Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Numbness And Tingling Of Face After Laughing For A While?
Question: Laughing causes my face to become numb and tingly. When I laugh too much my face, or half of my face because numb and I get a tingly sensation. Sometimes my left eye also begins to twitch when this occurs. I also get pain at this time, in the back of my head right above my neck. As if there is a cluster headache there.
Rarely, my hands also become tingly and numb during this time.
Rarely, my hands also become tingly and numb during this time.
Brief Answer:
Neurological evaluation and imaging necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Laughing attacks are very rare but not unheard of to my knowledge and I have come across case histories of a couple of patients who have had similar problems. It is important that you consult a neurologist and get yourself examined in detail.
It has been noticed that rarely when a person laughs, the pressure inside the head rises and there is a very rare possibility of the cerebellar tonsils to herniate downwards into the cervical spinal canal. The headache, numbness and twitching might be due to this. This is usually a condition since birth but manifests in adults. By this hypothesis your symptoms can be scientifically explained. A MRI scan or brain and cervical region of spinal cord is necessary to rule out such a condition.
It may also be that you do not have this condition but it is important to rule it out clinically with imaging investigations.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Neurological evaluation and imaging necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Laughing attacks are very rare but not unheard of to my knowledge and I have come across case histories of a couple of patients who have had similar problems. It is important that you consult a neurologist and get yourself examined in detail.
It has been noticed that rarely when a person laughs, the pressure inside the head rises and there is a very rare possibility of the cerebellar tonsils to herniate downwards into the cervical spinal canal. The headache, numbness and twitching might be due to this. This is usually a condition since birth but manifests in adults. By this hypothesis your symptoms can be scientifically explained. A MRI scan or brain and cervical region of spinal cord is necessary to rule out such a condition.
It may also be that you do not have this condition but it is important to rule it out clinically with imaging investigations.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
