Mental Attitude: ADHD and Smoking… Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who become
smokers tend to try their first cigarette at a younger age than their peers without ADHD. Additionally, the data show that
smokers with ADHD smoke more cigarettes per day and have a more difficult time quitting.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, March 2018
Health Alert: Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this study, researchers compared the health history of
8,760 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 26,280 children without ASD. They found the following risk
factors associated with ASD: maternal mental illness, epilepsy, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, polycystic ovary
syndrome, infection, or asthma; assisted fertility; hyperemesis, younger maternal age; labor complications; low birth
weight; infant infection; epilepsy; birth asphyxia; and newborn complications. Pediatric Research, March 2018
Diet: Even If You Eat Healthy Foods, Salt Can Increase Your Blood Pressure. An analysis of the dietary intake and
urine samples of more than 4,000 adults revealed that a diet rich fruits and vegetables fails to counter the hypertensive
effects of consuming too much salt. Study author Dr. Queenie Chan writes, “We currently have a global epidemic of high
salt intake—and high blood pressure. This research shows there are no cheats when it comes to reducing blood pressure.
Having a low-salt diet is key—even if your diet is otherwise healthy and balanced.” Hypertension, March 2018
Exercise: Exercise Reduces Recurrent Fall Risk. New research suggests that engaging in regular physical activity can
protect seniors from falls. In this study, investigators found that older adults who exercise are 39% less likely to
experience recurrent falls than their more sedentary peers. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, March 2018
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Disease Among Children Is an Economic Burden in the US. According to a new
report, more than 19 million children and adolescents in the United States (US) received treatment in medical centers,
private medical practices, and hospitals for musculoskeletal-related conditions or injuries in 2012 at a total cost of about
$7.6 billion. The report also found that musculoskeletal conditions account for 5.4% of hospital charges in the pediatric
population, but only 1.4% of pediatric research funding is dedicated to musculoskeletal research. The authors of the report
note the costs are most likely underestimated and that further research is needed to determine better ways of tracking
direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal conditions among children. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: What to Ask If You Have Breast Cancer… When receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, it is
important to prepare a list of questions for your doctor. The American Cancer Society recommends inquiring about the
following: the type and size of the breast cancer; if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or elsewhere; what stage is
the cancer; how curable is the cancer; what tests, if any, are needed before deciding on treatment; the need to see any other
doctor; what is the hormone receptor status of the cancer; what is the HER2 status of the cancer; what are the survival
rate; and what are the costs and insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment? American Cancer Society, March 2018
Quote: “If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas.” ~ Steve Maraboli

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

Mental Attitude: Dementia and Veterans. A review of data from six published studies involving military veterans has
found that those with a previous diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder have a
significantly higher risk for developing dementia. Psychological Medicine, March 2018
Health Alert: Child Obesity Levels Not Improving As Once Thought. Data from an ongoing health and nutrition study
indicates that almost 14% of preschool children were mildly obese in 2015-2016, up 5% from 2013-2014. Additionally,
researchers found no evidence of any sustained improvements in childhood obesity rates at any age. Instead, their longrange
view suggests a continued upward trend. The findings confirm the need for continued education and funding for
programs that teach healthy diet and lifestyle habits for children and parents. Pediatrics, February 2018
Diet: Carotenoid-Rich Foods Can Reduce Inflammation. New research shows that increasing the amount of
carotenoid-rich foods in the diet can help reduce inflammation in the body within six weeks. Foods rich in carotenoids
include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and tomatoes. Nutrition Research, February 2018
Exercise: Fitness Trackers May Help Patient Keep Fit After Cardiac Rehab. Heart patients typically do well when
enrolled in a cardiac rehab program, but they usually revert to unhealthy lifestyles once they are discharged from care. A
new study suggests that virtual coaches and fitness trackers could keep these patients active, even after cardiac rehab ends.
In the study, investigators found that a twelve-week mobile health program that consisted of a wearable activity tracker, a
personalized prescription to walk a certain number of steps per day, and personalized virtual sessions with a health coach
over the phone or computer not only kept cardiac rehab patients from losing ground, but it actually helped them maintain
and even gain fitness compared with those who received usual care after cardiac rehab. Researcher Dr. Brian Duscha
adds, “This has important public health implications, because maintenance of physical activity and physical fitness are
inversely associated with cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.” American Heart Journal, March 2018
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Common with Migraines. According to a new study that monitored the status of 391 migraine
patients for 18 months, 42.5% of participants experienced neck pain in conjunction with migraine episodes. In a third of
these patients, neck pain triggered their migraine and the rest reported that neck pain manifested once their headache was
underway. The authors of the study caution, “Careful history taking is required to diagnose neck pain as a feature of
migraine and to differentiate it from secondary headache due to a cervical pathology for avoiding unnecessary imaging or
other investigations.” Neurology India, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Cholesterol in Check. Because blood sugar and blood pressure can influence cholesterol
levels, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following: if you smoke, quit; lose excess weight; exercise
daily; and eat a low-fat diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
American Diabetes Association, March 2018
Quote: “Only two things can reveal life’s great secrets: suffering and love.” ~ Paulo Coelho

