Mental Attitude: Early to Bed Leads to Fewer Negative Thoughts. A study that included 100 college students found that those who went to bed later and slept fewer hours experienced more repetitive negative thoughts during the day than those who went to bed earlier and slept longer. Study author Dr. Jacob Nota adds, “Making sure that sleep is obtained during the right time of day may be an inexpensive and easily disseminable intervention for individuals who are bothered by intrusive thoughts.” Cognitive Therapy and Research, December 2014
Health Alert: Internet Addiction is a Worldwide Problem. An analysis of 31 nations found the overall global prevalence of Internet addiction is around 6%. Internet addiction is the inability to inhibit Internet use, which can adversely affect a person’s life, including their health and relationships. Investigators noted that Internet addiction varies among regions around the world from about 1 in 38 people in Northern and Western Europe to about 1 in 10 people in the Middle East. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, December 2014
Diet: Kids Get Too Much Caffeine from Energy Drinks. A new Danish study claims that 20% of children between the ages of ten and fourteen who regularly consume energy drinks ingest too much caffeine based on the caffeine content of the energy drinks alone. Furthermore, when caffeine intake from other sources such as soda and chocolate is included, fifty percent of these children and over 30% of high school-age children consume too much caffeine. Senior researcher Dr. Jeppe Matthiessen claims, “Both the use of and attitudes towards energy drinks give us reason to be concerned that the intake will increase in the coming years and we therefore suggest that more information will be made available about energy drinks aimed at children and adolescents as well as their parents.” National Food Institute, December 2014
Exercise: HIIT Is Good For Hypertension Patients! Patients with high blood pressure who participated in a 16-week high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) program experienced greater improvements in both their blood pressure and overall quality of life when compared with hypertension patients who participated in a 16-week moderate-intensity continuous exercise routine. HIIT is an exercise strategy consisting of low-to-moderate intensity intervals alternated with high-intensity intervals. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, January 2015
Chiropractic: Helps with Recurrent Ankle Sprains! While many associate chiropractic care with back and neck pain, manipulative therapy provided by doctors of chiropractic can also help patients with recurrent ankle sprains. In a study of 33 patients with recurrent ankle sprain with functional instability (RASFI), those who received rehabilitation in addition to six treatments of manipulative therapy reported improved joint motion as well as significant reductions in pain when compared with those who received rehabilitation alone.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Proper Screening for Hearing Loss. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association suggests that adults undergo a hearing test every 10 years until age 50, after which they should undergo screenings every three years. Individuals who fail a hearing test should see an audiologist for a complete hearing evaluation.
American Speech-Language Hearing Association, December 2014
Quote: “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.” ~ Isaac Asimov

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Parental Suicide Attempts Raise Risk of Their Children Doing the Same. According to the findings of a new study, when a parent has a history of attempting suicide, the odds that their child will attempt suicide increase five-fold when compared with the children of individuals who have not attempted suicide. Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, the president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation adds, “For parents who have a history of depression, bipolar disorder, and/or suicide attempts, they should be aware of the potential risk for their children and be proactive in having an evaluation if the child is experiencing depression or other psychiatric symptoms.” JAMA Psychiatry, December 2014
Health Alert: Hospital Infection Rates Falling. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the rates of many types of hospital-acquired infections are on the decline. The researchers found a 46% decline in “central line-associated” bloodstream infections, a 19% decrease in surgical site infections, an 8% drop in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, and a 10% fall in C. difficile infections during the previous five years. Despite the findings, the CDC states that more work is needed to protect patients. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden writes, “[The] key is for every hospital to have rigorous infection-control programs to protect patients and health care workers, and for health care facilities and others to work together to reduce the many types of infections that haven’t decreased enough.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2015
Diet: Recess May Promote Healthy Eating in Schools. Schools may want to consider adding a recess before lunch to help improve students eating habits. Investigators found that students ate 54% more fruit and vegetable servings when recess was held before lunchtime than after lunchtime. The research team also noted a 45% increase in the number of students who ate at least one serving of fruit and vegetables. They conclude, “Increased fruit and vegetable consumption in young children can have positive long-term health effects. Additionally, decreasing waste of fruits and vegetables is important for schools and districts that are faced with high costs of offering healthier food choices.” Preventive Medicine, January 2015
Exercise: Exercise Helps Reduce Risk of Falls for Some Parkinson’s Patients. A new clinical trial has found that home-based exercises focused on balance and leg strengthening may help individuals with milder Parkinson’s disease symptoms reduce their risk of falling down by as much as 70%. More research is needed to determine whether a program with closer supervision can help prevent falls in individuals with more advanced Parkinson’s cases. Neurology, December 2014
Chiropractic: For Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis… Patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) may want to consider a course of chiropractic care. In a small-scale study including 83 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who received chiropractic care reported statistically significant improvements on surveys used to measure pain, stiffness, and physical function. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Snoring. The National Sleep Foundation offers the following suggestions that may help prevent snoring: lose excess weight, have a regular sleep schedule, sleep on your side, do not eat for at least three hours before bed, do not drink alcohol for at least four hours before bed, and avoid medications such as antihistamines, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. The National Sleep Foundation, December 2014
Quote: “We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.” ~ Tobias Wolff

