Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Too Many Drivers Using Their Phones, Despite Knowing Dangers. Past studies have shown that drivers who talk on cellphones are up to four times more likely to crash, and those who text are up to eight times more likely to be involved in a collision than individuals who don’t use phones while driving. A survey of more than 2,600 drivers revealed that nearly 58% agreed that talking on a cell phone is a serious threat to their safety, while 78% admitted the texting is a significant danger. Yet, nearly 50% of those surveyed said they had recently talked on their cellphone while driving and more than one-third had sent a text or email while behind the wheel. AAA, April 2018
Health Alert: Nearly 10% of Adults Now Have Type 2 Diabetes in the US. According to a new report, 21 million adults in the United States (US) now have type 2 diabetes, a condition linked to being overweight or obese that increases the risk for heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, vision loss, and Alzheimer’s disease. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 2018
Diet: Ensure Your Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe to Eat. Though rich in vital nutrients and vitamins, raw fruits and veggies can harbor potentially harmful germs, such as Salmonella and E. coli. When selecting fresh produce, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the following: choose produce that doesn’t look bruised or damaged; keep precut fruit and vegetables cold; keep fruit and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood in your grocery bags and in the refrigerator; wash hands, knives, cutting boards, and countertops before and after preparing fruit and vegetables; and wash all produce before eating, cutting, or cooking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2018
Exercise: Physically Active Kids May Sleep Better. Among a group of 1,100 Brazilian teenagers, researchers found that those with low aerobic fitness were 80% more likely to experience poor sleep quality. World Journal of Pediatrics, March 2018
Chiropractic: Manipulation Plus Exercise Helps Teens with Back Pain. Back pain is common in the adolescent population, but little research exists on treatment options for this group of patients. In a new study, researchers randomly assigned teenagers with back pain into one of two treatment groups for a three-month period: spinal manipulation combined with exercise therapy or exercise therapy alone. The investigators monitored low back pain severity, disability, quality of life, medication use, and patient and caregiver-rated improvement and satisfaction at 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The findings revealed that for adolescents with back pain, spinal manipulation combined with exercise is more effective than exercise alone over a one-year period. Pain, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Turn Down the Volume! Experts estimate that up to 20% of Americans aged 12 to 19 have some degree of hearing loss. Technology is most likely to blame, especially with the use of earbuds. To help protect your child’s hearing, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: instruct them turn down the volume to about 60%, ask them to take breaks after an hour of listening, and make sure your child can talk to others and hear what’s going on around them when listening to music. American Academy of Pediatrics, April 2018
Quote: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna