Five Year Old Boy Treated For 'Laugh Headaches'
Science/Medical/Technology
Tuesday 23rd, August 2022
A five year old boy is being treated in Mayo, Ireland for headaches which occur when he laughs.
The boy first presented at Mayo University Hospital's outpatient department "with a one-year history of headaches associated with laughter".
The July/August edition of the Irish Medical Journal (IMJ) had a paper where they outlined their belief that it is the first ever published paediatric case report of laughter as a precipitating factor for headaches.
The authors stated that "laugh headaches" have been documented as a presenting feature for adults with a known condition, Chiari malformation. This is where part of the skull is misshapen or smaller than usual, pressing on the brain forcing it downward.
In the case that was seen in Mayo University Hospital, the five year old, "experiences sudden onset generalised headaches of variable severity, associated predominantly with laughing and once with shouting".
It's also been said that in the case of the five year old that the headaches, "have not occurred with coughing, sneezing, straining or bending over".
The paper goes on to further state, "the pain is described as a tightening sensation around his entire head which may be associated with pallor, nausea, gagging or generalised weakness".
The paper entitled, Chiari Malformation Presenting as Headaches Associated with Laughter, states "his reaction to the pain is to grasp his head with both hands and sit or lie on the floor. The pain lasts for several seconds, then subsides with a return to good form afterwards".
Further more the "headaches have not interfered with schooling or hobbies including soccer and GAA".
The boy’s headaches "had reduced in frequency although were increasing in severity" at the time of review.
The boy first presented at Mayo University Hospital's outpatient department "with a one-year history of headaches associated with laughter".
The July/August edition of the Irish Medical Journal (IMJ) had a paper where they outlined their belief that it is the first ever published paediatric case report of laughter as a precipitating factor for headaches.
The authors stated that "laugh headaches" have been documented as a presenting feature for adults with a known condition, Chiari malformation. This is where part of the skull is misshapen or smaller than usual, pressing on the brain forcing it downward.
In the case that was seen in Mayo University Hospital, the five year old, "experiences sudden onset generalised headaches of variable severity, associated predominantly with laughing and once with shouting".
It's also been said that in the case of the five year old that the headaches, "have not occurred with coughing, sneezing, straining or bending over".
The paper goes on to further state, "the pain is described as a tightening sensation around his entire head which may be associated with pallor, nausea, gagging or generalised weakness".
The paper entitled, Chiari Malformation Presenting as Headaches Associated with Laughter, states "his reaction to the pain is to grasp his head with both hands and sit or lie on the floor. The pain lasts for several seconds, then subsides with a return to good form afterwards".
Further more the "headaches have not interfered with schooling or hobbies including soccer and GAA".
The boy’s headaches "had reduced in frequency although were increasing in severity" at the time of review.
