Mental Attitude: Chronic Stress Can Affect Memory. Individuals subjected to chronic stress due to bullying or a tough job may experience problems with their memory. Researchers found that mice who were repeatedly stressed by larger, more aggressive mice when they tried to find an escape hole in a maze became more forgetful than mice not exposed to the aggressive mice. The researchers say that the mice’s inability to remember coincided with stress-induced inflammation in the brain. They hope that a better understanding of stress, cognition, and mood problems may help create strategies for those suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, March 2016
Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke Exacerbates COPD Symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. A recent study found 20% of COPD patients live with an active smoker and 27% were exposed to secondhand smoke during the previous week. For the COPD patient, secondhand smoke exposure is linked to a greater risk for severe exacerbations (51%), nocturnal symptoms (58%), wheezing (34%), and chronic cough (77%). Thorax, March 2016
Diet: High-Fat Diet May Raise Cancer Risk. New research suggests that a high-fat diet could increase the risk of colon cancer. In this study, researchers fed healthy mice a high-fat diet (60% of total calories from fat) for nine months and found the mice gained 30-50% more body mass and developed more intestinal tumors than mice on a control diet. Nature, March 2016
Exercise: Brain Chemicals Affected By Exercise. Researchers have found that people who exercise not only have better physical fitness than inactive persons, but they also have better mental fitness. Using MRI scans, researchers found that intense exercise increased the levels of two common neurotransmitters called glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in study participants. The finding offers insights into brain metabolism and how exercise could become an essential part of treating depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders associated with deficiencies in neurotransmitters. Lead researcher Dr. Richard Maddock adds, “We are offering another view on why regular physical activity may be important to prevent or treat depression… Not every depressed person who exercises will improve, but many will. It’s possible that we can help identify the patients who would most benefit from an exercise prescription.” Journal of Neuroscience, February 2016
Chiropractic: Is it CTS or Double Crush Syndrome? Many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may also have median nerve entrapments further up the course of the nerve (in the neck, shoulder, elbow, etc). When the median nerve is encumbered at two anatomical locations, it’s described as a double crush syndrome (DCS). In this study, researchers compared the results of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests on patients with CTS and patients with CTS and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (an example of DCS). The results showed worse nerve function in the patients with DCS, supporting the possibility of more severe CTS symptoms with a lower likelihood of resolution if treatment only focused on the wrist.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, September 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Experts Unsure If Seniors Should Have Routine Vision Checks. A panel of experts concludes there is not enough data to say whether or not seniors should be routinely screened for vision trouble by their primary care physicians. According to the panel, primary care doctors typically check vision with an eye chart test and while this test can detect refractive errors, it does not identify early stage age-related macular degeneration or cataracts. Task force member Dr. Michael Pignone notes, “Older adults who are having vision problems should talk to their primary care doctor or eye specialist… in the absence of clear evidence, primary care doctors should use their clinical judgment when deciding whether to screen for vision problems in patients without vision symptoms.” U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, March 2016
Quote: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Seneca

