Ice Cream Headaches - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

THGL · 07-09-2004, 08:06 AM

Someone please tell me why we get these and how? Yesterday, after mowing the lawn, I was chugging down some ice-cold lemonade and BAM! one hit me like a ton of bricks!

TIA

ShaniFaye · 07-09-2004, 08:10 AM

One of many google results

Quote:

Here's a summary: When something cold touches the roof of your mouth on a hot day, it triggers a cold headache. The cause is a dilation of blood vessels in the head. The dilation may be caused by a nerve center located above the roof of your mouth - when this nerve center gets cold, it seems to over-react and tries to heat your brain. Therefore, the easy way to avoid brain freeze would be to keep cold things away from the roof of your mouth!"

Redlemon · 07-09-2004, 08:10 AM

You have chilled your hard palatte. Rub your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm it back up.

yatzr · 07-09-2004, 03:43 PM

I don't ever get them. Neither do my brothers, so it must be something genetic. Needless to say, we're pretty good at ice cream eating contests

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Sapper · 07-09-2004, 03:56 PM

I have read some literature which suggests that the tissue around the optic nerve has been cooled to an abnormal temperature and results in the ice cream headache. Try pressing lightly on your eyes next time you have the headache and I can almost guarantee that the pain will subside.

MSD · 07-09-2004, 11:41 PM

The other end of the nerve in the roof of your mouth is behind your forehead, right near the optic nerve. When the temperature difference is too great, blood vessels start to dilate in order to circulate blood and equalize the temperature. The pain alerts you that this is happening. It's a good way for your body to make sure that your core temperature (your mouth is a good reflection of this) isn't dropping too much without you knowing it.

07-09-2004, 08:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
THGL Psycho Location: Louisville, KY	Ice Cream Headaches Someone please tell me why we get these and how? Yesterday, after mowing the lawn, I was chugging down some ice-cold lemonade and BAM! one hit me like a ton of bricks! TIA

07-09-2004, 08:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	You have chilled your hard palatte. Rub your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm it back up. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-09-2004, 03:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
yatzr Insane	I don't ever get them. Neither do my brothers, so it must be something genetic. Needless to say, we're pretty good at ice cream eating contests . __________________ Mechanical Engineers build weapons. Civil Engineers build targets.

07-09-2004, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sapper Insane Location: The Internet	I have read some literature which suggests that the tissue around the optic nerve has been cooled to an abnormal temperature and results in the ice cream headache. Try pressing lightly on your eyes next time you have the headache and I can almost guarantee that the pain will subside. __________________ rm -f /bin/laden

07-09-2004, 11:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	The other end of the nerve in the roof of your mouth is behind your forehead, right near the optic nerve. When the temperature difference is too great, blood vessels start to dilate in order to circulate blood and equalize the temperature. The pain alerts you that this is happening. It's a good way for your body to make sure that your core temperature (your mouth is a good reflection of this) isn't dropping too much without you knowing it.