Danish Migraine Association's diary – a help to self help

You may get a migraine diary at the local pharmacy or via the internet.

All the diaries are made in order to help the migraineur to see patterns in the migraine attacks, when the attacks arrive and whether there is a connection to ’something in the environment'.

If it is possible to identify what triggers the attacks, it may also be possible to avid some of them. Your doctor may also appreciate the diary – it assist him or her in seeing if there are patterns, which may make it easier to find the best treatment. Many neurologists require a diary for a period before they make any decisions about which treatment they will recommend.

The diary on this site is particularly made in order to identify the connection between those every day events that have been documented as migraine triggers for groups of migraineurs. The most often reported triggers of migraine with or without aura are the following:

• Fast changes in the estrogen levels in the blood (only women)
• Food items
• Tyramine (a biogenic amine)
• Phenylethylamine (a biogenic amine)
• Histamine (a biogenic amine)
• Mono sodium glutamate
• Artificial sweeteners
• Blocked nose/scents
• Irritations from strong or flickering lights or sounds

Stress and weather changes have also been reported as triggers.

It is often the case that one individual gets migraine from more than one trigger. Having more than one trigger makes it more difficult to identify the patterns.

The diary must be completed every day - too many details disappear from memory if you try to remember several days at a time. If you have any comments we would like to hear from you so we can improve the diary (e-post info@migraeniker.dk).

Get a printable diary