Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna
Mental Attitude: Post-Concussion, Ease Back into Normal Activities… New United States government guidelines recommend that after sustaining a concussion, children should refrain from physical and mental activities for the first three days, including school and sports, and then gradually resume their normal routine. Researchers Dr. Matthew Breiding notes, “Some children and teens think concussions aren’t serious or worry that if they report a concussion they will lose their position on the team or look weak. Remind them that it’s better to miss one game than the whole season.” JAMA Pediatrics, September 2018
Health Alert: Sleep Loss Increases Risk for Diabetes. In this study, researchers found that six hours of sleep deprivation led to elevated blood glucose in the liver, an increase in triglyceride levels, and changes to levels of liver enzymes related to metabolism in otherwise healthy rats. The research team believes that the changes induced by sleep deprivation may be the root cause of insulin resistance and buildup of fat in the liver, increasing the risk for diabetes, regardless of changes in activity and diet. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2018
Diet: Nutrient-Rich Diet Beneficial to Heart Failure Patients. An examination of data regarding 246 heart failure patients found that 44% of patients with deficiencies in seven or more micronutrients—the most common being calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins C, D, and E—were hospitalized or died within the next year, compared with only 25% of patients who had fewer or no nutrient deficiencies. Journal of the American Heart Association, September 2018
Exercise: Exercise May Boost Brain Power in Alzheimer’s Patients. According to a study involving mice with a condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, exercise may trigger the production of new neurons in brain regions where memories are encoded, potentially slowing the progression of the disease. Science, September 2018
Chiropractic: Almost Half of Golfers Have Back Pain… Among a group of 271 recreational golfers, researchers found that 45% suffered from mechanical lower back pain (MLBP) and 23% had sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD). Further analysis showed that nearly 96% of the golfers with SIJD also had MLBP. The findings suggest that doctors should evaluate the sacroiliac joint in golfers with low back pain and that improving sacroiliac joint function could reduce the risk of low back pain recurrence. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Connecting with Your Child. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that children who have a positive, healthy relationship with their parents are better able to handle challenges such as family instability, parental stress, or depression. To improve parent-child bonding, the NIH recommends the following: reward and praise your child for good behavior; give your child chores and offer praise for jobs well done; don’t be overly critical if a child fails a task and allow time to develop new skills; use kind words, tones, and gestures when giving instructions or making requests; spend time every day in warm, positive, loving interactions with your child; identify opportunities to increase family time, such as taking walks or reading books together; brainstorm solutions to problems at home or school together; set rules for screen time; show interest in your child’s feelings, concerns, worries, goals, and ideas; and participate in activities that your child enjoys, such as the child’s games, activities, and performances. National Institutes of Health, September 2018
Quote: “The worst times can be the best if you think with positive energy.” ~ Domenico Dolce
Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna