Personal Headache Diary
This simple diary can help you to identify any patterns in the headaches you suffer to enable you or a healthcare professional to manage
Help Find a Cure
your headaches more effectively. For additional copies visit the Headache Australia website www.headacheaustralia.org.au Understanding
The mission of Headache Australia is
SEVERITY:
Headache
MEDICATION TAKEN?
TIME SUDDEN FEEL
to reduce the incidence and impact of
MILD/ VOMIT?
DATE DAY OF WEEK ATTACK ONSET? POSSIBLE TRIGGER/S? SICK?
MODERATE/ (Y/N) headache disorders in Australia via the
STARTS (Y/N) (Y/N)
MEDICATION NAME TIME TAKEN DOSE
SEVERE
provision of support, community
education and research.
Research into headache is greatly
underfunded. By joining Headache
Australia and/or making a tax-deductible
donation, you can contribute to finding
a cure for your pain. For more information
contact Headache Australia.
www.headacheaustralia.org.au
or phone [phone]
Always read the label. Use only as directed.
Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms
persist see your healthcare professional.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
* ibuprofen 400mg, paracetamol 1,000mg.
Headache Australia and
www.headacheaustralia.org.au
Are All Headaches The Same? A Real Life Example
What s the best way
Headache is the most Even though there are many
different types of headaches, most to treat a headache?
commonly suffered pain in
Name: Angela
fall under two main categories:
Australia, affecting over 15 Age: 33
Headache management is a great
tension headache or migraine.
Occupation: Receptionist
million Australians every year.
challenge. A number of treatment
In fact, 1 in 10 of us report options may have to be tried before
Tension headache is the most My Problem:
you discover what works best for you.
experiencing a headache at
widespread headache disorder in the I work in a busy office and spend a
least once a week. However,
world. If you suffer from an occasional, lot of time staring at my computer
Common pain relievers generally
we don t always understand non-debilitating headache it is most screen. My headaches start in the
provide effective treatment for everyday
likely to be a mild to moderate tension afternoon. The pain spreads from
the cause of pain or choose
headaches like tension headache.
headache. Tension headaches can last behind my eyes to my forehead and
the most effective treatment. Research indicates that ibuprofen
from half an hour to several days. Migraine headache is a debilitating often feels like a pressure or band
gives better pain relief than
Despite the pain associated with tension disorder that is more common in around my head.
alternatives like paracetamol*
headache, the sufferer can usually women. The intensity of migraine pain
for tension headaches that are
The second annual Headache General Advice:
continue with regular activities. often renders the sufferer unable to
moderate to severe in intensity.
It sounds like you suffer from
Awareness Week is an important
continue with regular activities.
Symptoms include:
occasional tension headaches.
Migraine treatment is far more
initiative to further educate
" Feeling like there is a tight band Symptoms include:
complex. Common pain relievers help,
" It is important to take time
Australians about this under-
around the head or a weight pressing " Severe throbbing pain generally felt
but managing migraine symptoms often
to relax during the work day
recognised, potentially disabling
down on the head on one side of the head, often
requires prescription medications.
" Get regular fresh air
illness. To coincide with Headache " Dull ache felt in the forehead or temples behind an eye
" Keep well hydrated
" Throbbing or pounding pain felt on
Awareness Week, Headache " Nausea and vomiting
You don t have to live with headache or
both sides of the head. " Sensitivity to light and/or sound " Don t skip meals
suffer in silence. If you have regular
Australia has developed this
" Visual disturbances such as flashing
headaches or dramatic changes in the
" Get adequate sleep
brochure to help you to Possible causes:
lights or blind spots.
types of headache symptoms you are
Despite the name, tension headaches " Use a headache diary to identify
understand and manage your
suffering, you should consult a
are not necessarily caused by tension. Possible causes: triggers, and discuss this with
headaches more effectively.
heathcare professional.
They can also be caused by anxiety, Hormonal changes, certain foods (citrus, your healthcare professional if
poor posture, eyestrain, stress, tiredness chocolate, cheese), caffeine, tiredness, your headaches persist
and skipping meals. stress and anxiety. www.headacheaustralia.org.au