Why does my head hurt after smiling?
While the provided reference specifically discusses headaches triggered by laughing, not smiling, it offers insight into a related phenomenon known as triggered headaches, which can occur during or after activities involving facial exertion or changes in cranial pressure.
Based on the reference:
Laughing Headaches: A Type of Triggered Headache
The reference highlights laughing headache as a rare form of triggered headache. This means the headache is specifically brought on by the act of laughing.
Association with Secondary Causes
Importantly, laughing headaches are mostly associated with secondary causes. This means the headache isn't the primary problem itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
One specific condition mentioned in the reference is Arnold-Chiari malformation. This is a structural defect at the base of the skull where the brain and spinal cord meet.
Recommendation for Investigation
Because of the potential link to serious underlying causes like Arnold-Chiari malformation, the reference makes a strong recommendation:
- MRI is recommended for all patients who present with laughing headaches.
- This recommendation also applies to patients with:
- Cough headaches (another type of triggered headache)
- Posterior fossa signs (neurological signs pointing to issues in the lower back part of the brain)
- Younger patients (under the age of fifty) experiencing these types of headaches.
Connecting Laughing Headaches to Smiling
Although the reference focuses on laughing, the principle of triggered headaches suggests that intense facial exertion or changes in pressure during other activities, potentially including forceful or prolonged smiling, could theoretically trigger headaches in some individuals, perhaps through similar mechanisms as laughing headaches. However, the provided information specifically links the phenomenon and the recommendation for MRI to laughing headaches.
If you are experiencing headaches after smiling, especially if they are new, severe, or occur consistently, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional. While the reference focuses on laughing, any headache triggered by physical activity or exertion warrants medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
