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Track your headache frequency, intensity, triggers, and medication use to classify migraine patterns and determine if preventive treatment is needed.
| Days/Month | Classification | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| <4 days | Low frequency episodic | Usually not needed |
| 4-7 days | Moderate frequency episodic | Consider preventive therapy |
| 8-14 days | High frequency episodic | Preventive therapy recommended |
| ≥15 days | Chronic migraine | Preventive therapy essential |
Medication overuse headache occurs when acute headache medications are used too frequently:
Episodic migraine occurs fewer than 15 days per month, while chronic migraine is defined as headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, with at least 8 days having migraine features. Chronic migraine significantly impacts quality of life and typically requires preventive treatment.
Preventive treatment should be considered if you have 4 or more migraine days per month, if migraines significantly impact your daily activities, if acute treatments are ineffective or contraindicated, or if you're at risk for medication overuse headache. Discuss with your healthcare provider to determine the best approach.
Medication overuse headache (MOH) occurs when acute headache medications are used too frequently (≥10-15 days/month), leading to a paradoxical worsening of headaches. Prevent it by limiting acute medication use, using preventive therapy if needed, and working with your doctor to develop an appropriate treatment plan. If you suspect MOH, consult your healthcare provider.
Keep a headache diary for at least 3 months to establish patterns and assess treatment effectiveness. This duration allows you to identify triggers, track medication use, and provide comprehensive data to your healthcare provider. Continue tracking if starting new preventive treatments to monitor response.
Yes, identifying and avoiding triggers can significantly reduce migraine frequency for many people. Common modifiable triggers include certain foods, irregular sleep patterns, stress, and dehydration. While not all triggers can be avoided (like weather changes or hormonal fluctuations), addressing controllable factors can meaningfully improve migraine management.
If your migraines are increasing in frequency or severity, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or a headache specialist. Worsening migraines may indicate the need for preventive therapy, adjustment of current treatments, or evaluation for medication overuse headache. Don't wait—early intervention can prevent progression to chronic migraine.
Yes, many smartphone apps are designed for headache tracking and can make diary-keeping easier. Popular options include Migraine Buddy, N1-Headache, and Curelator. These apps often include features like trigger tracking, medication logging, weather correlation, and report generation for healthcare visits. Choose one that's user-friendly and meets your tracking needs.
Preventive treatments include beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol), anticonvulsants (topiramate, valproate), antidepressants (amitriptyline, venlafaxine), CGRP monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab), and Botox injections for chronic migraine. Lifestyle modifications like regular sleep, exercise, stress management, and trigger avoidance are also crucial. Your healthcare provider will recommend treatments based on your specific situation.
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