Understanding Migraine vs. Headache Days
What are headache days?
Counting headache days is not the same as counting attacks.
- For example, you may have a headache that starts on Monday and doesn’t go away until Wednesday; this would be one attack but three headache days.
Remember to provide your doctor with an accurate number of all of the days you had headache pain of any kind.
Are migraine days the same as headache days?
If you experience any combination of the following symptoms, your headache may be a migraine:
- Constant, throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Headaches that get worse with movement (you may want to lie down)
Whether your headache is a migraine or not, it still counts as a headache day.
What if the headache goes away after I take medicine?
Days that you treated/resolved your headache/migraine with either over the counter or prescription medication still count as headache days.
For more information about treatment options or to find a doctor who treats headaches, visit: www.MyChronicMigraine.ca.
1. Headache Classification Subcommittee
of the International Headache Society.
The International Classification of
Headache Disorders: 2nd edition.
Cephalalgia. 2004;24(suppl 1):9-160.