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honeyscape

Updated 1y ago

Do POTS Patients Get Brain Freeze?

Okay, this is more of a fun question, but it's fine 😂. I know that brain freeze is caused by changes in the constriction of the blood vessels in your mouth and brain. With POTS your blood vessels don't expand and constrict effectively. Theoretically POTS patients (or other dysautonomia patients) would be less likely to have brain freeze than the average person. I can't recall having brain freeze between now and when my symptoms started. ANYWAY, if any of that made sense, I'd love to know if I'm crazy or not.

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gymdog

2y

😂 fun theoretical. I have had it since diagnosis
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honeyscape

2y

Hmm.... I suppose I'll have to keep collecting data then
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KitKat1450

2y

First of all I love this!!! If you ever have any more of these type of theories that you want to process let me know!! I think what you said, “less likely” is key. The reason I say that is because POTS symptoms can be on a continuum, as in sometimes it flares worse than other times. Also pointing out that the key word is “effectively” so it would be logical to say POTS could cause lower or higher constructing from triggers that would cause abnormal reaction to the stimulation. We have a problem with over/under constricting and dilating in areas that shouldn’t be then it could also go the other way that some patients are more likely to get brain freezes and not get brain freezes versus others with a well regulated nervous system. So my question is does they type of POTS correlate with the outcome? Just looked up some more info so I could have little more logical reply… brain freeze is more likely in ppl with migraines and is caused by quickly dilating blood vessels to increase the temp in the area. It’s also linked to trigeminal nerve sensitivity, which effects the cerebral blood flow velocity (also effected by sympathetic and parasympathetic). CBFv is compromised in 50% POTS patients. (This deep dive is incomplete and have to get back to work now so I apologize for that but hopefully helpful to get more wheels turning and I will get back to looking into this later). From personal experience, I drink a smoothie nearly every day and like it to be more of an icee consistency. Sometimes I notice brain freezes by just a tiny sip and am like wow really that was barely anything and then other days no brain freeze. Also, my blood vessels dilate more than constrict and at times when they shouldn’t be. So for me, that makes more sense why I would get more brain freezes because it’s like my body is just waiting for the smallest stimuli to over react to and dilate, which is quite annoying.
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honeyscape

2y

WOAH! I really wasn't expecting that much effort, thanks! That's absolutely fascinating, and it really makes sense
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lillia

2y

I can literally bite ice cream because of this 💀
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SmileySnail

2y

Wait I haven't had brain freeze in...omg not since my symptoms started. Wow! Omg you're right?!

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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