Keeping a diary for headaches

A study of patient-collected headache information complements the history of the disease. Keeping a diary that reflects the nature of headaches is an excellent and accessible way for the patient to collect information about headaches and methods for treating them.

By asking patients to record the intensity and frequency of headaches several times a day, you can get important information about the duration of headaches and the variations in their intensity. A sample diary is shown in the figure.

To establish the correct diagnosis and assign the most effective treatment to all patients with newly diagnosed headaches, a diary should be kept for 1-2 months. Diaries can be useful in case of changes in the nature of headaches and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.