How to keep a headache diary

You don't have to take our word for it. The NHS migraine page says it can help to keep a migraine diary. UK headache charities The Migraine Trust and the National Migraine Centre both explain how to keep one.

What to record for each headache

• Date and time it started, and when it ended. The day of the week is useful too.
• Severity. Use a simple scale, like 0 to 10, and stick to it.
• Where the pain was. One side, both sides, forehead, temples, back of the head.
• Other symptoms. For example nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or aura.
• Medication taken and the dose, with the time. Note a second dose too.
• Possible triggers you noticed. Write down what you think might be related. You don't need to be sure.
• Sleep. Roughly how long and how well you slept the night before.
• Food and drink. Skipped meals, or anything unusual.
• Menstrual cycle, if it's relevant to you. Note when your period starts.
• Impact on your day. Did you miss work or school, or have to lie down?

Tips that make it easier

• Write it down as close to the time as you can. Memory gets fuzzy fast.
• Keep it simple. The Migraine Trust suggests recording basic information. A short entry you keep up beats a long one you give up on.
• Mark the days without a headache too, so you can see how often they happen.
• Use the same scale and the same words each time.

What the NHS says about a headache diary

The NHS doesn't publish its own diary form on its headache or migraine pages. It recommends keeping one and points to The Migraine Trust for what to record:

• The NHS headaches page says keeping a headache diary might help you work out what triggers your headaches.
• The NHS migraine page says it can help to keep a migraine diary.
• Both pages say to see a GP if you regularly get headaches, or if your migraine attacks happen more than once a week, are severe, or are getting worse.

Looking for a "headache diary NHS PDF"? If your GP or clinic has given you a form, use that. Otherwise, The Migraine Trust and the National Migraine Centre both offer templates, and we made a free printable headache diary template with the same columns.

Want to go further on possible triggers? Read how to track migraine triggers.

Bring it to your doctor

Take the diary to your appointment, or send it ahead if your clinic asks. A clear record of how often headaches happen, how bad they are and how much medication you take gives your doctor something solid to talk through with you. Let them decide what it means.

Using Easing as your headache diary

Easing records the start and end of each episode, pain level, where it hurts, symptoms, aura, medication, possible triggers and a note. If you allow it, it reads sleep and cycle data from Apple Health. When you're ready, make a PDF of your history to share. See the headache diary app page for more.

Questions