How to keep a migraine diary with Aura
By Orion Designs LLC · Source checked
A useful migraine diary records what happened, when it happened, and how it affected your day. Aura brings those observations into an iPhone headache log, with optional questions you can simplify and a review step before saving.
Start with the details you can remember
Aura’s logging flow includes headache type, onset, intensity, pain location, symptoms, possible triggers, and notes. The type you select is your label for the record; selecting it is not a diagnosis. You can change which question sections appear, while the review step remains part of the flow.
An estimated start time is more useful when marked as an estimate. If you cannot recall a symptom or possible trigger, leave it unknown rather than filling the gap with a guess.
- Record when the headache began and whether it is still ongoing.
- Describe intensity, symptoms, and the effect on your activities in your own terms.
- Add treatment observations separately from guesses about what caused the headache.
- Review the record and correct it when you have more information.
A worked diary entry
This fictional record illustrates the difference between an observation and an interpretation. It is not a patient record or a suggested treatment.
| Field | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | About 14:00; still ongoing at 16:00 | The start is approximate; duration is unfinished. |
| Intensity and impact | 6/10; stopped working at the screen | A personal rating plus a concrete effect on the day. |
| Symptoms | Nausea and light sensitivity | What was noticed, without inferring a diagnosis. |
| Possible context | Slept less than usual | An observation to compare later, not a confirmed cause. |
Paper, spreadsheet, or Aura?
A paper diary can be enough if you want a short written record. A spreadsheet lets you choose your own columns. Aura adds structured questions, linked treatment records, and a place to review patterns and export information. Choose the format you can keep up with; an app does not make a sparse or guessed record more reliable.
The American Migraine Foundation describes several diary formats and suggests keeping the task manageable. Ask your clinician which details would help your next conversation. You can start a diary without waiting for Aura’s App Store link.
Sources and review
Prepared with AI assistance. Product details were checked against the current Aura source; release availability and screen appearance were not independently verified. This page has not received independent clinical review. Examples are fictional.
- American Migraine Foundation: headache journals — Background on diary formats and discussing records with a clinician; not an endorsement of Aura.
Published . How we use sources and handle corrections.
Aura is a tracking and informational tool. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Continue with a related guide
Explore Aura for iPhone
The App Store link is coming soon. Explore Aura’s tracking features, or start a simple diary using the guide above.