HEADACHE DIARY

HELP YOUR DOCTOR BY KEEPING A HEADACHE DIARY

By keeping a headache diary, you are providing your physician with more accurate information to help them properly diagnose the types of headaches you are experiencing as well as possible causes for these headaches. An accurate 3 or 4 month history of your headaches will make a big difference in accurate diagnosis.

HEADACHE DIARY DETAILS

Time Headache Began / Ended

This is self explanatory. Always record the duration of the headache, including the time of start and finish. Consistent start times (ie. right after breakfast) can be a big factor in tracing down headache causes.

Menstrual Cycle

A womans menstrual cycle can be a trigger for headaches. When is the first day of your menstrual cycle?

Warning Signs (aura)

Are there certain symptoms that consistently signal the eventual onset of a headache? These symptoms preceding a headache are termed as an "aura"; common auras include sensitivity to light and/or sound, blurred vision, sleepiness and ringing in the ears.

Location of Pain

Is the headache located in the forehead, around the eyes, in the back of the head, near the temples, behind the eyeball, or all over? Is the pain only on one side of the head (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral)?

Description of Headache Pain

Describe the headache pain. Is it throbbing, stabbing, pulsating, piercing, dull or burning. Is there pressure or a band-like sensation associated with the headache? Are you sinuses stuffed up when you are experiencing the headache? How intense is the headache pain; use 1 as the lowest intesity and 10 as the most pain you've ever experienced in a headache.

Other Symptoms During Headache

Are you experiencing other symptoms while having the headache? Some examples may be nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, ringing in the ears, lack of concentration, vomiting, swelling around the eyes, red eyes (in one or both?) etc.

Medication Taken for the Headache

If you took medication when the headache occurred, what medication did you take and how much of it. Was the medication taken during a meal or not?

Effect of Medication

If you took medication for the headache, did it help? If so, how long after taking the medication was the effect noticeable?

Duration of Sleep the Preceding Night

On the night before the headache occurred, how many hours of uninterrupted sleep did you get?

What I Ate Before the Headache

List all of the food and drinks you ingested within 4 hours before the start of your headache. This especially includes caffeine, hot dogs, chinese food, diet soda, highly processed foods and food/drink with artificial sweeteners.

What I Did and Where I Was Before the Headache Started

What activities did you perform before this headache? Where: Where were you right before the headache started? At work under glaring lights or in the presence of loud noises or fumes? At home resting after a stressful day?

Important / Stressful Events

Who were you with before the headache started? Someone who irritated you or made you angry? Someone who hurt your feelings? Were you dealing with a particularly stressful set of events during that time?

Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. © All rights reserved, In.Genu Design Group Inc.

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