Anyone who suffers from headaches on a regular basis, such as every week or month instead of only occasionally, should keep a headache diary. Not all headaches are the same.
By noting down your symptoms, how long the headache lasted and what you were doing at the time your headache started, you can often find patterns and/or “triggers” that might indicate why the headache occurred.
Once you know your patterns or triggers, you can take action to avoid headaches.
The Benefits of Having a Headache Diary
Migraines in particular are known to have triggers, such as certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, lack of sleep, jet lag, and hormonal fluctuations. Not every headache is a migraine, of course.
But if you do have migraines, then preventing them, shortening the time they last, and pain relief during the time they last, are essential if you want to avoid your migraines having a severely negative impact on your life.
If you think you might be having migraines, get a small notebook to write down information about each headache you have. Or print out one of the blank headache diaries online to carry around with you. Alternatively you can use an online tracker or try a smartphone tracker app.
Collect your data for at least a week or two. Then make an appointment with your regular doctor to discuss your findings. They should be able to determine if you have been experiencing migraines and if so, what might be triggering them.
Once your doctor has reviewed your diary and given you a thorough exam, s/he should be able to recommend prevention strategies and a treatment plan based on your own patterns and triggers. They might also refer you to a specialist if you can’t get your migraines under control.
What to Include in Your Headache Diary
So, what should you include in your headache diary?
Here is a suggested format for you to try, to see if it makes a difference to your headaches and overall health.
Your Headache Diary
Date and time the headache started (approximately) _______
Where I was when the symptoms first started _______
What I was doing when the symptoms first started _______
Foods, drinks or medicines I consumed before starting. If I did not prepare them myself, where did I get them? E.g. Chinese takeaway on 92nd Street ________
Was it an ordinary headache, or a migraine? ________
Location of the headache/migraine pain – check off all that apply:
Forehead (the area directly above my eyes, to my hairline)
Right
Left
Entire forehead
Temples (the area to the sides of my forehead, near the corner of my eyes, to my hairline)
Right
Left
Both
Eyes/around the eyes
Right
Left
Both
The crown of my head (from my forehead to the back of the head where my skull starts to curve downwards)
Right
Left
Center
All
Back of my head (from where my skull starts to curve downwards, to the neck, down to the shoulder area)
Right
Left
Center
All
Base of skull (the area where the skull starts to curve in to join with the neck)
Right
Left
Center
All
Jaw
Right
Left
Center
All
Other areas that hurt-list:
1-
2-
3-
The level of pain I experienced, on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 the lowest and 10 the highest ________
What level of disability (that is, not being able to work/do my usual daily activities) did I experience, on a scale from 1 to 10 _______
In each place above where I listed that I experienced pain, the pain was – check off each word below that applies:
Pounding
Throbbing
Aching
Stabbing
Pulsing
Other – describe _______
Other symptoms
I had trouble with my vision:
Yes
Explain: _______
I felt sensitive to light:
Yes
Explain: _______
I had trouble with my other senses
Yes
Explain: _______
I felt sensitive to noises around me:
Yes
Explain: _______
Other symptoms
I felt nauseous
Yes
I was so nauseous I vomited
Yes
I vomited _ times in total, about _ minutes apart
(example)
I vomited 3 times, about 3 hours apart
I vomited all day for 12 hours
What I did to try to relieve the pain:
1 –
2 –
These actions worked best to relieve the pain:
List them:
1-
2-
How long this migraine lasted in total number of hours (approximately) _______
What I suspect might have triggered this migraine:
Food, weather, monthly cycle, pressure at work, etc. _______
Keep your headache diary, share it with your doctor, and you should be on the road to a better life without the agony of migraines.
Natural Headache Relief
H-Headaches Formula is FDA registered and manufactured to the strictest good manufacturing practice (GMP). The product is used to treat the symptoms associated with headaches such as throbbing on the head and over the eyes and pain at the back of the head.
H-Headaches Formula is safe and effective, using established homeopathic ingredients and is applied topically. This is a revolutionary symptomatic headache treatment formula and also contains pure natural essential oils.
How It Works
The botanicals in H-Headaches Formula provide a natural analgesic effect while the homeopathics work systemically to relieve symptoms such as throbbing head and pain over the eyes. Tension headaches are often accompanied by throbbing and constriction around the forehead. This product is highly effective in treating these headache symptoms and providing fast relief.
Learn more about H-Headaches Formula now.
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