Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Sleep Apnea May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk.
Past research has linked the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers analyzed spinal fluid samples from 208 older men and women without dementia and found signs that indicated the presence of brain plaque in the samples taken from those with sleep apnea. This concerns researchers, as some estimates indicate that half of the elderly population suffers from sleep apnea of varying severity. The findings suggest that treating sleep apnea could help reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, November 2017
Health Alert: Waiting Just a Month to Remove Melanoma Can Be Deadly.
An analysis of data regarding over 153,000 adults found that postponing surgical treatment for more than 29 days led to lower survival rates for those diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma. Researcher Dr. Brian Gastman writes, “We saw significantly worse prognoses and outcomes for those surgically treated after 30 days of stage I melanoma diagnosis. Knowing for certain that a more expedient time to surgery to remove an early melanoma improves the chances of survival is a game-changer in treating this life-threatening skin cancer.”
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, October 2017
Diet: Certain Foods May Help Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain.
According to a new report in the Frontiers of Nutrition, foods such as pomegranates, dried plums, whole grains, ginger, turmeric, and olive oil appear to reduce inflammation, which may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Frontiers in Nutrition, November 2017
Exercise: Is Biking to Work as Effective as Leisure Time Exercise?
In this study, researchers assigned 130 overweight people to one of four groups: a cycling group, a moderate-intensity leisure-time exercise group, a high-intensity leisure time exercise group, and a control group that did not exercise. The cycling group rode an average of 8.7 miles (14 kg) per day, the high-intensity group exercised about 35 minutes per day, and the moderate-intensity group exercised for around 55 minutes a day. After six months, the researchers calculated that the total energy expenditure was the same in all three exercise groups and all exercise participants lost between 9-10 lbs (4.08-4.53 kg). The findings suggest the riding a bike to work would be a time-effective solution to lose weight and become more physically active.
International Journal of Obesity, October 2017
Chiropractic: On-Site Chiropractic Care Could Benefit Employers.
A recent report explored the benefits of employing a chiropractor part-time to provide on-site wellness care for one day each week. The investigators found that employees who utilized on-site chiropractic care had work absenteeism rates lower than industry norms.
Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, September 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Reducing UV Radiation Exposure.
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant cause of skin cancer. To minimize exposure, the American Cancer Society suggests the following: stay in the shade during the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are the strongest; wear sunscreen when outside at all times; wear clothes that cover most of your skin; wear a wide brimmed hat to protect you head, neck, and face; and wear sunglasses that are designed block dangerous UV rays.
American Cancer Society, November 2017
Quote: “Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.” ~ Thomas Mann
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna