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laughing makes me faint
Sounds weird, but often when I laugh I can feel myself losing consciousness, and have to stop myself from laughing before I black out. It's almost as if there's sudden rush of blood to my head. My blood pressure is in normal range. I've put on quite a bit of weight recently and wonder if that has something to do with it. I also get ringing in my ears all the time - have had that for years. Getting a bit worried about the laughing thing though. Any thoughts?
I too have had 3-4 episodes of laugh syncope over the last year. I have never had these episodes prior. Over the last 3 1/2 - 6 years I have had many surgeries and I too have been told by 3 different cardiologist my heart is fine, my BP is normal. Even had a cath done if some of you know what that is. I too am overweight by about 50 lbs. I am diabetic but that is since I have gained the weight.
My first episode everything just went all gray and then I was ok. The worst episode occured in February 2012. My mother and I were driving getting on a on ramp IN LAS VEGAS we were searching for a location and we were joking around about loosing our way around and I started laughing, well luckily I felt it coming on and stopped laughing so I didn't pass out. My mother does not drive so the entire situation could have ended badly. This scared me something aweful as we had recently lost my father just the week before from CHF (Congestive Heart Failure).
I have been to neurologist before just told I have white matter 12 + areas and not to worry, been to the cardiologist and again told don't worry.
back in 2006 I had a spinal tap done and in 2009 I had a injection in my spine for surgery I had then. I wonder if the CSF if possible. Then again I have a bad neck. I often have pain in my carotid artery on my right side. Not sure if any of these things are connected but I thank you all for your input as it helps me to know I am not alone with this condition.
I too am currently unemployed and uninsured. I guess state aid will be my next step if this persist.
Good luck to you all in your quest for a diagnosis.
Addagrl
My first episode everything just went all gray and then I was ok. The worst episode occured in February 2012. My mother and I were driving getting on a on ramp IN LAS VEGAS we were searching for a location and we were joking around about loosing our way around and I started laughing, well luckily I felt it coming on and stopped laughing so I didn't pass out. My mother does not drive so the entire situation could have ended badly. This scared me something aweful as we had recently lost my father just the week before from CHF (Congestive Heart Failure).
I have been to neurologist before just told I have white matter 12 + areas and not to worry, been to the cardiologist and again told don't worry.
back in 2006 I had a spinal tap done and in 2009 I had a injection in my spine for surgery I had then. I wonder if the CSF if possible. Then again I have a bad neck. I often have pain in my carotid artery on my right side. Not sure if any of these things are connected but I thank you all for your input as it helps me to know I am not alone with this condition.
I too am currently unemployed and uninsured. I guess state aid will be my next step if this persist.
Good luck to you all in your quest for a diagnosis.
Addagrl
I'll add myself to the list. 59, male, only about 15 pounds overweight, normal BP. Fainted once while laughing, fell backwards and broke the sink cabinet door. When describing it to friends, thought of original laugh stimulus, laughed and it happened again. 2 months ago, choked on water at that same kitchen sink, passed out for milliseconds, fell back onto kitchen island and compression fractured a vertebra. Highly inconvenient. At present am very careful to control laughter if I hear something funny on car radio. Occasionally see stars pushing on a bowel movement. I kind of like the other-wordly feeling, but don't relish the loss of control and falling. Like tinnitis, which I've had since the 70s (Rock and Roll!) there's probably not much that can be done, other than to be aware and catch yourself in time to think of something unfunny, or pull onto the shoulder. Best of luck to all and I'll check back for any suggestions.
Am glad to have found this site. Thanks to all for sharing. After reading all these comments I, too, researched about laugh syncope, and at least have a basic understanding of what it is. In my case it's about my husband, and to add his situation to this compilation seems appropriate:
57 years old; some exercise, including adult soccer league, but not every day; no high blood pressure; on meds for high cholesterol; moderately obese (That does seem to be a common factor!); fairly healthy otherwise; never drinks or smokes (tho, for the poster who asked about it, does drink a few cups of very bold coffee each day).
Has only the condition of fainting while laughing heartily. Happened for the first time two years ago when laughing very hard and fell out of a kitchen chair to the floor and was unconscious for about 10 seconds, then was fine, tho subdued.
No other incidents until this week when he fainted while in a recliner from laughing too hard at an episode of Big Bang Theory. (There is a recorded case of laugh syncope from watching Seinfeld!) Didn't fall and also awoke in about 10 seconds. Felt ok. Two days later, again watching that dangerously funny show, his loud laughter faded and his head drooped and he muttered a few syllables, then got quiet. When I asked if he had fainted, he said, Almost. I witnessed the above three episodes, but then today I did not see him, but he reported he was walking in the kitchen while laughing at something and felt light-headed, but didn't faint, though almost.
As you all know, very disconcerting!
I want to add my observation that I think he laughs inwardly too much (don't know quite how to explain it). He scrunches up and keeps his chin down; I'd like him to try laughing more out loud, with his mouth open wide. Of course, don't know if that would help, but I wish he'd try, especially since what I read indicated that stopping the cause of syncope is a valid solution. I know that's akin to the insensitive, bad joke advice of Don't laugh, but in lieu of other solutions, trying to laugh a little less hard or differently seems worth a shot. One source also suggested tightening one's arm and/or leg muscles if one has time when feeling the faintness coming on, presumably to increase blood pressure and get more blood to the brain fast.
