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

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

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

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

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Health Alert: Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Impairment. Cognitive assessments completed by 218 individuals—roughly half with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea—revealed an association between more severe sleep apnea symptoms and worse cognitive function.
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, October 2020

Diet: Sugar Consumption While Breastfeeding May Affect Cognitive Development of Child. New research
that looked at data concerning 88 mother-child pairs revealed that a high maternal intake of sugary beverages during the first month of breastfeeding was associated with poorer cognitive development in her offspring at age two. Researcher Dr. Michael I. Goran writes, “Breastfeeding can have so many benefits… but we’re seeing that breast milk is influenced by what moms eat and drink even more than we realized.”
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2020

Exercise: Early Sports Helps Girls Reduce ADHD Symptoms Later. A study that included nearly 1,500 children revealed that girls who consistently participated in organized sports were less likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) symptoms than their peers. No such link was noted in boys.                                                                     Preventative Medicine, October 2020

Chiropractic: Daily Musculoskeletal Pain Common Among Seniors. Questionnaires completed by 14,155
older men and women revealed that about half experience moderate-to-intense musculoskeletal pain on most days, often in the lower back, knees, and upper back. Nearly a third reported that their pain regularly interfered with their sleep, walking, and daily activities.                                                    Journal of Aging and Health, September 2020

Mental Attitude: Money Worries Increase Risk of Suicide Among Those with ADHD. According to a new
study, adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop financial difficulties, which places them at an elevated risk for suicide. Study co-author Dr. Theodore Beauchine notes, “The impulsivity found in ADHD is predisposing to suicide. And if you have a lifetime of financial problems that can lead to a sense of hopelessness… Hopelessness combined with impulsivity is a really bad combination and may increase the risk of suicide.”             Science Advances, September 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Strict Rules About Tobacco Products Reduces Teens Likelihood to Use Them. A
study that included over 23,000 teenagers revealed that adolescents are up to 26% less likely to use tobacco products when parents had set strict rules on the matter.                    Pediatrics, October 2020

Quote: “The groundwork of all happiness is health.” ~ Leigh Hunt

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Glass-Topped Tables Pose Risks. Between 2009 and 2015, more than 3,200 individuals required trauma care for injuries associated with glass-topped tables, with the majority involving young adults and children under the age of seven. Experts note that at least half of these injuries were linked to faulty design or construction, suggesting that improved safety standards could substantially reduce the risk
of injury associated with glass-topped tables.                  American Journal of Surgery, September 2020

Diet: Can a Healthy Diet Reduce Heart Risks in Obese Adults? New research that looked at long-term health and dietary data concerning over 79,000 adults found that adopting a Mediterranean-style diet can mitigate some, but not all, of the cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.
PLOS Medicine, September 2020

Exercise: Exercise Can Help Diabetics Live Longer. A survey of 4,859 adults found that diabetics who met exercise guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week had a 32% lower risk for early death than those classified as physically inactive.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes, September 2020

Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation for Lumbar Radiculopathy? For patients with subacute or chronic
lumbar radiculopathy, spinal manipulative therapy—a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—may be an effective intervention for improving back and leg pain, perceived disability, spinal range of motion, and performance on the straight leg raise test (a common diagnostic for radiculopathy).
American Journal of Medicine, September 2020

Mental Attitude: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Has Mental Impact on Children. Using data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study, researchers estimate that in utero exposure to cannabis is associated with an elevated childhood risk for depression, anxiety, impulsivity, social problems, and lower cognitive performance.                          JAMA Psychiatry, September 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Rest or Massage Helps Reduce Stress. According to a recent study, ten minutes of either rest or massage are effective at psychological and physiological stress. Lead study author Dr. Maria Meier writes, “We are very encouraged by the findings that short periods of dis-engagement are enough to relax not just the mind but also the body.” Scientific Reports, September 2020

Quote: “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
~ Bill Keane

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Many Women Are Unaware of Heart Attack Risk. The American Heart Association reports that, between 2009 and 2017, the percentage of women who knew that heart disease was the top killer of women fell from 65% to 44%.                                                                                       Circulation, September 2020

Diet: Vitamin E May Be Vital for Nervous System Development. The result of a recent animal study showed that the offspring of zebra fish with vitamin E deficiency exhibited malformed brains and nervous systems. Researcher Dr. Maret Traber writes, “This is totally amazing—the brain is absolutely physically distorted by not having enough vitamin E.”    Scientific Reports, September 2020

