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Health Alert: Is a Negative Personality Linked to Heart Attack Risk? Personality evaluations of 150 myocardial infarction patients revealed that these individuals were more likely to have a negative outlook on life than the general population.                                                                                     Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, September 2020

Diet: A Commonly Used Joint Supplement May Benefit the Heart? Using data from several United Kingdom National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers found that individuals who took a daily glucosamine supplement to support joint health had a 65% reduced risk for death due to cardiovascular disease in the following decade. Though further research is necessary to understand the nature of the relationship between glucosamine supplement use and improved heart health; however, they venture that
glucosamine may lower systemic inflammation in healthy individuals or that people who use these supplements may take more care of their health and be healthier overall.
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, December 2020

Exercise: Outdoor Winter Workout Ideas. During the colder months, the American Heart Association recommends trying these outdoor activities to stay fit: brisk walking or hiking, jogging or running, raking leaves, shoveling snow, ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. If it is too cold, there are also plenty of indoor exercise choices as well. American Heart Association, November 2020

Chiropractic: Sacroiliac Adjustments Affect Pelvic Angles. Among a group of 100 adults with sacroiliac (SI)
joint dysfunction, researchers observed that a single adjustment of the SI joint resulted in measurable changes in the pelvic angle. The study reveals that specific chiropractic adjustments can have a positive influence on the pelvis to help correct anatomical alignment.                                                                 Health SA Gesondheid, December 2020

Mental Attitude: Paternal Involvement and Later Behavioral and Emotional Issues. A review of data
concerning nearly 5,000 older teens in the United States revealed that those whose fathers were more involved in their lives from ages 5 to 15 were less likely to have emotional and behaviors problems in late adolescence.
Social Service Review, December 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Tips for a Healthier Life. The United States Preventive Services Task Force offers these simple steps to live a healthy life, prevent disease, increase longevity, and improve physical, mental, and emotional health: get regular health screenings, don’t smoke, meet physical activity guidelines, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and follow your doctor’s advice.
United States Preventive Services Task Force, December 2020

Quote: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston

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Health Alert: Many Teens Are Driving While Impaired. A nationwide survey of over 6,800 teenagers revealed that 13% had driven under the influence of marijuana in the previous month. Additionally, 5% reported they had driven with alcohol in their system during the same time frame.                           JAMA Network Open, December 2020

Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods Pose Health Risks. Using data concerning over 22,000 participants from the Moli-sani project, researchers report that a high intake of ultra-processed foods can increase an individual’s risk for death due to cardiovascular disease by up to 58% in the following eight years.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2020

Exercise: Lower Body Strength in Children Is on the Decline. A review of data from national fitness assessments conducted since 1960 revealed that performance on the standing broad jump test increased steadily from 1960 to 1980, slowed in the 1990s, and has declined over the last two decades.
Sports Medicine, December 2020

Chiropractic: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Office Workers. Questionnaires completed by 969 office workers
under the age of 50 revealed that about one in five experience wrist and/or hand symptoms commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The researchers estimate that working without breaks can increase the risk for hand and wrist symptoms by up to 88% and that taking frequent breaks could reduce the incidence of CTS among office workers.                 BMC Public Health, January 2021

Mental Attitude: Many Teens Who Suffer a Concussion Return to Driving Too Soon. Interviews with 322 adolescent drivers who had sustained a concussion revealed that roughly a third made no changes to their driving behavior and 1 in 5 returned to driving within two weeks. The findings suggest that roughly half of teen drivers who sustain a concussion may be back on the road too soon, placing themselves, their passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians at risk.                Journal of Adolescent Health, December 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Protect Yourself from the Flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following tips to protect yourself and others from the flu: avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay home when you are sick; cover your month when coughing or sneezing; stay home when you are sick; clean your hands; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; and practice other good health habits, such as cleaning surfaces, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2020

Quote: “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow.” ~ Mary Tyler Moore

