HeadacheLog - Headache Diary
HeadacheLog is a diary for recording headaches and spotting patterns in them. Each entry can include when it started, how strong the pain was on a 1 to 10 scale, where it hurt, what kind of headache it seemed to be, possible triggers, how long it lasted, any medication you took and whether it helped.
Doctors often ask people with frequent headaches to keep exactly this kind of record, because memory is unreliable once several weeks have passed. A diary makes it much easier to answer questions like "how many days a month?", "what usually sets it off?" and "how often are you taking painkillers?", and to show the answers on screen at an appointment.
You can log a headache in a few seconds with Quick Record while it is happening, then add details later. Over time the app builds a color-coded calendar, statistics by weekday and hour, a trigger ranking and simple automatically detected patterns.
The app runs entirely in your browser. What you enter is saved only on this device.
How to use HeadacheLog
- Read the notice. A short notice appears on your first visit explaining that HeadacheLog is a record-keeping tool, not medical advice. You can reopen it from Settings.
- Quick record. Tap the record button, confirm the date and time, slide the pain level from Mild to Severe and tap Save. This takes only a few seconds when you are not feeling well.
- Add details. Tap Record Details on the quick record screen, or open an existing record and tap Edit, to step through pain strength, pain location (front, temples, eyes, top, back, left, right or whole head), headache type, triggers, medication and notes.
- Note triggers and medication. Select any likely causes such as Sleep Deprivation, Stress, Weather, Food, Exercise, Screen Time, Alcohol, Caffeine or Menstruation. Add a medication name and mark it Effective or Not Effective.
- Check the calendar. The Calendar tab colors each day by pain level. Tap a date to see that day's records and this month's statistics.
- Review statistics. On the Statistics tab, choose 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year or all time to see frequency by weekday and hour, pain distribution and trend, trigger ranking and medication effectiveness.
- Read the patterns. The Pattern Discovery section lists findings such as rising or falling frequency, common times of day and trigger combinations, based only on your own entries.
Features
- Quick Record with date, time and a 1 to 10 pain slider
- Detailed records with pain location, headache type, duration and notes
- Nine common triggers with multiple selection
- Medication name with an Effective / Not Effective mark
- Color-coded calendar with daily record lists and monthly stats
- Statistics by weekday and hour, pain distribution and trend over selectable periods
- Trigger ranking and medication effectiveness rate
- Automatic pattern summaries from your own data
- Records kept in your browser with no account; delete all data from Settings
How to keep a headache diary your doctor can use
Why a diary helps
Headaches are diagnosed mostly from their history: how often they happen, how long they last, what they feel like and what comes with them. A diary turns hazy recollections into concrete numbers. It can also reveal things that are easy to miss, such as headaches that cluster around the weekend, a period, poor sleep or long screen sessions.
Headache specialists commonly suggest keeping a record for at least a couple of months, so that patterns have time to show and one unusual week does not dominate.
What to record each time
The most useful details are the start time, the duration, the pain intensity, where the pain is and what it feels like (pressing, throbbing, stabbing). Note anything that came with it, such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or visual disturbances, in the notes field.
Record medication honestly, including over-the-counter painkillers, with the time taken and whether it worked. This matters because frequently taking pain relief can itself lead to more headaches, often called medication overuse headache. Your doctor needs an accurate count of medication days to judge this.
Common headache types in brief
Tension-type headache is the most common kind: usually a pressing or tight band-like pain on both sides of the head, mild to moderate, without nausea. Migraine attacks are often one-sided and throbbing, moderate to severe, worse with activity, and come with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound; some people have an aura beforehand. Cluster headache is rare but very severe, centered around one eye, and comes in bouts of short attacks.
Choosing a type in the app is only your own impression. Diagnosis should come from a doctor, who may see a different picture from the full history.
Thinking about triggers
Common triggers people report include irregular sleep, stress or the let-down after stress, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, changes in caffeine intake, hormonal changes and weather shifts. Triggers often add up, so a combination such as poor sleep plus a skipped lunch may matter more than either alone.
Rather than trying to avoid everything, use your records to identify the few triggers that appear repeatedly, and discuss them with a professional.
When to get help urgently
Seek emergency care for a sudden, extremely severe headache (often described as the worst ever), a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever and stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking or vision loss. See a doctor soon about headaches that are new after age 50, change in pattern, or keep getting worse.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my records stored?
Only in this browser on this device, with no account. Clearing your browser data deletes them. You can also remove everything with Delete All Data in Settings.
Can I show my records to a doctor?
Yes. Open the calendar or statistics on your phone or laptop during the appointment. The web version does not export files, so bring the device you used.
How are patterns detected?
The app compares simple counts and averages from your entries, such as this month versus last month, or which weekday and trigger appear most. They are summaries, not diagnoses.
Does it remind me to log?
No, reminders are not available in the browser. The iPhone and Android apps can send a daily notification at a time you set.
Can I log a headache that happened yesterday?
Yes. Change the date and time when recording, or edit an existing record later.
What else differs from the phone app?
Recording, calendar, statistics and patterns work the same way. Besides reminders, the main difference is that data is stored in the browser rather than on the phone.
Limitations of the web version
- No reminder notifications on the web
- No export or printing of records
- Data is not synced between devices
- Pattern findings are simple statistics and need enough records to be meaningful
Disclaimer
HeadacheLog is a personal record-keeping tool. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose or treat headaches; detected patterns are simple statistics of your own records. Seek medical care for sudden, severe or unusual headaches, and consult a doctor about treatment and medication.
Phone app
HeadacheLog is also available as an app for phones and tablets: