Mental Attitude: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increases Dementia Risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 8,000-15,000 people per year in the United States are examined or treated in hospitals for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, commonly the result of faulty or ill-maintained gas burning appliance in the home. A new study indicates that patients treated for CO poisoning are 1.6 times more likely to develop dementia later in life, with an even greater risk for cases of more severe CO poisoning. Medicine, January 2016
Health Alert: High Blood Sugar Can Increase Heart Attack Complications. A new study suggests that high blood sugar can cause stronger contractions of blood vessels, increasing the risk of complications in heart attack patients. Researcher Dr. Richard Rainbow explains, “This is the first study to show direct evidence of blood vessel contraction to glucose, and the potential mechanism behind this contractile response. In the experimental models we used in this study, including human blood vessels, increasing glucose to the levels that could be reached after a large meal altered vascular contraction.” British Journal of Pharmacology, January 2016
Diet: New US Dietary Guidelines. The United States (US) government’s latest version of its Dietary Guidelines recommends that Americans cut back on added sugars, saturated fats, and salt if they want to improve their health. The new guidelines ask that people limit saturated fats to less than 10% of their daily calories and consume less than one tablespoon of salt per day. The guidelines go on to recommend a healthy eating pattern that fits into an individual’s lifestyle, rather than recommending specific amounts of different foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or meats. Elisabetta Politi, a nutrition director at the Duke University Diet & Fitness Center adds, “The 2015 dietary guidelines focus on healthy eating habits and less on including or eliminating individual nutrients… Americans should be shifting their diets to more plant-based foods like veggies and fruits such as the popular Mediterranean diet, which includes a lot of healthy fats and whole grains.” 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, January 2016
Exercise: Increases Survival Odds for Men with Prostate Cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 38 American men will die from prostate cancer. A new study that followed 830 prostate cancer patients for over 15 years found that those men who were physically active both pre- and post-diagnosis had a greater chance of surviving the disease than those who lived mostly sedentary lifestyles. The researchers note that patients who increased their physical activity levels after being diagnosed with prostate cancer significantly increased their long-term survival odds. European Urology, January 2016
Chiropractic: Pre-Pregnancy BMI Linked to Degenerative Musculoskeletal Conditions. A Danish study involving nearly 80,000 mothers found that have a high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) increases a woman’s long-term risk for developing degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. Other risk factors identified during the study include low and high gestational weight gain, higher postpartum weight retention, and the number of children a woman has delivered. The authors conclude that maintaining a healthy body weight pre-, during, and post-pregnancy may reduce a mother’s risk for developing degenerative musculoskeletal conditions later in life. Arthritis and Rheumatology, December 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Regular Mammograms Worthwhile for Elderly Women. Previous research has shown that mammography screening reduces breast cancer death in women up to age 74. Now, a new study indicates that regular mammograms also benefit elderly women. An analysis of Medicare data from 1995 to 2009 on about 65,000 women aged 75-84 years found that those who had annual mammograms were less likely to die from breast cancer over a ten-year period than those who had irregular or no mammograms. American Journal of Medicine, January 2016
Quote: “Learning from experience is a faculty almost never practiced.” ~ Barbara Tuchman

