ICE CREAM HEADACHE: It starts with a sharp, stabbing pain in the face or head within seconds of taking that first slurp of the sweet, creamy pleasure called ice cream. An estimated 30 percent of American ice cream eaters suffer from the headaches that some say are like migraines. They can last up to five minutes.
WHAT CAUSES THEM? Extreme cold is known to cause a sudden widening of blood vessels in the brain. Dr. Robert Smith, founder of the Cincinnati Headache Center, contends that ice cream headache occurs only if the cold treat is allowed to rest at the back of the palate, rather than melt in the middle or front of the mouth.
CREDIT THE BRITISH: The British Medical Journal, source of the first two seasonal quotes on this page, suggests learning to avoid ice cream headaches by enjoying `the heavenly stuff’ from `smack dab in the middle of your tongue.’ And being British and good medical advisers at the same time, the authors add that they hope `you’ll eat the low-fat kind–at least more of the time.’
