The short version

  • A headache diary can help a doctor make a diagnosis, help you recognize triggers and warning signs, and show patterns in attacks.
  • It can also help assess whether your medication is working.
  • The Migraine Trust says it is often best to keep it simple and record basic information.

The basics to record

This is the list from The Migraine Trust:

  • Date and day of the week
  • Duration: how long the attack lasted
  • Severity: mild, moderate or severe, or a score from 1 to 10
  • Other symptoms, such as dizziness or sensitivity to light, sound or smells
  • Medication you took, including any second dose
  • Anything else useful: side effects, possible triggers, your period, changes in medication

Count your painkiller days

The NHS says to try not to take painkillers for more than 2 days a week, as this can cause more headaches and make migraine harder to treat. A diary makes that number easy to see.

What a diary can and cannot do

A diary helps you notice patterns. It does not prove that something caused an attack. Treat what you find as something to discuss with your clinician.

From the makers of this guide

Migraine Diary - Headache Log

Our app records attack time, severity, symptoms, possible triggers and medication, then exports them as PDF, CSV or JSON.

View in the App Store Compare 3 options

We make this app, so we are not a neutral source. Free download with optional in-app purchases. Requires iOS 15.1 or later. The comparison shows two other approaches, so you can choose for yourself.

When to get medical help

The NHS says to see a GP if attacks are severe, getting worse or lasting longer than usual, if you have them more than once a week, or if they are hard to control. Ask for urgent advice if an attack has lasted longer than 72 hours or aura lasts longer than 1 hour at a time.

Call emergency services (999 in the UK, 911 in the US) for:

  • a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful
  • problems speaking or remembering things
  • loss of vision, or blurred or double vision
  • drowsiness, confusion or a seizure
  • weakness in the arms or legs on one side, or on one side of the face
  • a recent head injury

This article is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.

Sources