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

Mental Attitude: Lung Function May Affect Dementia Risk. Compared to their peers with strong lungs, young and
middle-aged adults with poor pulmonary function (PPF) have up to a 30% increased risk for developing dementia later in
life, even after controlling for smoking status and vascular comorbidities.
Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, March 2018
Health Alert: Can a Sunny Childhood Reduce MS Risk Later in Life? Growing up in sunnier regions may shield
individuals from developing multiple sclerosis (MS) decades later. In this study, researchers reviewed the history of 400
women with an average age of 40 and found that those who lived in regions with the highest levels of UV-B exposure
between the ages of 5 and 15 were 51% less likely to develop MS than those who spent their childhood in areas with less
UV-B exposure. The findings are not surprising because UV-B rays play a role in vitamin D production and past research
has linked low levels of vitamin D with an elevated risk of MS. Neurology, March 2018
Diet: Eating More Produce Linked with Weight Loss. In this study, researchers reviewed the dietary habits of 4,357
adults five years apart and found that participants who increased their fruit and vegetable intake during this time were
more likely to lose weight than those whose produce intake remained the same or declined. Public Health, March 2018
Exercise: Is Exercise an Antidote for Aging? Exercise may be the best option to counter the physical effects of aging. In
this study, investigators assessed both female and male cyclists, aged 55 to 79, and found that compared with nonexercisers,
the cyclists did not exhibit age-related muscle mass or strength loss, they did not experience age-related
increases in body fat or cholesterol levels, and their immune system was as robust as that of a younger person. Researcher
Dr. Janet Lord writes, “Our research means we now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular
exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier.”
Aging Cell, March 2018
Chiropractic: Neck and Back Pain Are a Global Burden. A review of data from two studies found that in 2015, neck
and low back pain ranked as the fourth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide just after ischemic heart
disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. The review also notes that in 2015, over 500 million
people worldwide suffered from low back pain and over a 333 million individuals suffered from neck pain longer than
three months duration. The findings reveal the need to prioritize spinal pain research funding to address the huge and
growing global burden caused by neck pain and back pain. European Spine Journal, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Colonoscopy Saves Lives. An analysis of the health histories of over 25,000 veterans revealed that
colonoscopy screening cuts the risk of colorectal cancer mortality by as much as 61%. Harvard Medical School’s Dr.
Andrew Chan writes, “I am not surprised… The results confirm an already substantial body of data supporting that
colonoscopy is associated with a substantial reduction in risk of colorectal cancer.”
Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2018
Quote: “Create your own miracles; do what you think you cannot do.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

