How to Track Migraine Headaches

There is no known cure for migraine headaches. Tracking what triggers their onset is an alternative or supplementary approach to treatment with prescription medication. Common triggers include stress, caffeine and lack of sleep. Each person who suffers from migraine headaches has individual sensitivities. Track migraine headaches by keeping a diary to figure out your specific triggers. Reduce painful and re-occurring episodes by analyzing your diary for patterns. Share it with your doctor or alternative health practitioner for professional advice.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook
• Pen or Pencil
• Highlighter

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Instructions

How to Track Migraine Headaches

• 1

  Remember how you felt physically before the migraine headache. Write it in your diary as part of the episode record. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "you may have other warning signs in the period before the headaches start (called prodrome), such as a craving for sweets, thirst, sleepiness, or depression." Predict or prevent migraine headaches by learning to recognize physical onset symptoms.

• 2

  Be aware of environmental triggers and keep track of them in your daily diary. The Delaware Biotechnology Institute says "Examples of environmental triggers (for migraine headaches) include odors, bright lights, noise, and other excessive sensory stimuli." Additionally, changes in weather and barometric pressure can incite migraines. Track daily temperatures, humidity levels and high or low pressure systems.

• 3

  Keep track of what you eat to prevent migraine headaches. The most common food triggers are fermented foods, like wine and aged cheese, as well as foods that contain substances that resemble neurotransmitters, like caffeine, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nitrates. Maintain a daily food diary of everything you eat and the time you ate it. Highlight similarities in your diet on the days you have the migraine episodes, but also examine your menu from previous days. Food triggers may be a singular component or a combination of ingredients in one or more foods. To further complicate matters, the food triggers may cause a migraine headache immediately or not produce onset for several days. A certified nutritionist or dietitian can help you analyze your diet for foods that trigger your migraine headaches.

• 4

  Pre-existing conditions and medications must be a part of your daily migraine diary. Migraine headache onset can be triggered when your other health conditions are aggravated. Pain in muscles and joints in the neck and face are a common source of migraine headaches. Keep track of your pre-existing pain by employing a comparative pain scale. Choose a number from 0 (no pain) to 10 (in shock or fainting).