Cold-stimulus headache
Cold-stimulus headache (also known as ice cream headache, brain freeze, or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia) is a form of brief, severe headache commonly associated with rapid consumption of cold beverages or foods.
Pronunciation
- Cold-stimulus headache: /koʊld ˈstɪmjʊləs ˈhedeɪk/
- Ice cream headache: /aɪs kriːm ˈhedeɪk/
- Brain freeze: /breɪn friːz/
- Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia: /sfɪˌnoʊpəˈlaɪtɪn ˌɡæŋɡliːoʊˌnjʊərˈældʒiːə/
Etymology
The term "cold-stimulus headache" is derived from the fact that the headache is triggered by the rapid cooling and rewarming of the capillaries in the sinuses and the back of the throat, which is caused by the consumption of cold substances.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of a cold-stimulus headache is a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain that begins a few seconds after the rapid ingestion of cold substances and lasts for a few minutes. The pain is usually located in the mid-frontal area of the head, but can also be felt in the temples or behind the eyes.
Causes
Cold-stimulus headaches are caused by the rapid cooling and rewarming of the blood vessels in the palate and the back of the throat. This rapid temperature change causes the blood vessels to constrict and then rapidly dilate, which triggers the pain of the headache.
Related Terms
- Migraine: A type of headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Cluster headache: A type of headache characterized by severe, piercing pain on one side of the head, often around the eye.
- Tension headache: A type of headache characterized by a dull, aching sensation all over the head, often described as a feeling of a tight band around the head.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cold-stimulus headache
- Wikipedia's article - Cold-stimulus headache
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