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Having a Dog Helps Autistic Children Develop Stronger Social Skills. A survey of 70 families with at least one autistic child found that autistic children who lived with at least one dog had stronger social skills than autistic children who lived in dog-free homes. Social skills are typically difficult for kids with autism to develop, but the study showed those children who owned a dog were “more likely to engage in behaviors such as introducing themselves, asking for information or responding to other people’s questions.”
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, October 2014
Health Alert: E-Cigarettes May Lead to More Respiratory Infections. According to new laboratory findings, vapor from electronic cigarettes may increase young individuals’ risk for contracting respiratory infections due to the vapor impairing the immune response in the epithelial cells that line the inside of the lungs. Lead author Dr. Qun Wu writes, “Epithelial cells are the first line of defense in our airways. They protect our bodies from anything dangerous we might inhale. Even without nicotine, this liquid can hurt your epithelial defense system and you will be more likely to get sick.” Recently the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued a joint recommendation to bring e-cigarette regulations in line with those of traditional cigarettes. PLOS ONE, January 2015
Diet: Binge Drinking Affects the Immune System. Binge drinking can significantly disrupt the immune systems of young and otherwise healthy adults. In a recent study. investigators measured the immune responses of participants before they consumed any alcohol and at both two and five hours following peak intoxication. When alcohol was present in the blood samples, the researchers detected higher levels of cytokines, the proteins that signal the immune system to reduce activity. While drinkers understand how binge drinking can alter their behavior, there is less understanding of alcohol’s harmful effects in other areas, such as the immune system. Alcohol, December 2014
Exercise: Avoid Cold Weather Injuries. Even when the weather gets cooler, it is important to stay physically active. However, exercising outside in cold weather can lead to possible injuries. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends the following to prevent injuries associated with low temperatures: dress in layers, take breaks to warm up, eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol. National Athletic Trainers’ Association, December 2014
Chiropractic: Anxiety and Back Pain. Brazilian researchers claim there is a link between anxiety and back pain among individuals under the age of forty. While this does not prove cause and effect in either direction, previous research has shown that anxiety can increase muscle tension, affect posture, and increase sedentary behavior – all factors that could increase a person’s risk for back pain. Spine, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Vertebral Fragility Fractures. Blood samples from seniors who fractured one or more vertebrae as a result of a fall showed significantly lower vitamin D levels when compared with seniors who had not experienced such an injury. This suggest that older adults who are vitamin D deficient should take measures to improve their vitamin D levels because serious injuries related to falls can significantly impact both their independence and quality of life. The Bone & Joint Journal, January 2015
Quote: “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” ~ John F. Kennedy

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Learning to Play Music Improves Kids’ Brains. MRI scans of children who received musical training showed greater thickness in the areas of the brain that influence working memory, self-control, organization, and planning for the future. The research team claims their findings “underscore the vital importance of finding new and innovative ways to make music training more widely available to youths, beginning in childhood.”
Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, December 2014
Health Alert: Cancer Death Rates in the US Continue to Drop. Death rates from cancer in the United States (US) continue to fall (down 22% since a peak in 1991), according to the annual report from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS argues that continuing the fight against cancer across all segments of the population could lead to even greater reduction in cancer related deaths. Dr. John R. Seffrin, the CEO of ACS adds, “The change may be inevitable, but we can still lessen cancer’s deadly impact by making sure as many Americans as possible have access to the best tools to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.” American Cancer Society, January 2015
Diet: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies! A 24-year study including 9,112 Japanese men and women found that those who ate the most servings of fruits and vegetables each day had a 24% lower risk for total cardiovascular disease, a 20% lower risk for stroke, and a 43% lower risk for coronary heart disease when compared with their peers who ate the fewest daily servings of fruits and vegetables. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2015
Exercise: Daily Physical Activity Helps Maintain Vascular Health. Researchers have found that reducing daily physical activity for even a few days can lead to decreased function in the inner lining of blood vessels in the legs of healthy, young individuals. However, their work demonstrates that it’s possible to start the repair process by walking at least 10,000 steps a day. Study co-author Dr. Paul Fadel adds, “The best treatment is to become more active, and our research lends proof to that concept. If you do not realize how harmful sitting around all day and not doing any activity is to your health, this proves it.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, December 2014
Chiropractic: Lumbar Manipulation & Exercise for Knee Pain? A new case study supports the use of lumbar spinal manipulation for anterior knee pain and quadriceps weakness. A 20-year-old man who underwent ACL reconstruction of the left knee with continued knee pain and quadriceps weakness presented for chiropractic care. He was prescribed exercises to improve his quadriceps strength and received side-lying rotational spinal manipulation. After a course of eight weekly treatments, he returned to pain-free participation in recreational sports.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, December 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Water Coolers at School Encourage Students to Drink More. When water dispensers were installed in a few New York City schools, students drank three times more water at lunchtime than students at schools that did not install water coolers in their lunch rooms. Researchers found that 80% of students noticed the water dispensers, two-thirds of those who noticed them actually used them, and 50% who noticed the coolers actually drank more water at lunchtime. Officials plan to install water dispensers in over 1,000 New York City public schools.
American Journal of Public Health, December 2014
Quote: “It is better to be alone than in bad company.” ~ George Washington

When it comes to deciding which are the best chiropractors many factors must be considered.
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.