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

Mental Attitude: Can Computer Use Help with Seniors’ Memory? A new study suggests that seniors who use computers as little as once per week may help ward off commonly observed age-related declines in memory and thinking. According to the study, researchers found that seniors who used a computer during the previous week had a 42% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a condition that places an individual at greater risk for more severe forms of dementia. While it isn’t clear to investigators how computer use may help protect one’s memory, the researchers believe that being engaged, challenged, active, and mentally stimulated can lead to a healthier brain. American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, April 2016
Health Alert: Daylight Savings Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke. Finnish researchers have found that changing the clock forward or back leads raises an individual’s stroke risk. The team analyzed data from 3,033 men and women hospitalized during the week after a daylight saving time transition and found that the overall rate of ischemic stroke was 8% higher during the first two days after the time change than in subsequent days. Author Dr. Jori Ruuskanen explains, “We know from previous studies that stroke risk is highest in the morning hours and daylight saving time slightly shifts the timing pattern of stroke onset. Previous studies have also shown that the disruption of the circadian clock due to other reasons (e.g. due to rotating shift work) and sleep fragmentation are associated with an increased risk of stroke.” Further research is needed to confirm the findings, but the team believes the results are convincing. American Academy of Neurology’s 68th Annual Meeting, April 2016
Diet: Choose a Healthier Lunch. Lunch is important for keeping you full and focused during the day. To eat a healthier lunch, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests the following: choose a salad dressing with an oil base instead of a cream base, include as many veggies as possible, and choose a small, healthier appetizer or split an entrée with someone else if eating at a restaurant. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March 2016
Exercise: Dance Class Benefits Older Latinos. A small study involving 57 older adults has found that classes in traditional Latin dance may help older Hispanic adults become interested in exercise and improve their mobility. After four months of dance classes, researchers found that participants were fitting more activity into their daily lives and were more nimble on their feet. A larger trial is now underway to assess the longer-term effects of Latin dance classes on older adults, including any mental benefits. The researchers say that the “bigger picture message” is for older adults to find activities they actually enjoy so they’ll stick with them.
American Heart Association Meeting, March 2016
Chiropractic: How to Reduce Standing-Related Back Pain… For those whose jobs require them to stand on their feet, a simple stretch can cut the risk for back pain by as much as a third. In this study, participants stood for two hours in two sessions one week apart. During one of the two sessions, they bent all the way forwards for five seconds every 15 minutes. During the other session, they refrained from any stretching. The participants were 36% less likely to report back pain following the session that included the forward-bending stretches than when they stood still for two hours. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, April 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D Associated with More Aggressive Prostate Cancer. New research suggests that prostate cancer may be more aggressive in men who are vitamin D deficient. Researchers studied nearly 200 men with prostate cancer and found that those who had blood vitamin D levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) were more likely to have rapidly growing tumors than those with normal vitamin D levels. Dr. Anthony D’Amico, the chief of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston believes the results are important enough to spur further study into the possible connection between vitamin D and prostate cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2016
Quote: “The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.”
~ Robert M. Pirsig

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

Mental Attitude: Increasing Depression May Indicate Greater Dementia Risk. Depression is a known risk factor for dementia, but most studies have only focused on depression at a single point in time and not over a multi-year time frame. In this study, researchers looked at the depressive symptoms of 2,488 seniors over a five-year time period and then followed up with them over a decade later. They found that those with high and increasing depressive symptoms during the data collection period were nearly twice as likely to develop dementia than even those with moderate depressive symptoms. JAMA Psychiatry, March 2016
Health Alert: Lawn Mowers Pose Dangers to Kids. Children in the United States continue to suffer severe injuries from both regular power lawn mowers and ride-on mowers. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no child under the age of 16 operate a ride-on mower and no child under twelve operate a push mower. Additionally, they urge parents to keep all children under the age of six indoors when any mower is in operation and not to allow kids to ride as passengers on mowers operated by adults. A recent study found that over 50% of kid-related mower accidents resulted in an amputation. Senior study author Dr. Douglas Armstrong explains, “People don’t realize how dangerous lawn mowers are… The vast majority of the injuries could have been prevented if safety guidelines had been followed.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting, March 2016
Diet: Omega-3s May Lower Breast Cancer Risk Among Obese Women. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that women with dense breast tissue have a four to six times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Now, a randomized clinical trial involving 266 postmenopausal women has found an association between increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood and reduced breast density, but only among obese participants. The researchers singled out DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as the fatty acid associated with breast density reduction and they hope to examine the effects of DHA in a trial involving obese participants known to have dense breast tissue. Researcher Dr. Andrea Manni adds, “The finding supports the idea that omega-3s, and specifically DHA, are preferentially protective in obese postmenopausal women.” Cancer Prevention Research, December 2015
Exercise: Being Physically Fit Reduces Depression Risk After Heart Attack. People who are physically fit may be less likely to become depressed after a heart attack. Researchers looked at 189 middle-aged and older Norwegians and found that those who exercised regularly in the years preceding their heart attack were less than half as likely to become depressed after a myocardial infarction than those who rarely or never exercised. The findings are important as heart attack survivors are three time more likely to have depression. Though the study did not prove cause and effect, it certainly appears that exercise protects against depression after a heart attack. The American Journal of Medicine, February 2016
Chiropractic: Tennis Not Dangerous to Teen Spines. Many health experts believe that tennis and other asymmetrical sports pose risk factors for scoliosis development in adolescents even though scientific data is lacking. A new study that involved 102 adolescent tennis players failed to find a correlation between tennis and either an increased risk for low back pain or spinal deformities among adolescents. European Spine Journal, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotics May Prevent Dental Cavities. In the future, preventing cavities may be as simple as taking a supplement to keep unwanted bacteria in check. Researchers have found a strain of bacteria that could keep bad bacteria under control and pave the way to using probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to prevent cavities. The newly identified bacteria is a strain of Streptococcus called A12, which was found to help neutralize acids in the mouth and also kill Streptococcus mutans, an especially harmful kind of bacteria. The findings are important as too much acid can cause dental cavities or other disorders. While the development of an effective oral probiotic is still a long way off, this previously unknown bacteria looks like a promising candidate in the future of dental health. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2016
Quote: “Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end.” ~ Robin S. Sharma

