Mental Attitude: Anger and Anxiety Increase Heart Attack Risk. An analysis of more than 300 heart attack patients indicates that intense anger or anxiety dramatically increases an individual’s risk for a myocardial infarction in the hours immediately following such an occurrence. More specifically, in the 120 minutes following a bout of intense anger, a person’s risk for a heart attack increases by 8.5 times and an extreme anxiety episode elevates the risk by 9.5 times! Senior researcher Dr. Thomas Buckley writes, “While the absolute risk of any one anger episode triggering a heart attack is low, our data demonstrates that the danger is real and still there.” He further comments that the increased risk of heart attack after intense anger or anxiety is “most likely the result of increased heart rate and blood pressure, tightening of blood vessels, and increased clotting, all associated with triggering of heart attacks.”
European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, February 2015
Health Alert: Bleeding Risk for Recent Heart Attack Patients Who Take NSAIDs. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that taking ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) elevates the risk of bleeding in heart attack survivors on anti-clotting medications. The authors note that these risks are of considerable public health concern due to the widespread use of NSAIDs and conclude that “[more] research is needed to confirm these findings; however, physicians should exercise appropriate caution when prescribing NSAIDs for patients who have recently experienced [a myocardial infarction].” JAMA, February 2015
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Damage After Heart Attack. High doses of omega-3 fatty acids may protect the heart against further damage following a myocardial infraction. In a recent study that included 374 heart attack survivors, those who took a daily 4g dose of omega-3 fatty acids in addition to standard treatment had lower resulting levels of inflammation and were 39% less likely to show deterioration of heart function than those who received standard care with a placebo. Senior study author Dr. Raymond Kwong writes, “This is important because other anti-inflammatory agents, including steroids and NSAIDs, have failed to make a difference after [heart attack].” American College of Cardiology, March 2015
Exercise: Working Out Before Bed Doesn’t Hinder Sleep. While some fear that working out late in the evening can interfere with sleep, a study comparing the effects of working out at 5 PM and 9 PM showed no reductions in sleep quality when compared with measurements taken on nights when participants did not exercise at all.
The Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, March 2015
Chiropractic: Resolution of Facial Neuralgia Following Chiropractic Care. After failing to respond to medical care for diagnosed trigeminal neuralgia, the mother of a 10-year-old boy brought her child to a chiropractor as a treatment of last resort. The boy’s presenting symptoms included headaches, earaches, neck pain, and extreme facial pain. After seven months of chiropractic care that focused on the upper cervical spine, the patient reported complete resolution of his main complaint. The findings suggests that chiropractic treatment to the cervical spine may benefit patients with facial neuralgias.
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Most Smokers Will Die Early if They Don’t Quit. If you want to live longer, you should quit smoking now. A new study that followed over 200,000 men and women found that two-thirds of smokers died an average of ten years sooner than their peers who were non-smokers. Study director Dr. Emily Banks comments, “We knew smoking was bad, but we now have direct independent evidence that confirms the disturbing findings that have been emerging internationally.” BMC Medicine, February 2015
Quote: “Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize.” ~ Bill Walsh

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Mental Attitude: Are Men the More Narcissistic Gender? Based on information collected over 30 years from more than 475,000 people, researchers from the University of Buffalo School of Management claim they can explain why some females fail to break the corporate glass ceiling: women just aren’t narcissistic enough. The results of the study showed that men scored consistently higher than women in narcissism, regardless of age. Study author Dr. Emily Grijalva explains, “Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior, and aggression. At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability, and the tendency to emerge as a leader. By examining gender differences in narcissism, we may be able to explain gender disparities in these important outcomes.”
Psychological Bulletin, March 2015
Health Alert: Statins Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may significantly increase a user’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors of a new study found that statins increase insulin resistance and also appear to impair the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin. They also found that the risk of developing diabetes increased with higher statin doses. Diabetolgia, March 2015
Diet: Fried Food Intake Associated with Heart Failure Risk. Men who consume fried food one to three times a week have an 18% increased risk of developing heart failure compared with those who do not eat fried food. The risk rises to 25% for those who consume fried food four to six times a week, and 68% for those who eat fried food seven or more times per week. Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University comments, “The bottom line is, eating fried foods once in a while is fine but not on a daily or even a weekly basis.” American Heart Association, March 2015
Exercise: Type 2 Diabetics Should Exercise After Dinner. Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by exercising after eating supper. Participants in the study performed resistance exercises such as leg curls, calf raises, and abdominal crunches either before dinner, after dinner, or not at all. Compared with blood sugar tests conducted on non-exercise days, the researchers found that exercising either before or after dinner led to reductions in blood glucose levels. However, only exercise conducted after dinner was associated with reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Researcher Dr. Jill Kanaley explains, “This study shows that it is not just the intensity or duration of exercising that is important but also the timing of when it occurs… Results from this study show that resistance exercise has its most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels in one’s blood when performed after dinner.” Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2014
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Reduce Foot Pain. A new study that combined treatment involving ischemic compression of trigger points and joint mobilization for chronic foot pain resulted in significant improvements in function and self-perceived improvements in pain up to six months post treatment. Further research on this approach of treatment is needed, but these findings are supportive of commonly used chiropractic care to treat foot disorders.
The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Are 80% of Strokes Preventable? According to an article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, four out of every five strokes could be prevented if individuals took measures to avoid cigarette smoke, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis, and better control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, among other strategies.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, March 2015
Quote: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” ~ George Lucas

