Ice cream headache
BMJ 1997; 314 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.314.7091.1364 (Published 10 May 1997) Cite this as: BMJ 1997;314:1364
All rapid responses
Like most people, I used to experience those painful "ice cream
headaches" from time-to-time, but a few years ago I was startled by a new
phenomenon: ice cream BACKACHE. The intensity and type of pain was the
same, but it hit me in the area of the thoracic spine, between the
shoulder blades, more or less. Ever since that first "ice cream-back
attack", this has been the ONLY site of "ice cream headaches" for me. No
head pain anymore, just the intense spinal pain. I've never heard of
anyone else experiencing this, nor do I understand it.
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All of these cures for brain freeze are really interesting. The
quickest way I've found yet is to put my head down lower than my heart. If
I feel just the slightest twinge of a headache I do this and it takes care
of it immediately. Of course, you may get some odd looks at Baskin-
Robbins. Just tell them you lost your contact lens on the floor. :)
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If you get a "BRAIN FREEZE" frequently after eating then I suggest
that you should get a pinch of salt as soon as you feel the headache
coming on and then put the salt into your mouth and swallow.
As a surgeon I would recommend for you to go and see your local docter to
have a cat scan it will not cost you anything if you claim it on the
"NHS"
I hope that you will use my method.
DR.C.Chovinninski
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I had been told many years ago from eating home made ice cream which
always seemed much colder than the ice cream that you get from the store.
If I ate the home made to fast I would get a head ache very quickly. The
reason I was given is that the stomach sensing the extreme cold, blood
would be diverted from the head to warm the stomach causing the head to be
depleted of the blood supply, therefore causing the head ache.
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You can also (as least is works for me and others that I have told)
stop the 'ice cream' headache by placing a 'cold' object on the inner
wrist and hold it there. You will see (again my experience as well as
others) the the headache stops really fast.
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I want to point out that not only cold food and beverages in the
mouth cause the "ice cream headache." I have been an avid whitewater
kayaker paddling summer and winter here in West Virginia. We keep warm in
the winter with insulated dry suits and even "pogies"--gloves that fit
over both the hand and the paddle at the grip area. But the face is still
exposed and a tip-over and roll up in ice cold water is sufficient to
induce a brief ice cream headache. Perhaps the physiological response is
somehow related to the mammalian diving reflex.
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In response to your findings that you could ONLY illicit this
response in summer versus winter conditions. I disagree with this. If
one has ever had a frozen margarita or daquiri in a restaurant or bar (a
controlled "temperature wise" environment)...they will notice a "brain
freeze" can occur. I believe it has nothing to do with one's external
temperature. I agree with the vasodilation theory but it is independent
of external factors.
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I thought you might want to add this to the "ice cream headache"
answer. If you get an ice cream headache and want to get rid of it
quickly press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. It speeds up the
process!! Trust me because it worked for me!!!!!!!
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How to kill the brain freeze
The simplest way (I've heard pinch of salt, ice there...) to
solve a "Mister Misty Headache" is to place the pad of your
thumb on the roof of your mouth. The whole problenm here is
the cold. Your thumb is nice and warm (unless you other
problems!) and warms up your palate within a few seconds -
headache gone, with no need to find something you may not
already have (I don't generally carry salt, or an ice cube
to put on my wrist, but my thumb is usually with me).
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