Weekend ICYMI: June 17 to June 21

Does Chocolate Trigger Migraines?

Dark chocolate and cocoa beans / Sea Wave - stock.adobe.com

More than 1 billion people worldwide experience migraines and the condition presents itself differently for each person. Triggers vary widely. While a cup of coffee may be helpful for some, it can worsen migraines for others. Factors like susceptibility, family history, and medication sensitivity add another layer of complexity. This prevalence, combined with the intricate nature of migraines and ongoing research, creates a landscape fraught with misconceptions. According to Shivang Joshi, MD, MPH, RPh, FAHS, there is no universal trigger. Instead, overlapping triggers create a “perfect storm” that precipitates a migraine event. The good news is, not all people with migraine need to skip out on chocolate to avoid an attack.

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know About the US Bird Flu Outbreak

From the first known human case in 2022 to the US government pledging nearly $200 million to stop the spread, the H5N1 virus, also known as the bird flu, has evolved into an alarming public health issue in the US. Although an outbreak from human-to-human transmission remains unlikely, representatives from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the CDC recently provided an update detailing how the virus has adapted over the past few years and what the public should be aware of as the outbreak continues in US dairy cattle.

Trust Between Patient, Provider Key to Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy

Although vaccine hesitancy, which refers to a delay or refusal in the acceptance of vaccines, has long been a public health issue, it was significantly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While several reasons have been given for not wanting to get a COVID-19 vaccine, the most common were safety, side effects and the risk posed by COVID-19 itself. Relationships between patients and their providers need to be improved before the next global medical crisis in order for vaccine hesitancy to be less of an issue than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research presented at the ASHP Pharmacy Futures 2024 conference, held June 8 to 12 in Portland, Oregon.

Multiple Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Worse Migraine Outcomes

Patients with migraine who have multiple vitamin deficiencies may experience worse headache outcomes compared to patients who only have 1 vitamin deficiency, according to new research presented at the American Headache Society 66th Annual Scientific Meeting, held June 13 to 16 in San Diego, California. Around 16% of all adults in the United States suffer from migraine or severe headache, although women are affected more than men. The burden of this high impact chronic condition can leave many at a disadvantage; around 40% of those who suffer from migraine or severe headache are unemployed and similar numbers are classified as poor or near poor.

Slideshow: Exploring Cannabis Utilization in the Oncology Landscape

Cannabis has many therapeutic benefits, several of which target common side effects of cancer treatment. The plant has been shown to stimulate food intake and mitigate weight loss, relieve chronic pain, and even alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Four abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2024 annual meeting, held May 31 to June 4 in Chicago, Illinois, explored the utilization of cannabis in the oncology landscape, delving into pain management, potential medication interactions, and symptom mitigation.

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