Mental Attitude: Rheumatic Diseases Increase Dementia Risk. Using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance
Research Database, researchers report that patients with either Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus,
osteoarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis have an elevated risk for developing dementia. The research team is unsure why
patients with rheumatic diseases have a higher risk for dementia but suggest that increased inflammation may be a
contributing factor. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, December 2017
Health Alert: Traffic Pollution Poses Health Risks to Unborn Babies. Air pollution caused by road traffic is having a
detrimental impact on the health of unborn babies in London. In a new study, researchers found a link between increases
in fine particulate matter from road traffic and a 2-6% increased risk of low birth weight and a 1-3% increased risk of
being small for gestational age. The researchers note their findings are most likely applicable to other cities with similar
pollution and they call for environmental health policies to improve air quality in these areas. BMJ, December 2017
Diet: Drinking Soda During Pregnancy May Boost Odds of Asthma in Kids. Children are more likely to develop
asthma if their moms consumed sugary drinks during their pregnancy. An analysis of data on 1,068 mother-child pairs
from a long-term study revealed that expectant mothers who drink two or more sugary beverages per day are up to 63%
more likely to have a son or daughter with asthma than women who refrain from such beverages.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society, December 2017
Exercise: Staying Fit Cuts Diabetes Risk. Japanese researchers followed 7,804 adult males for over 20 years and found
that those with higher fitness levels throughout the course of the study had up to a 53% lower risk for developing diabetes
in comparison with participants who led mostly sedentary lives. Journal of Epidemiology, December 2017
Chiropractic: Heel Posture Plays Role in Back Pain. A recent study set out to investigate the influence of calcaneal
(heel) position on the pelvic and trunk alignment of ten healthy subjects. Using 3-D motion analysis, the researchers found
that calcaneal inversion (commonly seen among those with a high arch) can affect the alignment of the pelvic and trunk,
increasing the risk for back pain. The findings reveal the importance evaluating the foot and ankle when assessing low
back pain patients. Journal of Physical Therapy and Science, November 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of
depression triggered by decreased exposure to daylight, which makes it more common in winter months. Common
symptoms include feeling down, having low energy, sleeping a lot, and craving sweet or starchy foods. To help manage
SAD, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following: expose yourself to more daylight by going for a walk outside
during the day or buy an artificial light source that mimics sunlight; consume a healthy diet; stay active during the winter
months; and seek professional counseling if you have difficulty managing the feelings of SAD.
National Sleep Foundation, November 2017
Quote: “Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into
air.” ~ John Quincy Adams

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