Q. I have suffered for years from almost daily headaches, some of them migraines. I used to go through a bottle of Excedrin a month.
About four years ago I drank an iced cappuccino by coincidence while I had a headache. The headache immediately went away.
Ever since, almost daily, when my headache starts I either make or buy and drink an iced cappuccino. I put a tray of ice cubes made from coffee in the blender and cover them with refrigerated liquid coffee and 2 ounces of coffee creamer. I blend this mixture two minutes and it works 99 percent of the time.
I haven’t had to take Excedrin for a headache in years. Why does the iced cappuccino work?
A. There is scientific evidence that consuming a cold drink quickly constricts blood vessels in the roof of the mouth. This can cause “brain freeze” or an ice-cream headache. Many readers report that drinking an icy beverage or eating ice cream can stop a migraine, particularly if they do so as soon as they detect the beginnings of a headache.
Those who do not find this helpful will find other useful remedies in our Guide to Headaches and Migraines. Other approaches include supplements such as riboflavin, magnesium and Coenzyme Q10. Melatonin may help for cluster headaches.
Beware Caffeine Withdrawal:
One word of caution about your regular caffeine intake. Some people are exquisitely sensitive to caffeine withdrawal. Part of your problem may be triggered by your regular caffeine intake. Your body may have become so used to its morning cappuccino ritual that you get a headache because your brain craves caffeine. One way to test this hypothesis would be to drink de-caffeinated iced cappuccino to see if it works as well as the caffeinated coffee.
You will find lots more information about treatments for headaches and migraines in our various books (Best Choices & Quick & Handy Home Remedies). Here is a link to our holiday bundles.
