Mental Attitude: Parents Often Miss PTSD in Kids. Researchers followed more than 100 children aged two to ten who had experienced a road collision involving a car crash, being hit while walking, or getting knocked off their bicycle. They found that most parents of kids who still had PTSD after three years didn’t recognize their child’s symptoms. The researchers also observed that children were more likely to suffer PTSD if their parents also suffered from the condition, but even these parents had difficulty recognizing their child’s PTSD. Lead researcher Dr. Richard Meiser-Stedman adds, “This study strengthens the case for considering parental mental health, and providing support for both children and their parents in the aftermath of a trauma to reduce the long-term effects for both.” Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, November 2016
Health Alert: Spend Less Time on Your Smartphone Before Bed. In this study, participants who spent more screen-time on their phones, especially if they used their smartphones shortly before bedtime, experienced shorter sleep and reduced sleep quality. The authors of the study advise that reducing screen-time, particularly before bedtime, may help enhance the length and quality of sleep. Prior studies have suggested that the blue light from electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets can overstimulate the brain, making a good night’s sleep elusive. PLOS ONE, November 2016
Diet: Low Vitamin D Levels May Increase the Risk of Bladder Cancer. New research shows that bladder cells activate and respond to vitamin D, which can stimulate an immune response. Experts say this finding is important because the immune system may help prevent cancer by identifying and destroying abnormal cells before they develop into cancer. The body usually produces vitamin D through exposure to sunshine, but it’s also obtained from foods such as fatty fish, cheese, and eggs. Lead author Dr. Rosemary Bland writes, “As vitamin D is cheap and safe, its potential use in cancer prevention is exciting and could potentially impact on the lives of many people.” Society for Endocrinology, November 2016
Exercise: Can Exercise Shield Against a Week of Overindulgence? A new study suggests that exercise protects fat tissue from changes in inflammation levels and fat metabolism caused by a week of overeating. In the study, researchers found an increase in markers of inflammation after one week of overeating among people who do not normally exercise. However, the individuals in the study who participated in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise six days per week did not experience an increase in markers of inflammation or changes in glucose tolerance or fat metabolism. The researchers conclude, “Our preliminary findings expand on existing work to support a protective role of exercise in the metabolic response of adipose tissue to brief periods of overeating.”
Integrative Biology of Exercise 7 Meeting, November 2016
Chiropractic: Childhood Exposure to Violence Linked to Chronic Physical Conditions. Researchers recently examined the associations of violence exposure with chronic physical conditions among a group of adolescents. The survey, which included 6,483 American teens, found that 24.99% of participants reported exposure to violence, and these children also had an elevated risk for back/neck pain, headaches, chronic pain, allergies, and asthma. This suggests that childhood violence exposure may be associated with chronic physical conditions that can develop early in life. Interventions and policies aimed at preventing violence and detecting and treating early-onset conditions have the potential to reduce morbidity, mortality, and health disparities early in development.
Psychosomatic Medicine, November 2016
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Frequent Nosebleeds. Dry air is often a cause of frequent nosebleeds. The Seattle Children’s Hospital offers these prevention strategies: use a humidifier to help keep tissues in the nose moist, apply a dab of petroleum jelly on the center wall of the nose twice daily, blow your nose gently, and avoid ibuprofen and aspirin as these drugs can increase bleeding.
Seattle Children’s Hospital, November 2016
Quote: “Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

