Brain Freeze: The science behind ice cream headaches, what it is, symptoms, treatment, and how to stop it.
Brain freeze is also known as ice cream headaches.It is caused by the rapid consumption of ice cream, ice pops, or very cold drinks.
Brain freeze occurs when a cold substance touches the roof of the mouth.It happens when the weather is hot and the individual consumes something too cold.
Harvard Medical School scientists believe that their findings could eventually pave the way to more effective treatments for various types of headaches, such as migraines-related ones, or pain caused by brain injuries.
The sensation of a brain freeze can be caused by cold stimuli such as ice cream.
Extreme stimuli and proximity to very sensitive nerves cause nerves to react.
According to research in The FASEB Journal, scientists have not been able to fully understand what causes brain freeze.
They found that the sensation of brain freeze is caused by a sudden increase in blood flow through the brain.The brain-freeze pain sensation wore off when the arteries were narrowed.
The scientists were able to get the volunteers to drink warm water.
Reducing the cold stimuli on the palate means avoiding large amounts of cold food or drink at once.
According to Dr. Serrador, people who suffer from migraines are more likely to suffer brain freeze after consuming very cold food or drink.
He suggests that headaches caused by traumatic brain injuries may be similar to what occurs during brain freeze.
Serrador and his team believe that changes in brain blood flow may be causing headaches.If this can be confirmed in further studies, new medications that prevent or reverse the narrowing of the blood vessels may help treat headaches.
If dilated arteries cause a sudden rush of blood to the brain, a drug that dilates the blood vessel should reduce pressure and eliminate the pain.Lowering the blood vessels that supply the brain could help prevent pressure building up dangerously high.