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Editorials

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

Rapid Response:

Ice Cream Headaches (a.k.a. Brain Freezes)

From what I read about "ice cream headaches" (a.k.a. brain freezes",
are caused by a nerve in ones throat being frozen causing pain to the
nerve there, and it sends a message to the brain to tell your brain such.

I've found (not just in me) that if you apply your hand over your
throat which is the same as applying heat, the pain goes away almost
instantly because the nerve is being warmed up. What do you think of that?

Competing interests:  
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

29 May 2003
Ann M. Hampton
n/a
417-864-5316