Brief overview
- Description: sudden, stabbing headache, usually in the forehead or temples, occurring after rapid consumption of cold food or drink. Therefore also called cold headache.
- Cause: The cold stimulus in the mouth (especially on the palate) dilates the anterior cerebral artery, causing more blood to rush into the brain. The associated sudden increase in pressure triggers the short-lived headache.
- What to do. No treatment needed because the cold headache goes away on its own after a short time.
- Prevention: Enjoy cold foods and drinks slowly and preheat them slightly before contact with the palate in the oral cavity.
How does brain freeze occur?
Scientists have determined the cause of brain freeze. In a study, a team led by neurologist Jorge Serrador observed that the anterior cerebral artery dilates when very cold substances enter the mouth and especially the palate.
A Canadian study came to another important conclusion: test subjects were asked to eat 100 milliliters of ice cream. The test group had five seconds to do this, while the control group was allowed considerably more time.
As a result, about 30 percent of the test subjects in the test group experienced cold headaches, while only about 17 percent of the control group experienced brain freeze. Thus, the cold headache occurs predominantly when cold food is consumed quickly.
What is brain freeze?
Brain freeze is one of the primary headaches. These are headaches that have no identifiable cause, but represent an independent clinical picture (such as migraine, tension headaches) – in contrast to secondary headaches, which are based on another disease (e.g. headaches caused by flu or a traumatic brain injury).
What to do in case of brain freeze?
Since cerebral frost disappears by itself after a few seconds, special therapy – for example, with painkillers – is not necessary.
Tips for prevention
To prevent brain freeze from occurring in the first place, it is advisable to enjoy cold foods slowly. In addition, cold foods and drinks should not be brought into contact with the palate until they have been preheated a little in the mouth. These simple tips are a good way to avoid brain freeze.
