Hyderabad man becomes unconscious while laughing too hard, expert explains what causes it

Laughter is the best medicine but what if it becomes the opposite? Something like this happened with a person from Hyderabad, who fainted due to laughing too hard. But why did it happen?

Rare condition that causes unconsciousness while laughing

This rare incident was brought to light by Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, on X. The doctor shared the incident followed by an explanation regarding it. The post mentioned that a rare condition called Laughter-induced syncope causes a person to faint while laughing too hard.

Laughter is the best medicine, however, in case of a 53-year-old, laughter resulted in a visit to emergency department

53-year-old Mr Shyam (name changed) was enjoying a nice evening with his family over a cup of tea. They were watching a popular comedy show on TV. Mr Shyam… pic.twitter.com/TZJAM45QpC

— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) May 29, 2024

What causes Laughter-induced syncope?

Speaking with The Indian Express, Hyderabad based Consultant-Internal Medicine, Dr. Ather Pasha said that this is caused due to a condition called Laughter-induced syncope. This is a rare condition, which occurs when there is a sudden fluctuation in heart rate and blood pressure drops, causing unconsciousness.

What is Laughter-induced syncope?

Laughter-induced syncope is a rare medical condition where a person faints due to intense laughter. Syncope, commonly known as fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness typically caused by a drop in blood pressure, which reduces blood flow to the brain.

Symptoms:

The primary symptom is a sudden loss of consciousness, which is usually brief. Other associated symptoms may include:

Lightheadedness or dizziness
Nausea
Sweating
Pale skin

Diagnosis:

Patient History: Reviewing the patient's medical history and the circumstances surrounding the episodes of syncope.

Physical Examination: Conducting a physical exam to rule out other potential causes of syncope.

Diagnostic Tests: These may include an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or tilt-table test to evaluate heart function and blood pressure response.

Treatment:

Treatment usually focuses on preventing future episodes:

Avoidance: Advising the patient to avoid situations that may provoke intense laughter.

Behavioral Techniques: Teaching the patient techniques to control laughter and avoid hyperventilation.

Medication: In some cases, medications may be prescribed to manage underlying conditions that could contribute to syncope.

Disclaimer: editorji does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this story are for informational purposes only. No material in this video is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

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