Exercise: HIIT Is a Good Idea for Type 2 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 showed that type 2 diabetics who participated in an eight-week HIIT program that included cycling and rowing experienced significant improvements in insulin sensitivity, aerobic fitness, and body composition.
Diabetologia, September 2020

Chiropractic: Thoracic Mobilization for Shoulder Pain? For patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, a recent study showed that the combination of specific exercises and joint mobilizations targeting the mid-back resulted in greater improvements in thoracic kyphosis, upper trapezius muscle tone, and shoulder range of motion than either treatment alone. The finding suggests that dysfunction in the thoracic spine may play a role in subacromial impingement syndrome, and such issues may need to be addressed to achieve a satisfactory treatment outcome.                                                                 Healthcare, September 2020

Mental Attitude: Just the Right Amount of Sleep is Vital for Brain Health. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, researchers report that sleeping fewer than four hours or more than ten hours a night is associated with a faster progression of cognitive decline over time than sleeping seven hours a night.
JAMA Network Open, September 2020

Wellness/Prevention: The High Cost of Smoking. The current research suggests that individuals who are smokers at age 45 can expect to live about five fewer years than their nonsmoker peers.
Urology of Virginia, September 2020

Quote: “Don’t hold on to the past; it won’t help in moving forward. Dare to dream big.” ~ Rajeev Suri

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Fatty Liver a Common Issue with Type 1 Diabetics. A review of data from 20 published studies showed that approximately 20% of adult type 1 diabetics will develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—a condition that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption.                                                                Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, December 2020

Diet: Whole Grains May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk. Using data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, researchers estimate that a diet rich in whole grains may reduce an individual’s risk for colorectal cancer by up to 16%.  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2020

Exercise: Fitness May Reduce Risk for Hospital Readmission. According to a study that looked at the health history of 580 hospitalized diabetic patients, those who lived a sedentary lifestyle were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within one month, six months, and one year than physically active patients.
BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, October 2020

Chiropractic: Manual Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritic Knee Pain. Among a group of 46 rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee pain, those treated with ten sessions of manual therapy (joint mobilization and post isometric relaxation) experienced a greater reduction in knee pain than participants who received a standard exercise intervention. The research team recommends further studies to determine the role of manual therapy techniques, such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Evidence Based Complimentary Alternative Medicine, August 2020

Mental Attitude: Declining Physical and Mental Health Increases Fall Risk. Seniors with co-occurring physical frailty and cognitive impairment are 3.5 times more likely to experience two or more falls over a three-year period than their more physically and mentally robust peers.
European Journal of Neurology, October 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Early Bedtime Best for Diabetics? Questionnaires completed by 635 type 2 diabetics revealed that those who went to bed late and woke up later in the morning were more likely to have an excessively sedentary lifestyle, which places them at an elevated risk for several poor health outcomes.                                                                              BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, July 2020

Quote: “Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”
~ William Penn

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Hypertension Common in Midlife. Among a group of 2,930 middle-aged adults participating in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Disparities in Stroke study, researchers observed that 42% developed hypertension over a nine-year period. However, they found each of the following health indicators/behaviors could reduce one’s risk for high blood pressure by up to 6%: healthy weight and diet, regular exercise, and normal blood glucose and cholesterol readings. Journal of the American Heart Association, September 2020

Diet: Omega-3s May Help Fight Depression in Soon-To-Be and New Moms. An analysis of data from 18 randomized controlled studies found evidence that consuming an omega-3 fatty acid supplement may aid in the treatment or prevention of perinatal depression.                                                                 Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, September 2020

Exercise: Physical Activity at Work Important to Health. According to a recent study that assessed the fitness and physical health of young adults, those who primarily worked at a desk were more likely to have poor fitness, a large waist circumference, and an increased risk for obesity. On the other hand, participants in the construction industry exhibited superior back flexibility, trunk lifting scores, and aerobic capacity. The findings suggest that workplace interventions to increase physical activity in the office environment could lead to
improvements with respect to both fitness and physical health among those who spend their day at a computer workstation. International Journal of Forensic Engineering and Management, January 2020

Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation Improves Soccer Kicking Strength. In a recent experiment involving former varsity levels soccer players, researchers observed a significant increase in ball velocity and peak activation of the knee extensor muscles among participants after a single application of spinal manipulative therapy.                                                               Journal of Strength Conditioning Research, August 2020

