You can use the form to make a note of what happened on days when you have a migraine, such as:

  • Did you feel stressed out?
  • Did you have trouble sleeping?
  • What did you eat or drink?

You can describe the migraine attacks in greater detail, including

  • what time the pain started,
  • how long the attack lasted, and
  • how severe the headache was.

It is also important to record

  • whether you took medication,
  • and – if so – what kind of medication and how much.

Migraine diaries not only help you to find possible migraine triggers. They can also help you to find out more about your migraines – like whether they are chronic. You can see how often the attacks occur – and how frequently you take medication.

Keeping a migraine diary can also be helpful if it's not absolutely clear whether you have migraines or another type of headache – such as cluster headaches.

To get an even better overview, you can also mark the days on your calendar when you had a headache, as well as the days when you took medication, for example. Or you can try a digital diary (app) if you prefer.

IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services.

Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. informedhealth.org can provide support for talks with doctors and other medical professionals, but cannot replace them. We do not offer individual consultations.

Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.

Comment on this page

What would you like to share with us?

We welcome any feedback and ideas - either via our form or by gi-kontakt@iqwig.de. We will review, but not publish, your ratings and comments. Your information will of course be treated confidentially. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields.

Please note that we do not provide individual advice on matters of health. You can read about where to find help and support in Germany in our information “How can I find self-help groups and information centers?

Print page

Über diese Seite

Updated on August 4, 2022

Next planned update: 2025

Publisher:

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Germany)

How we keep you informed

Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter or newsfeed. You can find all of our films online on YouTube.