Hyderabad man faints from laughing too hard. How is it possible?

We’ve all heard laughter is the best medicine, but for one man, a hearty chuckle turned into a trip to the ER. Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist, recently shared a fascinating case on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). His patient, “Mr Shyam” (name changed), experienced a fainting episode triggered by laughter.

While enjoying a cup of tea and a comedy show, Mr Shyam found himself overcome with laughter. Unfortunately, the laughter became so intense that he lost control of his teacup, and then his body went limp. He fell from his chair and briefly lost consciousness. His worried daughter noticed some involuntary movements in his hands.

Thankfully, he received prompt medical attention. Dr Kumar diagnosed his condition as laughter-induced syncope, a rare but real phenomenon.

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

In a conversation with indianexpress.com, Dr Ather Pasha, Consultant-Internal Medicine, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, agreed that fainting due to excessive laughter is extremely rare but it is quite possible, because of the condition.

What is laughter-induced syncope?

It is caused due to a sudden fluctuation in heart rate and drop in blood pressure, which leads to fainting, explained Dr Pasha. It often happens as a reaction to some kind of stressful trigger. This extremely rare condition can be characterised by the loss of consciousness due to excessive laughter.

Vasovagal, cardiac, situational, and neurologic syncope are some types of syncope, which are similar to laughter-induced syncope, he said.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Brief loss of consciousness and temporary fainting are the symptoms of syncope while the signs that may precede syncope include tunnel vision, nausea, rapid heart rate, sweating and the lack of balance while standing, according to Dr Pasha.

Individuals with a family history of sudden death, chest pain, or palpitations may be at higher risk of syncope (Source: Freepik)

Are some people more at risk of it than others?

Research on specific risk factors associated with laughter-induced syncope is limited. However, it is suggested, Dr Pasha said, that individuals with a family history of sudden death, chest pain, or palpitations may be at higher risk of syncope and therefore potentially at a higher risk of laughter-induced syncope. This disorder is treated by prevention and patient awareness of the problem.

Can it be treated or only managed?

There is no specific cure for laughter-induced syncope. However, management strategies focus on avoiding triggers, such as intense laughter, that could lead to syncope episodes. This may involve lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding situations or activities that provoke laughter, particularly if episodes of syncope have occurred in the past.

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