Headache diary resources:
(Thanks to my Headache Specialist extraordinaire, Professor Paul Rolan for his tips on accurately recording frequency, severity and duration data in headache conditions.)
I've found the "There's an app for that" approach to headache diaries frustrating. Peering into a smartphone with CH attack is not so easy, or very smart of the app designers.
There is also some evidence that staring into smartphones can cause ... headaches...
(Full article in the
Journal of Vision for those interested: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
)
A convenient PDF version of a Headache diary is available below, click on the link below, then simply print out as many copies as you need:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
How to fill it in, from the NPS.
The NPS Headache Diary booklet:
Source:
National Prescribing Service (NPS) MEDICINEWISE.
Quote:How can this booklet help you?
This booklet is designed to help you understand and manage your headaches by recording information about them and any treatments used (medicine and non-medicine options).
Your doctor will want to know the overall pattern of your headaches, how they affect you, the treatments used and what the triggers may be. Doctors and people who experience frequent and persistent headaches have found that keeping a diary for one month can help you and your doctor get more from your consultation.
Use the diary to:
- track the frequency of your headaches, the treatments used and how effective they were for you
- understand your headache experience including symptoms and triggers
- be better prepared to discuss your headache with your health professional.
Types of headache:
Headache is one of the most common reasons for visits to GPs. There are many types of headache, of which tension-type headache is the most common. Other types include migraine and cluster headache.
Headache has many triggers and causes, ranging from lifestyle factors such as sleep deprivation, dehydration and food sensitivities to mental and physical health issues.
Most of the time there is no serious underlying condition. Investigation — such as blood tests or scans — is rarely helpful, even in the case of long-term headache. Your doctor will consider the possible causes and will usually make a diagnosis based on a good understanding of your symptoms, headache history, medical history and an examination.
Describing your headache accurately can help you and your doctor understand the type of headache you have. Headaches can have many different features such as a throbbing sensation, tightness around the head, varying with movement or exertion, and may differ in the location of the pain (one-sided, both sides, or all over), as well as frequency, intensity and duration. Some headaches are accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light or noise.
Always seek medical advice if you have concerns about your headache, especially for pain that is severe, new, or different to pain you have had before, increasing in intensity or frequency, or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Other printable Headache diaries:The best one I've found, with no mucking around, no booklet, simple columns to write in when your head is hurting (or after):
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
A more comprehensive version, but these chew a lot of paper and ink, if you have multiple attacks often:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
As a detailed oral patient history is the only available diagnostic tool (there are no confirmatory tests for CH) these diaries have helped many, many people and their Doctors to home in on exact headache types, for correct, prompt differential diagnosis and treatment.
Been using these resources to help CH patients for years.
Maybe we can make a "Headache Diary" sticky Guiseppi?
Depressing to fill in and see the documented misery stacked in a heap, yes I understand. But Headache Diaries can be one of the most liberating things when working with the right practitioner who uses your collected data to reach a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan. The number of people empowered by having a stack of these under their arm, when confronting dismissive, or doubting Doctors has been immense. It's sometimes, the only evidence they have for their Headache condition.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Ben.
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