Headaches in the back of my head when I laugh

[Zy82]

On 12-25-2010 I was with my family and started laughing really hard at something that was said. Suddenly I got a really painful feeling in the back of my head on the left side. I had to stop laughing and go lay down. Since then I have been having these pains when I laugh r get too excited but now it is sometimes on the right side as well. It is really scaring me so if anyone knows anything that may be helpful please let me know.

[angelagreen]

https://nei.nih.gov/health/iih/intracranial

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Laughing headaches are a type of exertional headaches, usually self-limiting in nature. These are a part or synonymous with the cough headaches as a form of exertion or straining being the trigger. Other possible triggers are sneezing, blowing nose, laughing, crying, bending or with a bowel movement. Primary cough headaches are benign and self-limiting but secondary ones are caused by structural problems. Primary headaches could be due to increased intracranial pressure but secondary ones could be due to a skull defect, chiari malformations or a brain tumor etc. MRI or CT brain would be required to discern these. Preventive medications include indomethacin, acetazolamide and spinal tap to reduce the intracranial pressure etc. certain preventive measures that you could take are avoiding cough and treating lung infections if any, stool softeners, avoiding weight lifting and restraining from excessive laughing. Hope this helps. Take care.

[Londres70]

Does it happen often?  How long does it last?