What Causes Sharp Pain In The Back Of The Head While Laughing?

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hello Jatinduggal.84, Thanks you for sending in your query. Headaches in the back after laughing are a very rare occurrence. It has been seen in patients and needs further investigations. At best it can be classified as a triggered headache. The mechanism of short-lasting sharp shooting headache is thought to be due to transient pressure dissociation between intracranial and intraspinal space while the patient is laughing. Differences in pressure between both compartments may cause downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum, which causes stretching of intracranial pain sensitive structures, such as meninges, nerves, and blood vessels. There are certain medications which can reduce the symptoms of laughing headache but this can be prescribed only after complete neurological clinical examination. If necessary, a MRI scan may be asked for you. Hope this answers your query. Please do write in if you have any doubts. Dr.A.Rao Kavoor

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