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Sleeping Pills Linked to Falls & Fractures in Dementia Patients. Researchers collected data on over 27,000 dementia patients and found that those prescribed a high dosage of strong sleeping medications such as zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone (so-called “Z-drugs”) had an elevated risk for a stroke, serious fall, and fracture, especially hip fracture. Study author Dr. Chris Fox notes, “This research shows us that higher-dose Zdrugs should be avoided, if possible, in people living with dementia, and non-pharmacological alternatives
preferentially considered.”                                                             BMC Medicine, November 2020

Diet: Most Calories Teens Eat Come from Ultra-Processed Foods. Dietary assessments of 5,500 adolescents
revealed that nearly 66% of calories consumed by teenagers come from ultra-processed foods (such as chips, cookies, candy, soft drinks, and read-to-eat products).                                  American Heart Association, November 2020

Exercise: Quick Bursts of Exercise May Benefit Diabetics. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form
of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing, separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A recent study found that type 2 diabetics may experience greater improvements in blood vessel function with HIIT than from longer duration, less intense exercise.                                    American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, November 2020

Chiropractic: Common Manual Therapies Reduce Chronic Low Back Pain. The results from a recent study
that included ten chronic back pain patients showed that both high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulative therapy and muscle energy technique are effective interventions for reducing pain and improving joint function. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapy techniques, including the two used in this study, to reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.
South African Journal of Physiotherapy, October 2020

Mental Attitude: Depression Linked to Diabetes. An analysis of data concerning 30,360 middle aged and older adults revealed that a diagnosis of depression may increase an individual’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes within the following seven years.                                                                 Annals of Epidemiology, December 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Physical Problems Associated with Device Use in Kids. A survey of 569 elementary school students revealed that one in four experience physical discomfort following prolonged electronic device use with the most common complaints being headaches, neck/shoulder pain, back pain, and eye strain.
Medical Journal of Malaysia, November 2020

Quote: “There’s no such thing as failure – just waiting for success.” ~ John Osborne

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Many People May Not Recognize a Heart Attack. The top five most common heart attack symptoms include chest pain/discomfort; shortness of breath; arm and shoulder pain and discomfort; feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint; and jaw, neck, and back pain. A survey of 393 adults revealed that only 11.5% recognized all five symptoms and the majority (71.65%) only recognized chest pain/discomfort as a possible sign of heart attack.                                         International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, December 2020

Diet: Plant-Based Diet Boosts Metabolism? During a 16-week experiment, overweight/obese participants who adopted a low-fat, plant-based diet that included fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes experienced an 18.7% increased after-meal calorie burn, something that was not observed in individuals who ate their usual diet. The members of the plant-based diet group also reported more significant drops in fat mass and visceral fat.                                                                                      JAMA Network Open, November 2020

Exercise: Walking Benefits the Hearts of Postmenopausal Women. In a study that looked at a decade of data concerning over 83,000 middle aged and older females, researchers observed that the more steps a participant averaged per day, the lower her risk for high blood pressure. Hypertension, November 2020

Chiropractic: How to Reduce Work-Related Injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal conditions are unfortunately too common among workers in nearly all industries. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers the following tips to help reduce work-related injuries: modify your work to reduce the amount of reaching and bending you perform daily; avoid slouching and bending in awkward positions; include stretching
and movement to strengthen your posture while working; reduce repetitive or prolonged activities when possible; take frequent breaks during your shift; and remember to use proper mechanics when lifting.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, November 2020

Mental Attitude: Two Foods That May Reduce Risk for Early-Onset Dementia. A comparison of diet assessments of 54 recently diagnosed early-onset dementia (EOD) patients and 54 cognitively healthy individuals revealed that a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish may be associated with a reduced risk for
EOD. Nutrients, November 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Low Sodium Diet May Lower Risk for Stomach Cancer. The current research suggests that adopting a low-sodium diet can reduce a middle-aged adult’s risk for gastric cancer by up to 24%.
Cancer Medicine, December 2020

Quote: “Those who try to obliterate the past are injuring the present.” ~ Helen Dunmore

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Vitamin D Supplementation May Lower Acute Respiratory Infection Risk. A review of findings from 42 published studies found that consuming a daily 400-1000 IU vitamin D supplement may reduce an individual’s risk for acute respiratory infection by up to 30%.                        MedRxiv, November 2020

