Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyMigraineTeam
Powered By

To Fend Off Migraines, Try Keeping a Headache Diary

Posted on November 09, 2018
View reactions

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, July 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A migraine diary may help you pinpoint -- and avoid -- headache triggers, a neurologist says.

About 12 percent of people in the United States suffer from migraines, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.

"A migraine can be debilitating and can impact daily activities, your family and social life. Unfortunately, migraine often goes undiagnosed and undertreated," said Dr. Sait Ashina. He's a neurologist and headache specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

While the exact causes of migraines remain unknown, doctors can help patients identify their triggers.

"Triggers are what can set off the symptoms of a migraine headache, which is different than the mechanisms of the head pain," Ashina explained in a hospital news release. "Triggers are usually individualized -- what could bring on a migraine in one person could not be the case in another person."


Keeping a migraine diary can help uncover headache triggers, Ashina said. Common ones include caffeine; fasting, dieting and dehydration; weather changes; lack of sleep; odors; bright or fluorescent light; and hormonal changes, especially for women.

"Your doctor is going to want to know what you did or ate or how you felt right before a migraine attack," Ashina said. "By tracking these occurrences and any details you remember ahead of time, your doctor will be able to find patterns that will guide an individualized treatment plan."

List each
migraine in the diary, when it happened, how long it lasted and possible triggers.

The American Headache Society offers headache diary resources, as do several mobile apps.

"Your headache diary will be your doctor's best resource for avoiding any of these triggers," Ashina said. "By controlling what you can, you may reduce frequency and severity."


SOURCE: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, news release, June 29, 2018
Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.
Do you know your migraine triggers? Or do you find it hard to keep track?
Share in the comments below or directly on MyMigraineTeam.
Posted on November 09, 2018
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Recent articles

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the fatigue that often accompanies migraine headaches, you’r...

Migraines and Fatigue: 6 Tips To Feel Better

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the fatigue that often accompanies migraine headaches, you’r...
Botox is perhaps the most recognizable brand of a medication called botulinum toxin. As a cosmeti...

Botox for Migraines: What You Need To Know

Botox is perhaps the most recognizable brand of a medication called botulinum toxin. As a cosmeti...
A recent survey of MyMigraineTeam members found that people who were satisfied with their migrain...

MyMigraineTeam Members on Communicating With Health Care Providers

A recent survey of MyMigraineTeam members found that people who were satisfied with their migrain...
Daith and tragus piercings are among the most talked about — and controversial — alternative ther...

Daith and Tragus Piercings for Migraine Pain: 6 Facts You Need To Know

Daith and tragus piercings are among the most talked about — and controversial — alternative ther...
Studies indicate that as many as 62 percent of people with migraine headaches downplay their symp...

Hiding Migraine Symptoms

Studies indicate that as many as 62 percent of people with migraine headaches downplay their symp...
As someone living with migraine headaches, you have likely searched for lifestyle modifications t...

Can Tinted Glasses Help Migraine?

As someone living with migraine headaches, you have likely searched for lifestyle modifications t...
MyMigraineTeam My migraines Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close