There has been a surge in health tracking apps. Some of these apps have become convenient tools for recording symptoms and identifying possible patterns. One example of these types of apps that have become popular is headache-tracking apps. Many people who have used these apps have found them to be helpful in preparing for health appointments with their doctors. If you’ve been frequently getting painful migraines and have been thinking about using one of these apps, here are four of the best free apps for tracking headache triggers and symptoms.
Why Track Headache Triggers and Symptoms?
Staying on top of your health is very important. The invention of different health apps, such as period tracker apps, has made things easier for busy adults to keep up with their symptoms, triggers, and any other changes in their health. Some people also use a health or symptom diary to keep track of their signs and symptoms. Doing this could help you better manage how often you get migraines and headaches. You will come to know exactly what’s causing you to have these painful conditions. Whether you’re using a diary or an app tracker, you could better monitor various factors such as sleep quality and changes in sleep schedules, stress and anxiety, food, caffeine, and hydration, and other hormonal changes that could play a role in affecting headaches. You’ll also be able to communicate the frequency, duration, type of pain, associated symptoms, and the effectiveness of certain medications used more clearly to your healthcare professional.
Best Free Apps for Tracking Headache Triggers and Symptoms
If keeping an online or physical headache diary isn’t for you, why not consider using an app to keep track of your triggers and symptoms? There are several free, easy-to-use apps you can try to keep track of symptoms in a detailed way. While each app is free, they do come with premium features that you’ll have to pay for. Let’s learn about these interesting apps and what you can expect from them before deciding to download.
Migraine Buddy
The first one was developed with the input of neurologists and data scientists to better support you as the patient and your healthcare provider. Highly rated on app stores, Migraine Buddy is a fast and easy migraine tracking app designed to help you better understand your symptoms, what triggers your migraines, how often you get them, and what medications you’re taking. It has an easy-to-use interface that tracks all aspects of your migraine, including sleep tracking and generating personalized reports. You can download Migraine Buddy on Apple IOS or Google Android. It’s free to use, but it does come with paid premium features.
N1-Headache
Another migraine tracking app that’s free to use is N1-Headache. Formerly called Curelator Headache, this app helps identify the patterns of your everyday life and how they’re impacting or preventing your migraine attacks. Keep track of your sleep activity, mood, overall lifestyle, and medications in this easy-to-use app. Patients can easily connect to their providers with follow-up questions, concerns, or to generate reports. There is a free version and a one-time purchase of a premium version with features you can’t get in the free one, such as trigger map, protector map, etc.
Apple Health
If you’re an Apple Iphone user, you may like Apple Health as an option for a migraine app tracker. While it’s a good app for tracking other aspects of your health like your menstrual cycle, additional support when you become pregnant, or your mental health, it’s also helpful in migraine and headache tracking, too. You can keep track through a built-in symptom logging and use it in conjunction with third-party headache tracking apps. It doesn’t have areas where you can really detail your symptoms as the two previous apps have, but Apple Health could be a good free option for overall health tracking.
Bearable
The last one we’re going to learn about is called Bearable. This is an app where you could keep track of any chronic health condition you’re dealing with, from migraines to anxiety. You can easily keep track of your symptoms throughout this user-friendly app. Bearable is also the first symptom tracking app that can be used to track and analyze an unlimited number of custom symptoms. You could do it all for free; however, it does come with an optional premium version. Just like the Migraine Buddy and N1-Headache, you can share your data and reports with your doctor. You can customize almost any aspect of your health in this app, and it’s available to install on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Can Headache Tracking Apps Help Identify Migraine Triggers?
So how useful are headache tracking apps in identifying migraine triggers? I have yet to use any of these apps, but according to their websites, they are highly rated on app stores and scientifically reviewed by health clinicians. Also, on their websites, these apps have received several positive testimonials from actual users. However, it’s important not to make serious health changes, such as anything medication- or dietary-related, based solely on an app giving you suggestions. Tracking apps are generally informational tools and not supposed to be used as substitutes for medical evaluations. Talk to your doctor about any recurring patterns or unusual changes that could be triggering your headache symptoms.
How to Choose the Right Headache Tracking App
If you’ve been thinking about using a headache tracking app to keep up with your migraines, be sure to do your research on them. Many users of these apps have acknowledged the ease, simplicity, and convenience of logging symptoms. However, they shouldn’t replace any needed medical evaluations or advice from your doctor. Consider choosing an app that is easy to use and offers appropriate privacy protections for your health information. When you choose one, start recording your symptoms and always discuss concerning patterns with your doctor.
Do you use a free headache tracking app to keep track of your migraine symptoms? Perhaps you may use one of these four. If you do, feel free to share your favorite one in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next woman you know who suffers from migraines.