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

Mental Attitude: Is Early Menopause a Trigger for Depression Later in Life? A new review suggests that premature menopause may increase the risk of depression later in life. An analysis of 14 published studies that included nearly 68,000 older women revealed that women who began menopause when they were 40 and older had a lower risk of depression in their later years than those with a premature onset of menopause. JAMA Psychiatry, January 2016
Health Alert: Increased Body Mass Linked to Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease Patients. Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who are also overweight or obese may be at an elevated risk for autonomic dysfunction when compared with PD patients with a healthy bodyweight. The autonomic nervous system is the portion of the nervous system that controls basic bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing rate, digestion, and body temperature, among others.
Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, January 2016
Diet: Soda Tax Linked to Reduced Consumption. In 2014, the Mexican government introduced a 10% sales tax on the sale of sugary drinks, and after one year, sales of such beverages decreased 12% while untaxed beverages such as water experienced a 4% increase in sales. The American Heart Association writes, “Scientific research shows that overconsumption of added sugars contribute to heart disease and other chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Mexico has paved the way for other nations to decrease sugary drink intake and has shown sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are an effective strategy to make healthy choices easier.”
British Medical Journal, January 2016
Exercise: Exercise DVDs May Be Psychologically Harmful. Home fitness DVDs seem like a good way to reach exercise goals, but experts say these DVDs may also include negative imagery and demotivating language. The fitness DVD industry generates an estimated $250 million dollars in annual revenue, but there is no scientific evidence about their safety or effectiveness and the industry is largely unregulated. Investigators evaluated ten popular commercial exercise DVDs and found the imagery in the fitness videos perpetuates and reinforces hyper-sexualized and unrealistic body images. They also found that 25% of the language used by instructors was motivational, but one of every seven motivational statements could be considered negative. Dr. Brad Cardinal, a kinesiology professor at Oregon State University explains, “These findings raise concerns about the value of exercise DVDs in helping people develop and commit to a workout program… Buyers should beware when making these purchases… Remember that we all have different body shapes and styles, and our bodies may respond differently to the exercises being shown. Don’t expect to get the same results as what you see on the screen or compare yourself to others.” Oregon State University, January 2016
Chiropractic: Excessive Video Game and Computer Use May Increase Musculoskeletal Pain in Teens. Using data collected from nearly 1,000 male and female adolescents, a team of Brazilian researchers notes the average teen in their sample spends over five hours per day using a computer or electronic device or playing video games. Additionally, 65.1% of the 963 participants in the study reported the presence of musculoskeletal pain, most notably back pain, and one in five reported upper extremity pain. The research team concludes the excessive use of electronics appears to be a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain among this population.
Journal of Pediatrics, December 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Death Rates Improving. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that the rate of cancer-related deaths has dropped 23% since 1991. Experts from the ACS add that the decline in cancer deaths is likely due to early detection and treatment advances, along with fewer people smoking. Dr. Steven Rosen, director of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute in Duarte, California advises those wishing to reduce their risk of cancer-related death to “Eat a healthy diet, exercise, try to be as close as possible to your ideal body weight. Don’t smoke, drink in moderation, and minimize sun exposure.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, January 2016
Quote: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” ~ David Bowie

