Headache Diary

A healthcare provider may recommend keeping a headache diary to help determine possible headache triggers. A headache diary will also help you document how often you get headaches, how severe they occur, and the possible relationship to outside factors. Each time you have a headache, be sure to write down the time, the place, and what you were doing when the headache started. This tool will allow your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option for you.

 

An Overview of Keeping a Headache Diary

For people with frequent headaches or who have been diagnosed with migraines, the healthcare provider many recommend keeping a headache diary. A headache diary is one way to help understand possible headache triggers. This is a tool that allows you to clearly capture, in a standardized way, how often you get headaches, how severe they are, and the possible relationship to physical, emotional, or environmental factors.
 
Each time you have a headache, write down the time of day, the point in your menstrual cycle (for women), where you are at the time, and what you were doing when the headache started. Besides helping you understand possible triggers, a headache diary will also help your healthcare provider better understand your headaches. This will also allow headache treatment options to be tailored to your particular situation.
 

Sample Headache Diary

The following is a sample headache diary that you can use to track your headaches.
 
 
Date
During Menses? (Yes/No)
Time Began
(a.m/p.m.)
Severity
(Score)*
Psychological and
Physical FactorsA
Chemical Exposure B
Describe Location/
Type of Pain
Medication Taken, Dosage
Time Ended
(a.m./p.m.)
Relief
(Score)**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Severity Scale *
Relief Scale **
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
None
Mild
Can't work
Worst, can't do anything
Getting worse
Same, unchanged
Better
Totally better
A. Psychological and Physical Factors
 
B. Chemical Exposure
 
 
1 – Emotional upset (family or friends)
2 – Emotional upset (occupational)
3 – Business failure
4 – Business success
5 – Vacation days
6 – Weekend
7 – Strenuous exercise
8 – Strenuous labor
9 – High-altitude location (flight)
10 – Anticipation anxiety
11 – Serious crisis
12 – Postcrisis period
 
 
13 – New job/position
14 – Moved/housing change
15 – Menstrual days
16 – Physical illness
17 – Oversleeping
18 – Weather
19 – Fasting
20 – Missing a meal
21 – Lack of sleep
22 – Studying
23 – Television/VCR >2 hours
24 – Other:___________________
 
 
A – Ripened cheeses (or pizza)
B – Herring
C – Chocolate
D – Red vinegar
E – Fermented foods (pickled or marinated, sour cream, yogurt)
F – Freshly baked yeast breads, cakes
G – Nuts, peanut butter
H – Monosodium glutamate (Asian food)
I – Pods or broad beans
J – Onions
K – Canned figs
 
 
L – Citrus fruits
M – Bananas
N – Pork
O – Caffeinated beverages (including sodas)
P – Avocado
Q – Smoked or cured sausage, cured cold cuts
R – Chicken livers
S – Wine
T – Alcohol
U – Beer
V – Drugs (specify):_________________
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD