Why do get a headache when you sip a cold drink or eat an ice-cream cone? Scientists still have no answer for that question. It happens when something cold like ice-cream, a slushy drink or other cold foods cross the roof of your mouth. Suddenly you have a sharp stabbing pain in the forehead. It lasts for less than a minute but it is still there and you are much aware of it! Most kids refer to this as a "brain freeze." Youngsters have this often but they don't know enough to call it a headache.
The exact mechanism that triggers an "ice-cream" headache is uncertain. Scientists do know they are caused by the cold liquid flowing across the roof of your mouth and down the back of your throat. If you gulp your cold drink or take a big bite of an ice-cream bar you might have an ice-cream headache. The medical definition is "headache credited to ingestion or inhalation of a cold stimulus." The headache is often gone quicker than you can say that mouthful!
One report suggests the pain happens because the cold drink or food product temporarily stops the blood flow to your brain. The roof of the mouth or the throat sends the signal to the brain through the trigeminal nerve.
If you have frequent headaches or migraines, you may be more prone to having ice-cream headaches. Sometimes an ice-cream headache can cause a migraine. These headaches rarely need treatment because the headache disappears as suddenly as it appears. It usually stops after the cold drink or ice-cream is swallowed.
Do you have to give up those delicious cold drinks, those lovely ice-cream cones, or delicious sundaes? The good news is; no, you don't have to give up those items! Ice-cream headaches can affect everyone from the young to the elderly but you don't have to give up cold stuff.
One course of action would be to slightly warm extremely cold foods. Of course, that isn't possible with ice-cream cones, fruit bars, or sundaes. The course of action is to warm those foods in the front of your mouth before swallowing them. This has a double effect. Not only are you avoiding that ice-cream headache, you are allowing your taste buds to savor the flavor of the cold treat you are having.
Ice-cream headaches are quick and not long lasting. There are no medications to take to avoid them, and taking an over-the-counter medicine is not needed. They will just go away after the food or drink has melted and gone down your throat!
No, you do not have to experience "brain freeze" or that stabbing headache. Nor do you need to give up those favorite cold foods and drinks. Just take a few precautions before you swallow them. If you know they are coming if you drink or eat fast, you will be prepared for that brief stab of pain. This form of headache rarely lasts more than a minute or two.
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