Editing Cold-stimulus headache (section)

{{Redirect|Brain freeze||Brain freeze (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Cold-stimulus headache
| synonyms      = Ice-cream headache, brain freeze<ref name="ICE-H">{{cite journal |last1=Kaczorowski |first1=Maya |last2=Kaczorowski |first2=Janusz |date=December 21, 2002 |title=Ice cream evoked headaches (ICE-H) study: randomised trial of accelerated versus cautious ice cream eating regimen |journal=British Medical Journal |doi=10.1136/bmj.325.7378.1445 |pmid=12493658 |volume=325 |issue=7378 |pages=1445–1446 |pmc=139031}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jankelowitz |first1=SK. |last2=Zagami |first2=AS. |date=Dec 2001 |title=Cold-stimulus headache. |journal=Cephalalgia |doi=10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00301.x |pmid=11843876 |volume=21 |issue=10 |page=1002|s2cid=28861589 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
| image         = Girl with Ice Cream - Southend-on-Sea - Essex - England (27713936233).jpg
| caption       = A young girl hastily consuming [[ice cream]], a common cause of cold-stimulus headaches, which are aptly called "brain freezes" or "ice-cream headaches"
| pronounce     = 
| field         = [[Neurology]]
| symptoms      = 
| complications = 
| onset         = 
| duration      = 20 seconds to 2 minutes depending on severity
| types         = 
| causes        = Quick consumption of cold foods and beverages or prolonged oral exposure to cold stimuli
| risks         = 
| diagnosis     = 
| differential  = 
| prevention    = 
| treatment     = Removal of the cold stimulus from the oral cavity and thrusting the tongue towards the tip of the nose or roof of the mouth to relieve pain. Drinking warm water can also ease pain.
| medication    = 
| prognosis     = 
| frequency     = 
| deaths        = 
| alt           = 
}}
A '''cold-stimulus headache''', colloquially known as an '''ice-cream headache''' or '''brain freeze''', is a form of brief pain or [[headache]] commonly associated with consumption (particularly quick consumption) of cold [[drink|beverage]]s or foods such as [[ice cream]], [[ice pop|popsicle]]s, and [[snow cone]]s. It is caused by a cold substance touching the [[palate|roof of the mouth]], and is believed to result from a nerve response causing rapid constriction and swelling of blood vessels,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/question96.htm|title=What causes an ice cream headache?|date=1 April 2000}}</ref> "[[Referred pain|referring]]" pain from the roof of the mouth to the head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ice-cream-headaches/DS00640/DSECTION=causes|title=Ice cream headaches Causes{{dash}}Mayo Clinic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=34149|title=Definition of Ice cream headache|access-date=2009-03-25|archive-date=2014-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041044/http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=34149|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rate of intake for cold foods has been studied as a contributing factor.<ref name="ICE-H" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodsci.uoguelph.ca/dairyedu/icheadache.html|title=The Dairy Education eBook Series{{dash}}Food Science|website=[[University of Guelph]]}}</ref> It can also occur during a sudden exposure of the unprotected head to cold temperatures, such as by diving into cold water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ice cream headaches{{dash}}Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ice-cream-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20373733 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}</ref> A cold-stimulus headache is distinct from [[dentin hypersensitivity]], a type of dental pain that can occur under similar circumstances.

[[Cats]] and other animals have been observed exhibiting a similar reaction when presented with a similar stimulus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.petmd.com/news/cat/do-cats-get-brain-freezes-when-they-eat-cold-treats-34364|title=Do Cats Actually Get 'Brain Freeze' When They Eat Cold Treats?{{dash}}petMD|website=www.petmd.com}}</ref>