Flu cases surge ahead of holidays; most Americans overlook their health needs during the holidays; new migraine prevention drug may work right away – Morning Medical Update

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Thirteen U.S. states report high flu-like illness levels, signaling the rapid approach of flu season with 1.9 million cases nationwide.
AHA survey finds 51% of Americans feel stressed post-holidays, with 71% regretting not relaxing and 63% finding holidays more stressful than tax season.
Chronic stress during holidays can adversely affect long-term mental and physical health, emphasizing the need for stress management.
Atogepant, a CGRP receptor antagonist, may prevent migraines immediately, offering a faster alternative to current migraine prevention drugs.

The top news stories in medicine today.

Flu cases surge ahead of holiday gatherings

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that, ahead of holiday gatherings, thirteen states have already reported “high” or “very high” levels of flu-like illness. This report indicates that the heart of flu season is rapidly approaching, with an estimated 1.9 million cases nationwide, thus far. CBS News has more.

A majority of Americans overlook their health needs during the holidays

According to a 2023 survey from the American Heart Association (AHA), 51% of surveyed Americans say it takes them weeks to feel less stressed after the holidays, with more than 25% of mothers reportedly needing more than one month to recover emotionally. Additional survey responses found that 71% of respondents regret not taking time to relax during the holiday season, and 63% consider the holidays to be, “more stressful than tax season.”

“Chronic stress can negatively impact both your long-term mental and physical health in many ways if left unmanaged,” Glenn N. Levine, MD, FAHA, volunteer with AHA, said in an organizational release. “The holidays are an easy time to justify putting off healthy habits, but it’s important to manage chronic stress and other risk factors to stay healthy during the holiday season and into the New Year.”

New migraine prevention drug may start working immediately

According to a study published in the December 23, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, the drug atogepant—a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist taken by mouth—may start working to prevent migraines right away. In the study, those taking the drug were less likely to have a migraine on the first day and throughout the first four weeks of taking the drug compared to those on a placebo.

“With many current drugs to prevent migraine, it takes time to find the right dosage for the individual and it can take weeks or even months for it to be most effective,” Richard B. Lipton, MD, author of the study, said in an organizational release. “…Developing a drug that works both effectively and quickly is critical.”