Diet: Processed Fats and Sugars Increase Muscle Pain. Researchers observed that switching the diet of mice to one rich in either highly processed sugars or fats led to increased excitability of the muscle nerves and resulting muscle pain. The findings suggest that reducing the intake of highly processed foods may benefit patients with muscle pain.                  Nutrients, October 2020

Exercise: Benefits of Strength Training. The American Cancer Society notes the following benefits for strength training: increased muscle mass, stronger bones, improved joint flexibility, increased metabolism, and improved balance. American Cancer Society, November 2020

Chiropractic: Dizziness? It Could Be the Neck. Dizziness can have a number of potential causes, but one that often goes unidentified is dysfunction in the neck, particularly in the upper cervical spine. A recent article in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation notes that once vestibular and cardiovascular pathologies have been ruled out, patients with ongoing dizziness issues should be evaluated for cervical disorders. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate the cervical spine and to restore normal motion using a combination of manual therapies
and specific exercise recommendations.                                  Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, October 2020

Mental Attitude: Disasters Increase Suicides. According to a new study, an individual’s risk for suicide can increase up to 23% following a natural disaster, and the elevated suicide risk can persist for up to two years. The findings reveal that more mental health resources are needed to address challenges that arise after a disaster and that these services should be extended for a longer period of time following a disaster.
Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, November 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Problems with Sleep Only Accelerate Other Troubles… Using data from the SNACK study, researchers report that older adults with moderate-to-severe sleep disturbances will likely accumulate chronic neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions at a faster rate than seniors with good sleep hygiene. The authors of the analysis conclude that the early detection and treatment of sleep difficulties may present itself as a possible strategy to reduce the risk for chronic multimorbidity in the older population.
BMC Medicine, December 2020

Quote: “Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.” ~ John Milton

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Health Alert: Sedentary Behavior Increases the Risk of Heart Failure in Women. An analysis of health and lifestyle data of nearly 81,000 postmenopausal women found that spending less than 6.5 hours a day engaged in sedentary activities can cut the risk for hospitalization for heart failure by over 40%.
Circulation: Heart Failure, November 2020

Diet: Adding Dried Fruit Equals Better Diet and Health Markers. Researchers analyzed data on over 25,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that people who regularly consumed dried fruit were more likely to eat a healthy diet and less likely to be overweight or hypertensive.                                                     Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2020

Exercise: Exercise May Help Keep the Mind Sharp. An evaluation of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging revealed that middle aged and older adults who regularly exercised scored higher on assessments of orientation, attention, memory, and language than non-exercisers.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, November 2020

Chiropractic: Headaches and the Neck. For patients with headaches that originate in the neck, also known as cervicogenic headaches, a combination of manual therapies and specific exercise recommendations can be effective for reducing headache frequency and intensity. Past research suggests that up to 4% of the general population and up to one-in-six chronic headache sufferers may be affected by cervicogenic headaches.
StatPearls, August 2020

Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairment and Balance and Walking Ability. Assessments of 90 older adults revealed that those with either mild cognitive impairment or early dementia exhibited differences in gait and balance compared to participants with normal cognitive function. The findings suggest that changes in walking ability and balance may help healthcare providers identify patients who may be experiencing cognitive decline, possibly before other symptoms are present.
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, December 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Smoking Causes Half of Bladder Cancer Cases! The current research notes that smoking is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer, accounting for roughly half of bladder cancer cases. Furthermore, there’s no evidence to suggest that electronic cigarettes reduce this risk.
Spanish Archive of Urology, December 2020

Quote: “In order to achieve anything you must be brave enough to fail.” ~ Kirk Douglas

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Smog Linked to Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s Risk. New research suggests that even small increases in fine particulate matter air pollution where an individual lives can lead to an elevated risk for a first hospital
admission for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Lancet Planetary Health, October 2020

Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Improve Prognosis Following Heart Attack. Among a group of 944 consecutive
acute myocardial infarction patients, researchers observed that those with higher omega-3 fatty acid serum levels were less likely to experience major adverse cardiovascular events, readmission for cardiovascular causes, or death from any cause in the following three years. The findings suggest that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may offer cardioprotective benefits. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, November 2020

Exercise: Short Sleep May Impair Physical Function in Seniors. Grip strength is often used in scientific research as an indicator of physical function/fitness. Assessments of 121 older adults revealed an association between sleep duration and stronger grip strength. The findings suggest that strategies to improve sleep in seniors could lead to improved physical function.                                                                                       Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, November 2020

Chiropractic: Forward Head Posture Linked to Chronic Headaches? A review of data from twelve published studies found that chronic primary headache patients were more likely to exhibit forward head posture than individuals without a history of headache. The findings suggest that abnormal cervical posture could play a role in the headache process. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify forward head posture and prescribe corrective exercises.                                                       Pain Medicine, October 2020

Mental Attitude: Pregnancy-Related ADHD Risk Factors… An analysis of data from 35 published studies
identified evidence that the following are associated with an elevated risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) in children: maternal pre-pregnancy obesity; pre-eclampsia; smoking during pregnancy; and maternal
acetaminophen use during pregnancy.                                    Lancet Psychiatry, November 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Uterine Fibroids Common for Women. Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous growths that usually appear during childbearing years. Common signs and symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual periods that last longer than a week, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, constipation, and back or leg pain. If you suffer from these symptoms you should contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation and treatment options.                                              Mayo Clinic, October 2020

Quote: “When you see a roadblock or challenge as an opportunity, it is amazing how you are already halfway
there.” ~ Frances Hesselbein

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Asthma Meds Weaken Bones? Researchers have identified a potential link between oral corticosteroid usage by patients with asthma and an elevated risk for osteoporosis and serious bone fractures.
Thorax, October 2020

Diet: High Flavanol Diet May Lower Blood Pressure. Evaluations of health and diet data concerning over 25,000
adults revealed that those with the highest intake of flavanols—compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as wine, tea, and chocolate, that have antioxidant properties—had a blood pressure reading 2 to 4 mmHg lower than those who consumed the lowest amount of flavanols.                         Scientific Reports, October 2020

Exercise: Exercising One Arm Can Benefit the Other. New research suggests that if an arm becomes immobilized due to injury, it can lose up to 28% of its muscle mass within four weeks. However, a recent experiment found that performing eccentric exercises with the opposite arm could significantly reduce muscle loss in the affected extremity.            Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Sports Science, September 2020

Chiropractic: Spinal Pain in High School Students. Examinations of 273 teenagers revealed that about one in six
(16.12%) had spinal pain. Further analysis showed the following characteristics are associated with an elevated risk for spinal pain in teens: physical inactivity, obesity, central adiposity, and misalignment of the lumbar spine. Doctors of chiropractic often approach spinal pain in adolescents with a combination of manual therapies, specific exercises, and healthy lifestyle advice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, October 2020

Mental Attitude: Healthcare Usage in Early Infancy May Signal Autism, ADHD Risk. A review of the electronic health records of nearly 30,000 children revealed an association between an increased frequency of doctor and hospital visits during the first year of life and a later diagnosis of either autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lead author Dr. Matthew Engelhard adds, “This study provides evidence that children who develop autism and ADHD are on a different path from the beginning… We have known that children with these diagnoses have more interactions with the healthcare system after they’ve been diagnosed, but this
indicates that distinctive patterns of utilization begin early in these children’s lives. This could provide an opportunity to intervene sooner.” Scientific Reports, October 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Screenings May Encourage a Healthier Lifestyle. An analysis of data from five published studies revealed that individuals are more receptive to lifestyle interventions on the importance of a
healthy diet and exercise following a colorectal and breast cancer screening.
Cancer Causes & Control, November 2020

