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.