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Mental Attitude: Anxious People Make Poor Decisions in the Midst of Uncertainty. University of Oxford researchers have found that individuals who are prone to high anxiety have a more difficult time reading the environmental cues that may help them avoid a bad outcome. Participants played a computerized “two-armed bandit-style” game in which they chose between two shapes, one of which, if selected, would deliver a mild to moderate electrical shock. To avoid getting shocked, participants needed to keep track of the shape that most frequently delivered electrical jolts. The researchers noted that highly anxious people had more trouble than their less anxious counterparts adjusting to avoid shocks. Study lead author Dr. Sonia Bishop writes, “Our results show that anxiety may be linked to difficulty in using information about whether the situations we face daily, including relationship dynamics, are stable or not, and deciding how to react.” Nature Neuroscience, March 2015
Health Alert: 20% of Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating. In the past year, it’s estimated that one in five girls and one in ten boys fell victim to either dating-related physical or sexual abuse. The researchers find these numbers to be both high and very troubling and add that these victims also have a higher risk for suicidal behavior, bullying, risky sexual behavior, and substance use. Lead author Dr. Kevin Vagi adds, “Parents and caregivers can help shape the relationship decisions that teens make by talking early about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the need for respect.” JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Diet: Can Eating Nuts Extend Your Life? Three large prospective studies have discovered that a diet high in nuts is linked to greater longevity. Researchers found that those who ate the most nuts were 17-21% less likely to die during the 5-12 years they followed-up with study participants. They add, “We found consistent evidence that high nut/peanut consumption was associated with a reduced risk of total mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.” JAMA Internal Medicine, March 2015
Exercise: Are High-Intensity Workouts Better for Obese Adults? Research involving 300 abdominally obese adults investigated the effects of short, high-intensity exercise versus long, low-intensity workouts. Both types of workouts resulted in similar weight loss after 24 weeks, but the high-intensity group also experienced a reduction in blood glucose levels in the hours following their workout. The results show a clear benefit for engaging in high-intensity workouts, especially for those who wish to more effectively manage their blood sugar levels. Lead study author Dr. Robert Ross explains, “Higher intensity can be achieved simply by increasing the incline while walking on a treadmill or walking at a brisker pace.” Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2015
Chiropractic: Dizzy? Chiropractic May Help. Dizziness is a common risk factor for falls among the elderly. After reviewing past literature, studies, and clinical trials, the authors of a new report conclude that chiropractic manipulation may have a role in the prevention of falls in elderly who suffer from mechanical pain or dysfunction and non-specific dizziness.
Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Size Checks Among Children May Spot Celiac Disease. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland believe that checking children for growth problems may help indentify those with celiac disease much faster. They found that screening children for five height- and weight-related differences in growth is an effective strategy for spotting those with celiac disease, as girls in the study with the disorder were below-average in height two years before their diagnosis and the boys in the study were below-average in height just one year before diagnosis. The research team writes, “Growth failure remains an early and common feature in patients with celiac disease and an up-to-date growth reference and well-established growth-monitoring program could facilitate the early diagnosis of celiac disease.” JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Quote: “It’s so freeing, it’s beautiful in a way, to have a great failure, there’s nowhere to go but up.” ~ David Lynch

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Mental Attitude: 7% of Children Worldwide Have ADHD. Data from 175 published studies conducted over four decades indicates that about 7% of kids worldwide have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD tend to be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive and this disorder can cause them to struggle both academically and socially. These findings may help health officials determine if ADHD is over or under diagnosed in their country, state, or community. Pediatrics, April 2015
Health Alert: Acetaminophen Risks May Be Underestimated. A new study suggests that the risks of using acetaminophen may be underestimated by doctors. A systematic review of eight studies investigated the association between acetaminophen use and adverse health effects. One study found an increased rate of mortality among individuals who had been prescribed acetaminophen compared with those who had not. Four of the studies found an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular and renal events linked to acetaminophen use, and one study found a link to gastrointestinal events. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, March 2015
Diet: Eat Peanuts Early in Childhood to Avoid Allergy? For years, parents have been advised to avoid giving foods that contain peanuts to their babies as it may trigger an allergy. Now, a new groundbreaking study suggests that the opposite is true. Researchers claim that feeding babies food containing peanuts before their first birthday may actually prevent the onset of peanut allergies. They found that around 3% of children who ate peanut butter or peanut snacks before their first birthday developed an allergy, compared with 17% of children who didn’t eat such foods during infancy. New England Journal of Medicine, February 2015
Exercise: Kids More Likely to Exercise When Friends Do. Friends appear to play a significant role in youngsters’ levels of physical activity. In a new study, over one-hundred children and teens were asked to rank benefits and barriers to physical activity. The findings revealed that those who did physical activities with a friend were less likely to cite barriers to not exercising, while family participation or encouragement failed to have the same effect. Study author Dr. Jessica Graus Woo notes, “We speculate that the social network of friendships is increasingly important in influencing behaviors as children get older… Having physically active friends may make it easier for obese children to get involved with activities and lower the perceived barriers for doing so, while having a physically active family may not be as inspiring.” American Heart Association, March 2015
Chiropractic: Women Benefit from Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy. Chiropractors often provide treatment for women during pregnancy to ease pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain. A recent study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies followed 115 pregnant women who sough out chiropractic care and found that 52% reported significant improvements in their pain after just one week of treatment. After one month, the researchers note that more than 70% of the expectant mothers in the study achieved clinically significant improvements in pain based on outcome assessments.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Over a Billion Young Adults at Risk of Hearing Loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one-billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe levels of sound. The risk is primarily due to exposure to high levels of recreational noise from personal audio devices and loud entertainment venues. The WHO recommends restricting the use of personal audio devices to less than 60 minutes per day. Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO director for the Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence, and Injury Prevention writes, “[Adolescents and young adults] should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back. Taking simple preventive actions will allow people to continue to enjoy themselves without putting their hearing at risk.” World Health Organization, March 2015
Quote: “The best revenge is massive success.” ~ Frank Sinatra

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