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

Mental Attitude: PTSD May Affect Boys and Girls Differently. Researchers have discovered that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the brains of girls and boys in different ways. Using MRI scans, researchers examined the brains of 59 children and found that among those with PTSD, girls and boys showed differences in a part of the brain involved in the experience of emotion and empathy. Compared with healthy controls, the research team observed this area of the brain appeared larger in boys with PTSD but was smaller in girls with the condition. Senior author Dr. Victor Carrion writes, “The difference we saw between the brains of boys and girls who have experienced psychological trauma is important because it may help explain differences in trauma symptoms between sexes.” Depression and Anxiety, November 2016
Health Alert: Vitamin D May Have Role in Breast Cancer Survival. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 220,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and around 40,000 will die from the disease. In a new study, researchers found that women with higher vitamin D levels at the time of breast cancer diagnosis had better overall survival odds. The research team concludes, “Our findings provide compelling observational evidence for inverse associations between vitamin D levels and risk of breast cancer progression and death.” JAMA Oncology, November 2016
Diet: Sugary, Caffeinated Drinks Compromise Sleep. Individuals who don’t get much sleep are likely drinking more sugar-sweetened and caffeinated beverages than those who tend to get adequate slumber each night. An analysis of data on nearly 19,000 American adults showed that those who regularly slept five or fewer hours a night drank 21% more sugar-sweetened, caffeinated beverages than those who slept seven to eight hours each night. Furthermore, individuals who regularly slept six hours a night consumed 11% more of the drinks than those who got more sleep. The researchers believe there may be a positive feedback loop where sugary drinks and sleep loss reinforce one another, making it more difficult for people to shake their unhealthy sugar habit. Sleep Health, November 2016
Exercise: Exercising at a Safe Speed in Smog. Researchers have identified the ideal speeds for cyclists and pedestrians to move in order to limit their inhalation of air pollution. Study author Dr. Alex Bigazzi notes, “The faster you move, the harder you breathe and the more pollution you could potentially inhale, but you also are exposed to traffic for a shorter period of time. This analysis shows where the sweet spot is.” The research team concludes that cyclists should ride between 7.5 to 12.4 miles per hour (12.07 to 19.95 km/h) on city roads and pedestrians should walk between 1.2 and 3.7 miles per hour (1.93 to 5.95 km/h).
International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, October 2016
Chiropractic: Whiplash and Vision Complaints. Individuals who suffer a whiplash associated disorder (WAD) often report problems with their vision. A recent study set out to gain a better understanding of WAD-related vision impairments and found the majority of studies in the research review revealed changes in both compensatory eye movements and smooth pursuit movements among participants with WAD, which may indicate impaired coordination between the head and eyes. The research team hopes their finding may help improve diagnostics as well as treatment strategies in the management of such WAD-related vision issues.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, October 2016
Wellness/Prevention: What to Do if Your Sleep Is Interrupted. Parents often find their sleep interrupted by infants and young children who wake several times during the night. To improve sleep quality, the National Sleep Foundation advises the following for tired parents: split child care into shifts to allow longer periods of sleep; keep the lights turned down during middle-of-the-night diaper changes, making it easier for parents and baby to fall back to sleep; don’t have any TV or computers in your bedroom; exercise during the day to help improve sleep; and create a relaxing bedtime routine for both you and baby.
National Sleep Foundation, November 2016
Quote: “Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

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

Mental Attitude: PTSD Common After Pregnancy Loss. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop in women after pregnancy loss. Researchers surveyed 113 women who’d recently had a miscarriage and found that 45% of women who miscarried and 18% of those who had an ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy) experienced the symptoms of PTSD during a follow-up three months after their pregnancy loss. Furthermore, nearly one-third of the women said their PTSD symptoms interfered with their work life, and about 40% said it affected their relationships with friends and family. Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that women who suffer a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy be routinely screened for PTSD and receive mental health support, if necessary. BMJ Open, November 2016
Health Alert: Sports and Eye Injuries. Researchers analyzed a database of emergency room visits at more than 900 hospitals in the United States and found nearly 86,000 reports of sports-related eye injuries, with about 50% of the injuries occurring during four activities: basketball (23%), baseball and softball (14%) and air guns (12%). Despite that fact air-gun eye injuries accounted for a smaller percentage, these injuries led to 26% of cases involving vision loss. This finding confirms the importance of wearing protective eyewear while playing sports. JAMA Ophthalmology, November 2016
Diet: Too Much Salt in US Kids’ Diet. A majority of kids in the United States (US) consume more than the recommended amount of salt for their age. Researchers analyzed data on more than 2,100 children aged 6 to 18 and found their average salt intake was 3,256 milligrams (mg) a day. Currently, the recommended salt intake for children varies from 1,900 mg to 2,300 mg a day, depending on age. The researchers add that nearly half of kids’ salt intake came from the following ten foods: pizza, Mexican mixed dishes, sandwiches (including burgers), breads, cold cuts, soups, savory snacks, cheese, plain milk, and poultry. Lead author Dr. Zerleen Quader notes the best way to reduce salt intake is to feed your children a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables without added sodium or sauces and to choose no-salt-added or lower-sodium versions of packaged foods.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, November 2016
Exercise: Exercise May Help Maintain Hearing. In a new animal-based study, researchers found that aging sedentary mice lost structures important to the auditory system—hair cells and strial capillaries—at a much higher rate than their exercising counterparts. Study co-author Christiaan Leeuwenburgh writes, “Exercise likely releases some growth factors yet to be discovered that maintain capillary density as compared to the control animals who were not exercising… Also, exercise may release other beneficial factors, but can also attenuate and blunt negative factors, such as inflammation.” Journal of Neuroscience, November 2016
Chiropractic: Restoring Normal Neck Curve Offers Benefits. A recent study investigated the effects of improving cervical lordosis (curve) and anterior head translation (AHT) in patients with diskogenic cervical radiculopathy (neck and arm pain). In a normal spine, the head should be suspended directly over the spine. This keeps the weight of the head over the body’s center of gravity. Furthermore, the head is supported by a shock-absorbing curve formed by the vertebral bones in the neck. Loss of this natural curve and a forward movement of the head can lead to increased biomechanical stress on the neck and upper back, increasing the risk for headaches and neck pain. In the study, investigators found that improving cervical lordosis and reducing AHT positively improved outcomes among the participants. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, August 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Curbing That Chronic Cough. Frequent coughing may be a sign you’re suffering from an illness, allergies, or exposure to a lung irritant. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests the following to help reduce your cough: quit smoking; figure out which allergens or irritants trigger your cough; avoid common triggers, such as cigarette smoke, mold, pollen, animal dander, or dust; eat a healthy diet; and get plenty of exercise and rest.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, November 2016
Quote: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” ~ Sheryl Sandberg