Mental Attitude: PTSD May Increase Dementia Risk. Following a review of findings from eight studies that included long-term data concerning nearly 1.7 million adults, researchers report that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the risk for dementia by 55%.                                                    British Journal of Psychiatry, September 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Quit Smoking for a Healthier Gut. During the last decade, several studies have demonstrated that a healthier gut microbiome is associated with a reduced risk for a variety of poor health outcomes. In a study that included 36 smokers who participated in a twelve-week smoking cessation program, researchers observed that abstaining from cigarettes led to positive changes in the population of bacteria in the gut, which may result in a host of secondary health benefits for those who quit smoking.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, September 2020

Quote: “No one is ever ordinary.” ~ Tanith Lee

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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

Health Alert: Diabetes Increases Fall Risk. An analysis of data from the Danish National Patient Register revealed that seniors with a history of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes had both a higher fall risk and an increased risk for serious injury in the event of a fall.                                                                              Current Drug Safety, September 2020

Diet: Benefits of Fiber. Not only does dietary fiber increase satiety and slow the absorption of nutrients into the body, but it also nurtures bacteria in the digestive tract that release short-chain fatty acids associated with a reduced risk for inflammatory diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, September 2020

Exercise: Weight Gain May Hinder Grades. Researchers monitored the health and academic performance of 1,802 students for two school years and observed that those with a normal weight at baseline who became overweight by the conclusion of the study were more likely to experience a decline in their grades than participants who maintained a healthy weight.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, September 2020

Chiropractic: Frailty Linked to Back Pain. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness, physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss. A study that included 602 seniors with low back pain found that those classified as frail (19.5%) or at risk for frailty (59.2%) had significantly higher pain and disability scores than physically robust participants, which only accounted for 21.3% of participants.                                                                        Canadian Journal on Aging, August 2020

Mental Attitude: Can ADHD Predict Adult Car Crash Risk? In the study, researchers analyzed data on 642 young adults and found that those who had been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as children were 45% more likely to have been involved in automobile collision than those participant without a history of ADHD.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, August 2020

Wellness/Prevention: Honey Can Soothe a Cough. A review of data from fourteen clinical trials found that consuming honey may be more effective at combatting coughing spells than over-the-counter cough syrups in adults and children over the age of one. Lead review author Dr. Hibatullah Abuelgasim notes that given the mostly benign nature of honey, “it’s reasonable to try it—especially if it replaces potentially harmful alternatives.”                                                            Evidence-Based Medicine, August 2020

Quote: “Risk will always be a part of life. It’s how we recognize this and deal with it that matters.”
~ Thomas H. Cook

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: E-Scooters Injuries Increasing Significantly. According to a new study, emergency room visits for injuries associated with electronic scooter, or e-scooter, use doubled between 2018 and 2019. Study coauthor Dr. Eric Wagner writes, “These injuries are increasing and they aren’t benign. Many of them are fractures, many of them are head injuries, and some of the head injuries require hospital admission, which means that they’re very severe.” The findings suggest that increased regulations and safety education are needed to protect e-scooter riders in light of their growing popularity in metropolitan areas.
JAMA Network Open, August 2020

Diet: Vitamin C Important for Muscles. Using data from the EPIC Norfolk Study concerning more than 13,000 older adults, researchers report that participants with a higher intake of vitamin C were better able to retain their skeletal muscle mass as they aged than those with a diet featuring fewer vitamin C-rich foods.
Journal of Nutrition, August 2020

Exercise: Fitness Trackers May Promote Exercise Among MS Patients. New research suggests that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who use a fitness tracker are more likely to have relapsing-remitting MS, less disability, higher income, and higher rates of employment than those who do not use fitness trackers.
Disability & Health Journal, July 2020

Chiropractic: Extremity Manipulation Reduces Postural Sway. In a study that included adults between 21
and 40 years of age, researchers found that the application of manipulative therapy, a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic, to the upper and lower extremities resulted in a reduction in postural sway. Because postural sway may suggest impaired balance and an increased risk for falls, the research team recommends replicating the study with older men and women.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, August 2020

Mental Attitude: Another Reason Not to Smoke During Pregnancy. A review of data from ten studies found that maternal prenatal tobacco use may increase the risk for bipolar and depressive disorders in their offspring by up to 44%. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, September 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Supplement May Benefit Some Pregnancies. For expectant mothers with low vitamin D status, a recent literature review suggests that taking a 600 IU/day vitamin D3 supplement may improve fetal development and reduce the risk for small-for-gestational-age, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes.                               Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology, October 2020

Quote: “The life given us, by nature is short; but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal.” ~ Cicero

Your Napa Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna