Headaches

The Headache Diary

Keeping track of your headaches could be enlightening for both you and for your doctor. It can help pinpoint the cause or causes. Keep a record by starting a headache diary in which you jot down as much information as possible about the things that could possibly have triggered your next six headaches.

In recording information, remember the five W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why. You can add a How to the list, too.

Who: Who were you with before the headache started? Someone who irritated you or made you angry? Someone who hurt your feelings?

What: What medications did you take to treat the headache? What other medications were you taking at the time? What symptoms did you experience?

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?

When: When did the headache start? When did it stop? When was the first day of your menstrual cycle?

Why: Why would your headache start? Some particular food or drink? (Check the lists above for foods which can cause a headache.) Did you get more sleep than usual or not enough? Did you forget to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Did your headache start after some physical activity?

How: How did the pain feel? Was it throbbing, on one side of the head? Was it bandlike, stretching across the temples? How did you cope? Did you have to miss work or lie down to rest?

With your headache diary, you are on your way to coming to grips with your problem.

Next: Getting Control

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