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

Mental Attitude: Behavior in High School Predicts Success Later in Life. Beginning in 1960, researchers followed the
progress of 1,952 students and found that those who demonstrated being a responsible student, showed an interest in
school, and had good reading and writing skills were more likely to continue their education and attain more prestigious
jobs over the following five decades. Lead author Dr. Marion Spengler writes, “This study highlights the possibility that
certain behaviors at crucial periods could have long-term consequences for a person’s life.”
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, February 2018
Health Alert: Does Diabetes Increase Osteoarthritis Risk? Diabetes and osteoarthritis (OA) commonly occur together,
but it’s unknown if diabetes increases the risk for OA or if they just happen to share common risk factors. In this study,
researchers reviewed data from 40 published studies and found little evidence to suggest that impaired glucose
metabolism is an independent risk factor for OA. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, February 2018
Diet: Two Healthy Diets Equally Benefit the Heart. In a new study, researchers followed 107 overweight participants
who ate either a low-calorie vegetarian diet that included dairy and eggs or a low-calorie Mediterranean diet for three
months. At the end of the study, the research team observed that participants on either diet each lost about three pounds
(1.36 kg) of body fat and about four pound (1.81 kg) of weight overall. Study lead author Dr. Francesco Sofi notes, “[The]
take-home message of our study is that a low-calorie lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet can help patients reduce cardiovascular
risk about the same as a low-calorie Mediterranean diet.” Circulation, February 2018
Exercise: Gut Benefits from Exercise. In a recent study, 36 college students completed an eight-week exercise program
that involved cycling, jogging, step aerobics classes, and circuit training. Samples of the participants’ gut microbiome
taken during the program revealed greater microbial diversity, which can benefit the body in a number of ways. The
findings suggest that exercise could be used as a means for improving gut health in persons with health challenges, such
as diabetes, and autoimmune diseases like lupus and allergies. Northern Arizona University, February 2018
Chiropractic: Altered Trunk Muscles May Cause Back Pain. Using electromyography (EMG), researchers measured
trunk muscle activity during lifting among 25 patients with recurrent low back pain (but without current back pain) and 20
asymptomatic individuals. The data show differences in the activity of several trunk muscles (transversus
abdominis/internal abdominal oblique and multifidus) during lifting between the two groups. This suggests that patients
with a history of back pain may benefit from specific rehabilitation exercises to address these issues.
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Bystander Use of an AED Significantly Increases Odds of Surviving Cardiac Arrest.
Automated external defibrillator (AED) can be found in most public spaces, and a new study suggests that individuals in
cardiac arrest are almost twice more likely to survive if a bystander administered the AED before first responders arrived.
Circulation, February 2018
Quote: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” ~ Henry Ford

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

Mental Attitude: Is Empathy in Your DNA? Researchers claim that our ability to “feel” the emotions of others stems
partly from our genetic makeup. A study of nearly 47,000 adults found that genes seem to explain 10% of the variance in
empathy from one individual to another and that these genes are also associated with the risk of autism, schizophrenia,
and anorexia. Researcher Dr. Varun Warrier writes, “We’ve known for a few decades now that differences in empathy
have been observed in various psychiatric conditions… Understanding how genes contribute to differences in empathy
may provide us with insights into the genetic basis for some of these psychiatric conditions.”
Translational Psychiatry, March 2018
Health Alert: ER Visits for Opioid Overdoses Continue to Increase. According to a new government report,
emergency room visits for opioid overdoses in the United States increased about 30% between July 2016 and September
2017. Acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Anne Schuchat writes, “This fast-moving
epidemic does not distinguish age, sex, or state or county lines, and it’s still increasing in every region of the United
States.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 2018
Diet: Duration of Obesity Linked to Heart Disease Risk. An analysis of health data regarding over 9,000 adults found
that the longer an individual was overweight or obese, the more likely they were to test positive for a protein called
troponin that is released when heart muscle has been damaged, such as occurs with a heart attack. Study lead author Dr.
Chiadi Ndumele adds, “What our findings suggest is that even in the absence of such heart disease risk factors as high
blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease, the number of years spent obese or overweight contributes to the higher
likelihood of heart damage.” Clinical Chemistry, January 2018
Exercise: Ball Exercises May Benefit Women During Childbirth. New research suggests that taking warm showers,
performing perineal exercises with a gymball, or both while in labor can reduce stress, pain, and anxiety.
International Journal of Nursing Practice, March 2018
Chiropractic: Coordination Problems More Common Among Those with Back Pain. In a new study, researchers
examined the differences in synchronous movement between the trunk and lower limbs and found that when lifting, highdisability
chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients demonstrated decreased lumbar-hip movement coordination and stiffer
hip-knee movement than both low-disability CLBP patients and healthy controls. The findings may help clinicians
develop improved treatment approaches for patients with CLBP. Journal of Biomechanics, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Preventing Those Pesky Plantar Warts. Warm moist environments, such a bathrooms or locker
rooms, are the most likely places for contracting the virus that causes plantar warts. To help reduce your risk, the
American Podiatric Medical Association suggests the following: avoid walking barefoot, especially high-risk places;
change shoes and socks daily; keep your feet clean and dry; avoid contact with warts on other people; and don’t ignore
skin growth or changes. American Podiatric Medical Association, March 2018
Quote: “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.” ~ Stephen Hawking

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