Migraine
Often throbbing, sometimes on one side, with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Movement may worsen it. Headache commonly lasts 4 to 72 hours; the full attack can include other phases.
NHS migraine overview ↗Symptoms / Resource hubMigraine
Migraine
Understand. Record. Prepare.
A headache diary you can keep on a difficult day.
AI-created editorial illustrationStart here
Make symptoms part of the conversation
Head pain is only part of the history your clinician may ask about. Associated symptoms, how often headaches happen, and the effect on ordinary activities all help describe your experience. The American Migraine Foundation’s patient guide below explains how to prepare your goals and medical history for an appointment.
A migraine record connects the attack itself with its effect on your day. A start time and pain score can be useful, but so can a note that you could not read, drive, work, or tolerate a screen. You can keep a headache diary before you know what type of headache you have; the diary is a record to discuss, not a diagnosis.
This collection is designed for short entries during a difficult day and a more organized summary afterward. Start with the guide if you are deciding what to record. Use the log for individual events, the printable sheet for paper, and the appointment notes tool to pull out the questions you want answered.
The migraine reading room
Browse every topic ↗Practical guides for this topic.
Detailed examples, record-keeping questions, and sources you can check. New published guides for this app appear here automatically.
Migraine · 3 min read
What to note about possible migraine aura
Describe possible aura symptoms and their timing for a clinician without assuming every new visual or sensory change is migraine.
Migraine · 3 min read
A migraine trigger diary: look for patterns without assuming a cause
Use comparison days, a short timeline and uncertainty notes to discuss possible migraine triggers without turning every coincidence into a restriction.
Migraine · 5 min read
A migraine diary you can keep on a bad day
Start with a few useful details, leave uncertain times approximate, and make a short summary for your next appointment.
Choose what you need today.
01
Browser log
Record individual entries, export CSV, or choose local saving.
Open log ↗02Printable sheet
Download a one-page A4 or US Letter PDF, or print a blank sheet from your browser.
Open sheet ↗03Appointment notes
Prepare your concerns and questions for a healthcare visit. Download a PDF with your notes in your own words.
Prepare notes ↓04Headache description tool
Guided questions about symptoms and possible triggers, plus a comparison of common headache patterns.
Explore patterns ↓Find the words for your headache.
Answer about one episode to create a description you can copy into your diary or appointment notes. Compare the educational examples below; the tool does not match you to a diagnosis, identify a cause, or rule out serious illness.
Your description
Your answers describe an experience. A clinician may consider several causes; there is no diagnostic score.
Common headache patterns: an educational comparison
These are examples of features clinicians ask about. They overlap, are not exhaustive, and do not cover all causes of headache. Read all three rather than choosing a diagnosis from a single symptom.
Tension-type headache
Often pressure or tightening on both sides. Usual activities generally do not make it worse. It may last at least 30 minutes and sometimes much longer.
NHS tension headache overview ↗Cluster headache
Very severe pain around one eye, sometimes with a watery or red eye, blocked or runny nose, and restlessness. Attacks often last 15 minutes to 3 hours and can recur in bouts. Similar symptoms need assessment.
NHS cluster headache overview ↗Sources checked 20 September 2026. This is an educational description aid, not a validated symptom checker. Prepare appointment notes or open the migraine diary.
Free preparation tool
Appointment notes: migraine.
Put your main concern, relevant changes, and questions in one place before a visit. Your words stay in this page until you download them or leave. Nothing is sent, interpreted, or saved automatically.
Preparing questions and a symptom or medicine history is suggested in NHS appointment guidance. This tool formats your notes; it has not been clinically validated.
Read before sharing
Keep original measurements and reports alongside this summary. Downloading does not send it to a clinician.
The companion app
Migraine Tracker+
Log headaches, personal context, and medicines, with PDF reports for appointments.
Features listed by the developer
- Custom symptoms, treatments, and suspected triggers
- Pain ratings and personal notes
- Charts and PDF reports
Website or app?
The website gives you free guides, browser logs, and printable PDFs. You can also prepare appointment notes. Choose the app if its listed features fit the way you want to keep a longer record.
The website and app do not automatically synchronize. Check current in-app purchases, subscriptions, device support, and the app's own privacy details before downloading.
Published by Arda Sen. Feature descriptions checked against the App Store listing on 2026-09-20. Listing claims are not independent evidence of health benefits.
References for this resource hub
- American Migraine Foundation: talking to your doctor about migraine (PDF) ↗
A headache diary and treatment history can help prepare for a clinical visit.
- University Hospitals Sussex: when to seek medical help for headaches ↗
Sudden extremely painful headaches and concerning associated symptoms require urgent assessment.
Educational content published by HealthLogKit with AI-assisted research and source checks. Not medical peer review. Read our editorial process.