Brain Freeze

Have you ever wondered what triggers an ice cream headache?

Sometimes when you eat something cold, especially ice cream, it touches the top of your mouth and initiates a nerve reaction that swells blood vessels in your head. This causes a headache that usually resolves within a minute.

To avoid “brain freeze,” the University of Dalhousie in Canada suggests you try eating frozen goodies slowly, giving the roof of your mouth time to warm up between bites.

Provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: June 18, 2011
Last revised: by Sebastian Scheller, MD, ScD