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

Mental Attitude: Loneliness Could Be Early Sign of Alzheimer’s. Subtle feelings of loneliness experienced by seniors may be an early warning sign of impending Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers examined the relationship between late-life loneliness and Alzheimer’s disease among 43 women and 36 men with no signs of dementia and found that healthy seniors with an elevated brain level of amyloid (a protein fragment has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease) were 7.5 times more likely to feel lonely than those with lower levels of amyloid build-up. The findings suggest that screening lonely seniors could lead to the earlier detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. JAMA Psychiatry, November 2016
Health Alert: Lack of Sleep May Widen Your Waistline. A review of eleven publishes studies revealed that sleep-deprived individuals consumed an average of 385 more calories per day than those who get enough sleep. Senior study author Dr. Gerda Pot writes, “Reduced sleep is one of the most common and potentially modifiable health risks in today’s society in which chronic sleep loss is becoming more common. More research is needed to investigate the importance of long-term, partial sleep deprivation as a risk factor for obesity and whether sleep extension could play a role in obesity prevention.”
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2016
Diet: Can Diet Impact Migraines? Eating processed foods high in nitrites or monosodium glutamate (MSG) and drinking too much alcohol are potential migraine headache triggers. After performing a literature review of more than 180 studies, investigators found that eating more natural foods such as fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and fresh meat while avoiding processed foods high in nitrites or MSG and managing caffeine consumption is an effective way to prevent such headaches.
The Journal of Head and Face Pain, October 2016
Exercise: Exercising While Pregnant Beneficial for Offspring. Exercise during pregnancy appears to protect offspring from age-related health risks. Researchers examined markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in mice that were born to mothers that either exercised or didn’t exercise during pregnancy. They found that the offspring of mothers that exercised had better stress resistance and improved insulin sensitivity, even into adulthood, than the mice born to sedentary mothers. The researchers write, “Our findings highlight pregnancy as a sensitive period when positive lifestyle interventions could have significant and long-lasting beneficial effects on offspring metabolism and disease risk.” American Physiological Society’s, November 2016
Chiropractic: Chronic Back Pain Affects Balance. In this study, thirteen subjects with chronic, recurrent, non-specific low back pain and 13 subjects without low back pain participated in a series of experiments to measure the effect of chronic low back pain on standing balance. The investigators found that individuals with low back pain exhibit altered late brain processing of posture with altered kinematic and muscle responses, and these responses correlated with reports of pain-related fears and activity interference. The findings demonstrate that chronic back pain can negatively affect the ability of the brain to manage balance.
Neuroscience, October 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Tips for Keeping Your Baby Safe During Sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following suggestions to parents to help keep their infant safe during sleep: always put your baby to sleep on his or her back until they turn a year old; keep the crib clear of any objects, such as pillows, bumper pads, toys, and blankets; when your baby falls asleep in a swing or car seat, move them to a crib as soon as possible; make sure your baby’s crib mattress is firm; don’t let your baby sleep in your bed; never let your baby sleep on a couch or chair; and if you swaddle your baby, make sure it’s not too tight and stop swaddling when your baby starts to roll over. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 2016
Quote: “A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” ~ Oscar Wilde

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