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

Mental Attitude: Is Self-Esteem Driven By Universal Mechanisms? According to a new international study, self-esteem increases as people grow older, and men tend to have higher levels of self-esteem than women. The findings were based on data collected from more than 985,000 people from 48 countries between 1999 and 2009. Lead author Dr. Wiebke Bleidorn writes, “This remarkable degree of similarity implies that gender and age differences in self-esteem are partly driven by universal mechanisms; these can either be universal biological mechanisms such as hormonal influences or universal cultural mechanisms such as universal gender roles. However, universal influences do not tell the whole story.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, January 2016
Health Alert: Hyperactivity Increases Risk for Traumatic Dental Injury. Children with hyperactivity symptoms are more likely to sustain a traumatic dental injury (TDI). Researchers reviewed the medical records of 230 school children and found those whose parents reported signs of hyperactivity were 2.33 times more likely to experience a TDI than those without parental-reported hyperactivity symptoms. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, January 2016
Diet: Eating Fruit and Veggies Linked to Better Grades. Using data collected from 47,203 Canadian adolescents as part of the 2012-2013 Youth Smoking Survey, researchers from the University of Waterloo conclude that only about 10% currently meet the Canadian government’s national fruit and vegetable intake recommendations (7-8 servings per day). The researchers also found that those who did consume the recommended amounts of produce per day are also more likely to earn mostly A’s or B’s on their report cards. The Journal of School Health, February 2016
Exercise: Diet & Exercise Improves Ability to Exercise Among Those with a Common Type of Heart Issue. A new study claims that obese older patients with a common type of heart failure can improve their ability to exercise without shortness of breath by either restricting calories or doing aerobic exercise. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction) is the most rapidly increasing form of heart failure. Exercise intolerance is the primary symptom of this chronic heart failure condition, and over 80% of patients with this condition are overweight or obese. In this small study, the authors found that peak Vo2 (volume of oxygen that an individual can use in one minute) increased significantly with either increased exercise or a healthier diet, and the combination of a healthy diet with exercise produced an even greater increase in exercise capacity. Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2016
Chiropractic: Lower Vitamin D Linked to Older Women with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Past studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a role in protecting the nerves from injury or degeneration. In a new study, investigators found that the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome was higher among women who were vitamin D deficient than women who had healthy vitamin D levels, especially in those under the age of 50. The study suggests improving vitamin D status could help women under the age of 50 reduce their risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and related conditions. The Journal of Hand Surgery, December 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Doctor-Patient Emails May Help Chronically Ill. For those with chronic health conditions, the ability to communicate with their doctor via email appears to improve their health. A survey of 1,000 patients with chronic conditions revealed that 56% had sent their doctor an email within the past year and 46% had used email as the primary way of contacting their medical doctors. Furthermore, 32% of patients who had exchanged emails with their doctor reported improvements in their health. Lead study author Dr. Mary Reed adds, “As more patients gain access to online portal tools associated with electronic health records, emails between patients and providers may shift the way that healthcare is delivered and also impact efficiency, quality, and health outcomes.” Kaiser Permanente, December 2015
Quote: “Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Mental Attitude: Slight Signs of Lingering Brain Damage Seen in Young Athletes After Concussion. A single concussion may cause young children to suffer minor, but lingering, brain damage. In a recent study, researchers used MRI scans to compare the brains of 15 children with a previous concussion to 15 similar kids who hadn’t suffered a concussion. They found that the brains of the concussion sufferers showed signs of subtle disruptions while utilizing attention- and thinking-related skills. The authors recommend longer-term and larger studies to determine if concussion-related alterations in brain function are associated with problems during adulthood. International Journal of Psychophysiology, December 2015
Health Alert: Too Many Teens Exposed to Secondhand Smoke. Nearly half of American teens who have never used tobacco are exposed to harmful secondhand smoke despite widespread laws banning smoking in public places. An analysis of data from over 18,000 middle school and high school students reveals that 48% reported being exposed to secondhand smoke in 2013. Investigators also found that secondhand smoke exposure was nine times higher among never-smoking teens with no smoke-free rules in their home and car than teens with 100% smoke-free homes and vehicles. Pediatrics, February 2016
Diet: Omega-3 May Help Reduce Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis. If individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) consume more omega-3 fatty acids, they may be able to decrease their chance of developing the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that usually affects the small joints in the hands and feet. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. Investigators analyzed self-reported data about omega-3 consumption from 30 people who had autoantibodies for rheumatoid arthritis and 47 control patients who did not. They found only 6.7% of patients who had the autoantibodies for RA were taking omega-3 supplements, compared with 34.4% in the control group. Furthermore, they found blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids to be lower in those at risk for RA. Based on the findings, researchers recommend a healthy diet that includes fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as one to three grams of fish oil a day, for those who may be at risk for RA and perhaps other inflammatory diseases. Rheumatology, September 2015
Exercise: Some Yoga Poses Increase Risks for Glaucoma Patients. Yoga has become a very popular form of exercise in the United States due to its health benefits. However, a new study suggests that certain poses increase eye pressure and present risks for individuals with glaucoma. Glaucoma affects eyesight, usually due to a build-up of pressure in the eye (called intraocular pressure, or IOP), which can damage the optic nerve. The study found that participants experienced a rise in intraocular pressure in four yoga poses, which included downward dog, standing forward bend, plow, and legs up on the wall. Study author Dr. Jessica Jasien writes, “As we know that any elevated IOP is the most important known risk factor for development and progression of nerve damage to the eye, the rise in IOP after assuming the yoga poses is of concern for glaucoma patients and their treating physicians. In addition, glaucoma patients should share with their yoga instructors their disease to allow for modifications during the practice of yoga.”
PLOS ONE, December 2015
Chiropractic: Sleep Problems and Pain. A recent study investigated the relationship between sleep problems and chronic pain, as well as other conditions. The study involved data on 1,753 participants and found an association between sleep problems and an increased risk for chronic pain and headaches, as well as an increase in the severity of both abdominal pain and musculoskeletal pain. The results suggest patients with musculoskeletal complaints should also be screened for sleep problems. Pain, December 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Excess Mass in Mid-Life Increases Dementia Risk. After reviewing data from 21 published studies, a team of researchers from Imperial College in London reports that individuals who are obese during later adulthood are 1.41 times more likely to develop dementia than those who maintain a healthy weight. Future research will assess how weight loss prior to mid-life influences dementia risk. Age and Aging, January 2016
Quote: “If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained.” ~ Neil Gaiman