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

Mental Attitude: Fidgeting May Be Important for Learning in Students with ADHD. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often get into trouble for fidgeting in class, but a new study suggests that fidgeting may help them learn. The research team based their findings on observing the amount of fidgeting 25 children with ADHD did while solving memory problems. They suspect that fidgeting may increase physiological arousal similar to what stimulant medication does for a child with the disorder. The findings suggest that teachers and parents should focus less on whether a child is sitting still and more on whether their work gets done. Journal of Attention Disorders, February 2016
Health Alert: Radiation for Prostate Cancer May Carry Other Risks. An analysis of 21 studies has found that radiation treatment for prostate cancer may place men at a slight increased risk for other cancers such as bladder, colon, and rectal cancers. Oncologist Dr. Anthony Zietman writes, “[The study] confirms our belief that second malignancy should be added to the already long list of avoidable hazards associated with treatment for those men with low-risk prostate cancer who simply need no treatment at all.” He adds that concerns about secondary cancers “should not, however, stand in the way of an effective and well-studied treatment being given to men with higher grade, lethal prostate cancer for whom the potential benefit simply dwarfs the risk.”
British Medical Journal, March 2016
Diet: Can Fruits and Veggies Lower Blood Pressure? A review of 25 published studies concerning 334,468 patients revealed a link between greater consumption of fruits and vegetables and a lower risk of hypertension. The authors add that those of Asian descent appear to benefit the most, as studies conducted with Asian populations showed those who consumed the most servings of fruits and veggies per day were 30% less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the fewest servings of produce each day. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, January 2016
Exercise: Exercise Helps Some Smokers Quit. According to a new study, between 20% and 33% of smokers are considered to have high-anxiety sensitivity and smoke to cope with stress, making it more difficult for them to quit. In this study, investigators found that 26% of high-anxiety sensitivity smokers who were involved in a 15-week exercise program successfully abstained from smoking compared with only 12% in a control group who attended wellness sessions. After six months, 23% of the exercise group continued to abstain from smoking while just 10% of the wellness education group managed the same. The findings suggest that exercise can reduce anxiety sensitivity symptoms, doubling the chances of smoking cessation among adults with higher anxiety levels. Psychosomatic Medicine, April 2016
Chiropractic: Cervical Dysfunction and TMD? A team of Brazilian researchers found evidence that patients with a diagnosed temporomandibular disorder (TMD) may also have cervical dysfunction that may possibly contribute to their TMD symptoms. In this study, twenty TMD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent a series of tests that measured pain, disability, and sensitivity to hot and cold at several body sites. They found the TMD patients were significantly more likely to report neck pain and disability and also more likely to have abnormal sensitivity to pain and cold sensations in their cervical region than those in the control group. The authors of the study believe their findings point to a relationship between TMD and the neck.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Breathalyzer-Locked Car Ignitions Save Lives. In the 18 states that require in-car breathalyzers with ignition interlocks for anyone convicted of drunken driving, researchers have observed a 15% decrease in alcohol-related deaths. Researcher Dr. Elinore Kaufman adds, “Other states have proven [a mandatory interlock law] is feasible, and we’re contributing proof that it is effective. There should be no remaining barrier for the remaining half of states to adopt it.”
American Journal of Public Health, March 2016
Quote: “If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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