Courtesy of: Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Esophageal Cancer Increasing Among Young Adults. Researchers report that the incidence of
esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased over the last 40 years, with the rate increasing fastest among patients under the age of 50. Additionally, the research team reports that younger esophageal cancer patients were more likely to be diagnosed with a more advanced stage of the cancer and their survival rates were lower than patients aged 50 and up. Lead study author Dr. Don C. Codipilly adds, “Physicians must keep in mind that [esophageal adenocarcinoma] is not a disease of the elderly, and that outcomes for young people with
[esophageal adenocarcinoma] are dismal… Our findings suggest that physicians should have a low threshold of suspicion for patients who present with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). While younger patients would typically not be at high risk for [esophageal adenocarcinoma], they may benefit from an upper endoscopy.”
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, December 2020

Diet: Avocados Benefit Your Gut Microbes. Among a group of 163 obese or overweight adults, researchers observed that consuming one avocado a day led to an increase of microbes in the digestive system known to break down fiber and support gut health.                                                                          Journal of Nutrition, December 2020

Exercise: Tai Chi May Improve Mood, Energy, and Sleep. Older women who participated in a four-week Tai Chi program reported improvements in vigor, mood, and sleep that persisted up to four weeks following the conclusion of the intervention.                                                                              Research in Sports Medicine, January 2021

Chiropractic: Back Pain Common in Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 256 nurses revealed that 44.5%
had experienced low back pain during the previous week and 80% had low back pain in the preceding year.
Acta Biomedica, November 2020

Mental Attitude: Late-Life Hypertension May Signal Increased Dementia Risk. While a history of high blood pressure is a known risk factor for dementia, a recent study suggests that older adults who develop hypertension late in life may be at an even higher risk for cognitive decline.
Frontiers in Neurology, November 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D, Calcium, and Dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a very
common gynecological disorder affecting 84.1% of women during childbearing age. The most common symptoms of PD include tiredness, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and lower abdominal pain that can radiate to both thighs and/or to the low back. The current research suggests that women with low vitamin D and calcium levels may experience more severe PD symptoms.                                                                          Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, January 2021

Quote: “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” ~ Lou Holtz

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna