, of course, hair color DOES NOT play a role in temperments. Red heads do not anger any easier than anyone else...especially if everyone would stop expecting us to get angry and then we wouldn't want to disappoint those of you with such high expectations of us :-).
Ren