I will also get him to talk to our doctor to check for any possible heart problems, etc. I was encouraged when I read that "Brief periods of unconsciousness do no harm and are seldom symptoms of disease. The main danger of fainting fits or vasovagal syncope (or dizzy spells from vertigo) is the risk of injury by falling while unconscious." Or, as some have noted, from driving.
Of course, possible medical problems as the cause need to be followed up, but, unfortunately, it was also noted that doctors have a great deal of difficulty determining causes in many cases. Weird how few are documented cases (five!?!) when we have more examples even here!
Best wishes to each of you as you seek solutions for your health.
57 years old; some exercise, including adult soccer league, but not every day; no high blood pressure; on meds for high cholesterol; moderately obese (That does seem to be a common factor!); fairly healthy otherwise; never drinks or smokes (tho, for the poster who asked about it, does drink a few cups of very bold coffee each day).
Has only the condition of fainting while laughing heartily. Happened for the first time two years ago when laughing very hard and fell out of a kitchen chair to the floor and was unconscious for about 10 seconds, then was fine, tho subdued.
No other incidents until this week when he fainted while in a recliner from laughing too hard at an episode of Big Bang Theory. (There is a recorded case of laugh syncope from watching Seinfeld!) Didn't fall and also awoke in about 10 seconds. Felt ok. Two days later, again watching that dangerously funny show, his loud laughter faded and his head drooped and he muttered a few syllables, then got quiet. When I asked if he had fainted, he said, Almost. I witnessed the above three episodes, but then today I did not see him, but he reported he was walking in the kitchen while laughing at something and felt light-headed, but didn't faint, though almost.
As you all know, very disconcerting!
I want to add my observation that I think he laughs inwardly too much (don't know quite how to explain it). He scrunches up and keeps his chin down; I'd like him to try laughing more out loud, with his mouth open wide. Of course, don't know if that would help, but I wish he'd try, especially since what I read indicated that stopping the cause of syncope is a valid solution. I know that's akin to the insensitive, bad joke advice of Don't laugh, but in lieu of other solutions, trying to laugh a little less hard or differently seems worth a shot. One source also suggested tightening one's arm and/or leg muscles if one has time when feeling the faintness coming on, presumably to increase blood pressure and get more blood to the brain fast.
I will also get him to talk to our doctor to check for any possible heart problems, etc. I was encouraged when I read that "Brief periods of unconsciousness do no harm and are seldom symptoms of disease. The main danger of fainting fits or vasovagal syncope (or dizzy spells from vertigo) is the risk of injury by falling while unconscious." Or, as some have noted, from driving.
Of course, possible medical problems as the cause need to be followed up, but, unfortunately, it was also noted that doctors have a great deal of difficulty determining causes in many cases. Weird how few are documented cases (five!?!) when we have more examples even here!
Best wishes to each of you as you seek solutions for your health.
I have fainted 4 times in my life while laughing, I have stopped myself many times also.
I just wanted to say thanks to the people who have posted, I too thought it was just a quirk of mine, I will be popping along to the GP now and get some tests done.
I just wanted to say thanks to the people who have posted, I too thought it was just a quirk of mine, I will be popping along to the GP now and get some tests done.
I am 51 & 13 years ago sufferd 2 big strokes,which have left me paralyzed down my left side,I started this same thing after having my strokes & hate it,I decided to ask the doctor to be referred to a specialist for tests.iv had a camera down my throat, which showed I had a Sliding Haertus Hernia,I was then sent to the Cardiolagy where i was given a Heart Monitor to wear for 24 hours,this was to record my Heart rate and to see what happend to my heart rate when passing out with laughter,after this, I had a Tilt Table Test,I had to stand in a standing posistuion for 40 minutes and my Heart rate and Blood Preasure was monitored, I did pass out on this test,Cardology have now diognosed me with Laughter Syncope. I feel there is know treatment for this, so since my two strokes, I carnt Drink,Smoke and now carnt Laugh:( FED UP!,hope you have better luck then me,Jean
I was hit in the back by a forklift 11 years ago in Sept. When I took my ex to the Veteran's hospital I was waiting in the ER room and they had this poster on the wall about the signs of a spinal cord injury. One of them was chest pains. This scared me because my chest hurt all that day and night after the accident. I haven't been able to get any 'specialist' to think this was significant, so I dismissed it. Then I started having chest pains and was put in the hospital overnight and my dr ordered an angiogram. My heart was deemed to be good. Then a few years later I again had chest pains that went into my left arm, up my neck on the left side, and I decided to go in the ER again when I realized it was my carotid artery. I was kept overnight again and set up for a stress test and again deemed to be just fine. Now, I'm sure you are wondering if it's my back. I am too, but the reason for this posting is because, as of a few days ago, I now am feeling faint when laughing and my chest feels 'tight' as well. I check my blood pressure all the time, and have always been in the normal range (120/80 most of my life). I just don't know what to think. I don't have any insurance and am unemployed, and I just don't know where to turn since I've been told my heart isn't the problem. I'm mostly concerned it's my spinal cord and will wake up paralyzed one day.
Anyway, just wanted to add my problems to the list.
Anyway, just wanted to add my problems to the list.
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