Ice pick headaches are called that way because of the fact that they make it seem like your head is being brutally stabbed with an ice pick. Needless to say, such type of headache can bring about sharp and shooting pain, which tends to last anywhere from as short as 5 seconds to as long as 30 seconds.
Showing up suddenly out of nowhere, the startling and definitely painful sensations brought about by ice pick headaches can be usually experienced in the temples and around the eyes. Sometimes it can also strike the back of the head. It’s possible for ice pick headaches to cause a single stab only or a series of stabs.
Episodes may happen only once a day or several times per day. Ice pick headaches may occur during the day or at night, which can definitely rouse you from sleep due to the stabbing sensations they bring. Unlike other types of headache, however, ice pick headaches are not known to cause other symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Medical professionals say that ice pick headaches are quite rare. In fact, they say that only 1 to 2 percent of people all over the planet experience it. Men and women alike can suffer from ice pick headaches, although studies have shown that they’re more common in adults between 45 and 50 years of age.
Nobody really knows what causes ice pick headaches to happen. However, experts say that it may be associated with cluster headache and/or migraine history. They believe that stress, bright lights and sudden movements may cause them to show up. Inflammation of the nerve in the head may also be the one to blame, they add.
Dealing with ice pick headaches can be a real challenge because they’re usually long gone before individuals bugged by them could spring into action. While the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) works for most, popping them in the mouth regularly is a bad idea due to the side effects and risks.
Here are some of the things that may help in keeping ice pick headaches from pestering you:
Enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Definitely, sleep deprivation is something that can bring about a number of problems, and ice pick headaches are just some of them. Make sure that you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night if you are prone to having ice pick headaches to minimize their occurrence.
Have your regular dose of exercise.
We all know that exercising on a regular basis offers so many health perks. Make sure that you work out daily, if possible, to promote proper blood circulation to the brain, thus keeping ice pick headache occurrences at bay. Stick to mild to moderate exercises for best results.
Keep stress to a minimum.
It can be difficult to lead a stress-free life these days. Luckily, there are a number of ways to deal with stress, which is something that can make ice pick headaches and other types of headaches strike. Yoga, massages, journal writing, music listening are just a few examples of superb stress relievers.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Keeping the body well-hydrated can help in the prevention of those startling ice pick headaches. Aside from water, you may also enjoy herbal teas. Chamomile, jasmine, lavender and lemon balm teas can work wonders because they help you relax, thus keeping at bay ice pick headaches.
Eat foods that contain magnesium.
Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can cause all sorts of headaches. So in order to prevent ice pick headaches from striking, it’s a good idea to include magnesium-rich foods in the diet. Some wonderful examples are spinach, bananas, potatoes, nuts, seeds and seafood.
