Cold and a headache
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Cold and Headache: Understanding the Connection
Cold Interventions for Migraine Relief
Cold Therapy for Migraine Pain Relief
Cold interventions have been shown to provide immediate relief for migraine symptoms. Various methods such as cold-gel headbands, cold-gel caps, intraoral cooling, skin temperature biofeedback, and cold wraps accompanied by massage have been studied. These interventions significantly reduce migraine pain within 30 minutes of application, as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)1. However, the long-term effects of cold therapy on migraine pain and associated symptoms like nausea are less conclusive and require further research1.
Cold as an Adjunctive Therapy
Cold application, such as using reusable frozen gel packs, has been found effective in reducing headache pain across different types of headaches, including migraines and cluster headaches. In a study, 71% of patients reported an immediate decrease in pain, and 63% noted an overall reduction in pain when using cold packs in conjunction with standard headache medication7. This suggests that cold therapy can be a beneficial adjunctive treatment for headache relief.
Cold Stimulus Headache (CSH)
Characteristics and Triggers
Cold stimulus headache (CSH), often triggered by exposure to cold environments or ingestion of cold substances, is a common but under-researched phenomenon. The severity, frequency, and latency of CSH can vary based on the type of cold stimulus and the size of the exposed area2. For instance, ice water tends to provoke more intense and frequent headaches compared to ice cubes2.
Prevalence and Symptoms
Headache attributed to ingestion or inhalation of a cold stimulus (HICS), commonly known as "ice-cream headache," affects a significant portion of the population. Studies show that the prevalence of HICS is around 51.3% in adults, with no significant difference between genders3. The pain is typically short-lived, lasting less than 30 seconds in most cases, and is often localized to the frontal or temporal regions of the head3 6. Accompanying symptoms such as visual phenomena and trigemino-autonomic symptoms are also reported in a subset of individuals3 6.
Cold Stimulus Headache in Children and Adolescents
In children and adolescents, the prevalence of CSH is higher compared to adults, and it is not gender-specific. There is a notable family history of CSH, and a significant comorbidity with migraine is observed5. The triggers and clinical features of CSH in children are similar to those in adults, although external application of cold stimuli or exposure to low ambient temperatures has not been extensively studied in the pediatric population5.
Common Cold and Headache
Symptoms of the Common Cold
The common cold is characterized by symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and headache8 9. These symptoms are primarily due to the body's immune response to the viral infection, with cytokines playing a significant role in generating these familiar symptoms9.
Headache as a Symptom of Cold
Headaches are a common symptom associated with the common cold, often resulting from nasal congestion and sinus pressure. In school-aged children, headaches are reported in about 15% of cold cases at onset, along with other symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose10. The headache associated with a cold is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter medications and home remedies.
Conclusion
Cold interventions can provide immediate relief for migraine pain, although their long-term efficacy remains uncertain. Cold stimulus headaches are common and can be triggered by various cold exposures, with significant prevalence in both adults and children. Understanding the characteristics and triggers of these headaches can help in managing and preventing them. Additionally, headaches are a frequent symptom of the common cold, often linked to nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Effective management of these headaches involves addressing the underlying cold symptoms.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cold interventions effectively reduce migraine pain in the short term, but their long-term effects on migraine and nausea remain unclear.
Meta-AnalysisCold Stimulus Headache
Cold stimulus headache is a common, unusual headache with severity, frequency, and latency influenced by the speed and size of the exposed area.
Literature ReviewPrevalence and characteristics of headache attributed to ingestion or inhalation of a cold stimulus (HICS): A cross-sectional study
HICS is a common primary headache in adults, with a higher pain intensity in those with tension-type and migraine, but no increased risk from migraine or tension-type headache.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalThe characteristics of head pain in response to an experimental cold stimulus to the palate: An observational study of 414 volunteers
Ice-induced headaches are predominantly frontotemporal, bilateral, and throbbing, affecting migraine sufferers, and the ICHD-II criteria are insufficient for all individuals.
Non-RCT
Large Human TrialCold-Stimulus Headache in Children and Adolescents
Cold-stimulus headache (CSH) is more prevalent in children and adolescents than in adults, with a significant family history and comorbidity with migraines.
Systematic ReviewP 168 Prevalence and characteristics of headache induced by inhalation or ingestion of a cold stimulus (HICS) in a group of adult subjects
HICS is a common phenomenon in healthy adults, with higher pain intensities in those with preexisting primary headaches, and some reported aura and trigeminal autonomic symptoms.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous JournalCold as an adjunctive therapy for headache.
Cold application with a reusable, frozen gel pack provides some symptomatic relief and psychological alleviation of headache pain, with 71% of patients considering it effective and intending to use it in the future.
Non-RCTThe Common Cold
A common cold in children may include symptoms like a tickle in the throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and other issues.
Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza
New knowledge of cytokines helps explain some previously folkloric symptoms of colds and flu, improving our understanding of their mechanisms.
Highly CitedSymptom Profile of Common Colds in School-Aged Children
The common cold in school-aged children is characterized by nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose, with symptoms typically continuing for at least 10 days.
Observational StudyHighly Cited