Laughter-induced syncope is rare and likely goes unrecognized by many health care providers. It is thought to be another form of Valsalva-induced syncope.
Reported cases of syncope caused directly by laughter are rare. The common scenario described in a few reports involved episodes of fortuitous laughter, sometimes followed by a short prodrome of lightheadedness, facial flushing, and dizziness, followed by an episode of definite syncope.
Situational syncope, which is a type of NMS, is related to certain physical functions, such as violent coughing (especially in men), laughing, swallowing or urination. Other disorders can cause syncope. It can also be caused by some medicines.
When you laugh, your diaphragm, chest and abdominal muscles tighten. This makes the lungs work harder by forcing stale air out and allowing fresh air deeper into the lungs.
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a condition that's characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. Pseudobulbar affect typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries, which might affect the way the brain controls emotion.
A rise of intracranial pressure due to vigorous laugh could press the tonsils or distal cerebellar portion to herniate down transiently, causing symptoms [6] but maybe back to normal position once the laugh ceases.
If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately: New confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. New numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.
Vasovagal syncope occurs when a vagus nerve to your heart overreacts to certain situations like extreme heat, anxiety, hunger, pain or stress. Blood pressure drops very quickly (orthostatic hypotension), making you feel dizzy or faint.
Syncope (SINK-a-pee) is another word for fainting or passing out. Someone is considered to have syncope if they become unconscious and go limp, then soon recover. For most people, syncope occurs once in a great while, if ever, and is not a sign of serious illness.
Laughter-induced syncope or vagally mediated syncope is a benign disorder. Conservative therapy, including patient education, discontinuation of potentially offending medications, and treatment with beta-blockers, is the preferred initial therapeutic intervention.
Although the act of syncope can be terrifying, it is usually harmless and most likely does not signify a serious disease or a life threatening problem. For most people, syncope occurs once or twice in a lifetime; for others, various medical conditions may lead to numerous fainting spells throughout their life.
Cataplexy is a transient, sudden loss of voluntary muscle control brought on by a strong emotional trigger such as laughing or excitement. Cataplexy is almost always associated with narcolepsy.
“Red flag” symptoms should alert you to a non-vestibular cause: persistent, worsening vertigo or dysequilibrium; atypical “non-peripheral” vertigo, such as vertical movement; severe headache, especially early in the morning; diplopia; cranial nerve palsies; dysarthria, ataxia, or other cerebellar signs; and ...
In most cases, dizziness associated with heart problems is accompanied by other symptoms. These may include shortness of breath, swollen extremities, frequent fatigue or chest pain. In the event heart disease is suspected, you will undergo one or more tests to get to the root of your problem.
Imaging studies of the brain, and sometimes the cervical spine, are common in patients with Dizziness and Vertigo. The purpose of these studies is to identify a structural cause of dizziness such as a stroke, MS, tumor, or any number of a myriad of other disorders of the ear or central nervous system.
(of a person) confused and unable to think clearly because of tiredness, illness, alcohol, or drugs, or (of a situation, plans, etc.) not clear or well explained: Feeling muzzy from the blow on his head, he got up very slowly.
PBA is a neurological impairment and not considered a mental illness.
PBA is a condition that causes uncontrollable crying and/or laughing that happens suddenly and frequently. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain neurologic conditions. A person having a crying episode may cry when they don't feel sad or when they only feel a little bit sad.
Researchers do not fully understand why patients with Angelman syndrome are so prone to laughing. They had suggested that laughter may be related to seizures (gelastic seizures). However, no evidence supports this idea.