Quote: “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” ~ Will Rogers

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Health Alert: Heated Tobacco May Pose Threat to Heart Health. Tobacco products that heat but do not burn
tobacco to release a tobacco-flavored vapor that contains nicotine are marketed as a substitute for e-cigarettes or
traditional cigarettes. An analysis of nearly 50 human and rodent studies showed that such inhalants were associated
with high blood pressure, reduced dilation of blood vessels, stiffening of arteries, increased heart rate, and reduced
heart function.                                                                         American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, October 2020

Diet: Vitamin D May Delay Frailty? Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness, physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss. Past research has shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk for frailty among older adults. In a recent study, researchers observed that mice given a supplement to achieve and maintain vitamin D levels at the higher end of the healthy range were significantly less likely to become frail than those with low vitamin D status. Nutrients, October 2020
Exercise: Physical Activity Is Important for Kids’ Bone Development. An examination of 804 preteens found
that engaging in 1.5 hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day is important for healthy bone development. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, July 2020

Chiropractic: Myofascial Release for Neck Pain. Tightness of the suboccipital muscles at the back of the skull is
often experienced by patients with chronic neck pain. A study that included 58 chronic neck pain patients found that
myofascial release therapy, a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic, applied to the suboccipital muscles is effective for reducing neck pain intensity and improving cervical mobility.                                                                                          Spine, November 2020

Mental Attitude: Mom’s Thyroid May Influence ADHD in Kids. An analysis of data concerning nearly 330,000
mother-child pairs revealed an association between low thyroid hormone levels during the first trimester of pregnancy and up to a 28% greater risk for a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in her child.       American Journal of Perinatology, October 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Helps Ease Effects of Trauma. The results from a recent animal study showed that
rats that increased sleep time following a traumatic experience were less likely to develop ongoing fear symptoms
than rats that either maintained their sleep schedule or slept less. Lead author Dr. William Vanderheyden concludes,
“Basically, our study has found that if you can improve sleep, you can improve function… This highlights that there
is a time-sensitive window when—if you intervene to improve sleep— you could potentially stave off the negative
effects of trauma.”                                                                      Scientific Reports, October 2020

Quote: “I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.”
~ Walter Cronkite

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Fewer People Are Having a Second Heart Attack. New research shows that a heart attack sufferer’s risk for a recurrent heart attack within the following year declined by approximately 20% between 2008 and 2017. Study author Dr. Sanne Peters notes, “Improvements in the emergency treatment of heart attacks and better treatment options for people who survive a heart attack may explain the overall decline.”
Circulation, September 2020

Diet: Is There a Way to Prevent Celiac Disease in Children? The results of the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) Study suggest that introducing gluten into a child’s diet at four months of age may mitigate their risk for celiac disease. Lead author Dr. Gideon Lack writes, “This is the first study that provides evidence that early introduction of significant amounts of wheat into a baby’s diet before six months of age may prevent the development of celiac disease. This strategy may also have implications for other autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes.”                                                                                         JAMA Pediatrics, September 2020

Exercise: Sports Good for the Brain. In a recent experiment, researchers observed that engaging in physical
activity resulted in improved performance on memory assessments.                                                                              Scientific Reports, September 2020

Chiropractic: TMD Linked to Migraine Risk. Researchers reviewed data on 514,866 participants from a national health screening cohort and identified an association between migraines and temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The finding adds to a growing body of research suggesting that musculoskeletal disorders may be either a cause or contributing factor for migraines and addressing such issues—with chiropractic care, for example—may be necessary to achieve a successful treatment outcome. Diagnostics, September 2020
Mental Attitude: Low Vitamin D Status and Delirium. Delirium, or sudden onset of severe confusion, is common among older adults following hospitalization. A study involving 351,320 seniors identified an association between vitamin D deficiency and at least one episode of delirium over the following 14 years. The researchers conclude, “Because low vitamin D levels are simple to detect and inexpensive and safe to correct, an intervention trial to confirm these results is urgently needed.”
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, October 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Belly Fat Poses a Health Danger. A review of 72 studies that included more than 2.5 million patients from around the world found that for every four inches (about ten centimeters) of additional waist circumference, an individual’s risk for early death rose by 11%.                                BMJ, September 2020

Quote: “Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” ~ Ray Kroc

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna