Summary about Disease
Brain freeze, also known as an ice cream headache or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, is a brief headache or pain in the head brought on by rapidly consuming cold food or drinks, especially on a hot day. It’s generally harmless and self-limiting.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the forehead or temples. It usually appears quickly, within seconds of the cold stimulus touching the roof of the mouth, and fades away just as rapidly.
Causes
Brain freeze is thought to be caused by a rapid change in temperature in the blood vessels of the sinuses. Cold stimulus on the palate triggers a sudden constriction of blood vessels followed by dilation. This sudden change in blood flow is believed to be interpreted by the brain as pain.
Medicine Used
Typically, no medicine is needed for brain freeze. The pain resolves on its own very quickly. In rare cases of prolonged discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen could be considered, but are rarely necessary.
Is Communicable
Brain freeze is not communicable. It is a physiological response to a stimulus, not an infectious disease.
Precautions
Consume cold foods and drinks slowly.
Avoid letting cold substances touch the roof of your mouth directly.
Warm the roof of your mouth with your tongue or warm liquid.
How long does an outbreak last?
An "outbreak" is not applicable to brain freeze, as it is not an infectious disease. The pain from brain freeze typically lasts only a few seconds to a few minutes.
How is it diagnosed?
Brain freeze is not formally diagnosed. It is recognized based on the self-reported symptoms of a sudden, brief headache following consumption of cold food or drink.
Timeline of Symptoms
0-10 seconds: Exposure to cold stimulus (e.g., ice cream touching the roof of the mouth).
10-30 seconds: Rapid onset of sharp, stabbing pain in the forehead or temples.
30 seconds - 5 minutes: Gradual fading of the pain. Pain typically subsides completely within minutes.
Important Considerations
Brain freeze is generally harmless.
While uncomfortable, it is not indicative of any underlying medical condition.
Individuals prone to migraines may be more susceptible to brain freeze.