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

Mental Attitude: Sleep Plays Vital Role in Emotions. Feeling cranky after a long night? It’s probably because your brain’s ability to regulate emotions has been compromised by lack of sleep. Researchers studied 18 participants and found that after a wakeful night, participants performed badly on tests designed to gauge their reactions to either neutral or emotional images, indicating a lower degree of regulatory processing. The findings suggest that lack of sleep appears to compromise the brain’s ability to decide what is important, and it highlights sleep’s vital role in maintaining good emotional balance and mental health. Journal of Neuroscience, December 2015
Health Alert: At Risk for Metabolic Syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increases an individual’s risk for heart disease. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, metabolic risk factors include the following: excess abdominal fat, increased circumference of the waist, high levels of fatty triglycerides, low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, January 2016
Diet: Magnesium Intake May Prevent Deadly Cancer. Investigators have found that increased magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer. An analysis of data on more than 66,000 adults aged 50 to 76 revealed that every 100 mg per day decrease in magnesium intake was associated with a 24% increase in the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. Researcher Dr. Daniel Dibaba writes, “For those at a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, adding a magnesium supplement to their diet may prove beneficial in preventing this disease… While more study is needed, the general population should strive to get the daily recommendations of magnesium through diet, such as dark, leafy greens or nuts, to prevent any risk of pancreatic cancer.”
British Journal of Cancer, December 2015
Exercise: Exercise Improves Children’s Working Memory. School children who participated in a ten-week aerobic exercise program (45 minutes per session, three times per week) experienced improvements in working memory when compared with children in a control group who were provided with homework assistance sessions during the same time frame. The results suggest children would not only benefit physically from regular physical activity but academically as well.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, January 2016
Chiropractic: Link Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. An analysis of data from two large prospective studies has revealed a strong relationship between cardiovascular risk and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The researchers found the patients at the greatest risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) were over four times more likely to develop CTS than those with the lowest CVD risk. The findings suggest managing modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease—such as high blood pressure, tobacco use, high blood sugar, physical inactivity, poor diet, poor cholesterol levels, high BMI— may not only benefit patients with CTS but may also reduce their risk for developing the condition in the first place.
Journal of Occupational and Environment Medicine, January 2016
Wellness/Prevention: How to Make Resolutions Stick. Clinical psychologist Dr. Josh Klapow says that resolutions to improve your health are more easily made than kept, but there are ways to turn them into lifelong habits. He advises following the “S.M.A.R.T.” system, which includes the following five steps: Set specific goals, Monitor actions by keeping track of progress, Arrange for success by eliminating barriers, Recruit a support team to help keep motivated, and Treat yourself for keeping your resolutions.
University of Alabama at Birmingham, December 2015
Quote: “The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” ~ Thornton Wilder

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