(HealthDay News) -- A headache journal can help you track symptoms and determine possible triggers for your chronic pain.

The University of California San Francisco Medical Center says the journal should include:

  • Date and time of each headache.
  • Duration of each headache.
  • Activities that preceded each headache.
  • Food and drink consumed before the onset of each headache.
  • Treatment used to manage each headache, such as prescription or over-the-counter medication, herbal treatment, or other remedy.
  • Location and severity of each headache, and accompanying symptoms such as nausea or dizziness.
  • How each headache impacts your daily life.