Mental Attitude: Doctor Burnout Leads to Poor Care. Investigators analyzed data concerning nearly 42,500 doctors
from around the world and found that physicians who were overworked or overstressed were 1.9 times more likely to
have a patient safety incident, such as a medication error or a miscommunication about treatment that placed the patient at
risk. Furthermore, these doctors were 2.3 times more likely to act unprofessionally or receive poor satisfaction marks from
their patients. Dr. Cynthia Smith, the vice president for clinical programs with the American College of Physicians,
explains that paperwork is a leading cause of burnout for doctors of all ages, and the advent of electronic health records
has made things worse rather than better. The findings suggest that efforts to reduce paperwork and ease doctors’
administrative burden could help reduce burnout. JAMA Internal Medicine, September 2018
Health Alert: Serious Birth Complications on the Rise in the US. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, the rate of serious birth complications in the United States rose from 101 per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations
to 147 per 10,000 between 2006 and 2015, and the rates of acute kidney failure, shock, mechanical ventilation use, and
sepsis at delivery more than doubled during the same period. Agency director Dr. Gopal Khanna writes, “With these data
in hand, state and federal agencies, patient safety experts, and health systems can evaluate maternal morbidity trends in
greater depth, a vital step before addressing the challenge.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, September 2018
Diet: Children without Access to Good Food Face Hypertension Risk. An analysis of national health survey data from
2007 to 2014 showed that more than one-fifth of kids between the age of 8 and 17 lacked access to nutritious foods.
Furthermore, among boys and girls with poor nutrition, over 14% had high blood pressure, compared to only 11.6%
among those with better access to nutritious food. American Heart Association, August 2018
Exercise: Better Student Fitness and Higher Test Scores? Using data collected over the course of four years from
1,138 elementary schools across the state of Georgia, researchers identified a school-wide association between higher
cardiorespiratory fitness and better performance on standardized tests. Journal of School Health, October 2018
Chiropractic: Poor Posture Linked to Headaches? In this case study, a man with a history of constant pain and
headaches following a work injury presented for chiropractic care. A thorough examination revealed that the patient had
exaggerated forward head posture and thoracic hyperkyphosis. Following a thirteen-week treatment plan that involved
exercises, traction, and manipulation, the patient experienced improvements in regards to his posture, pain, and headaches.
This case report adds to a growing body of research linking headaches with dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science, August 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Scarring. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a number of negative health
outcomes, and new research shows it may even affect scarring. In the study, researchers examined 50 patients who had
sustained a cut longer than one inch the previous year and found that those with healthy vitamin D levels were less likely
to have developed a raised or hypertrophic scar. Dermatologic Surgery, September 2018
Quote: “The greatest truths are the simplest, and so are the greatest men.” ~ Julius Charles Hare

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

Mental Attitude: COPD and Depression… Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease
that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. Among a group of 556 COPD
patients, researchers found that more than half (57.2%) suffered from depression, which previous research has associated
with both reduced quality of life and increased mortality risk. Cureus, July 2018
Health Alert: Evidence Lacking for Statin Use in Healthy Seniors? In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning
nearly 47,000 elderly adults with no history of heart disease and found that statins were not associated with a reduced risk
of heart disease or death from any cause in healthy people in this age group. BMJ, September 2018
Diet: Should Expectant Mothers Take Fish Oil Supplements? According to a new study, taking fish oil supplements
during pregnancy can lead to healthier growth in the first six years of a child’s life. In the study, researchers monitored
736 women who took either fish oil or olive oil supplements in the third trimester of their pregnancy until one week after
giving birth. They observed that children whose mothers took fish oil had higher total mass, higher lean mass, and higher
bone mineral content at age six than the children whose moms consumed an olive oil supplement. BMJ, September 2018
Exercise: Walking Linked to Lower Heart Failure Among Women. Among a group of over 137,000 middle-aged and
older women, researchers identified an association between walking and a lower risk for developing heart failure.
Heart Failure, September 2018
Chiropractic: Strategies to Reduce Work-Related Back Pain. No matter if you work at a desk or operate heavy
machinery, back pain can make it difficult to perform your job. To help avoid back pain at work, experts at the Mayo
Clinic recommend the following: maintain good posture; when lifting heavy objects, lift with your legs, use your core
muscles, and avoid twisting; when available, use a lifting device; alternate physically demanding tasks with less
demanding ones; limit or avoid carrying heavy brief cases, purses, or bags; change positions often; and walk and stretch
periodically. Mayo Clinic, September 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Avoid Lawnmower Injuries. Lawnmower injuries can range from cuts and burns to broken bones
and amputations. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand recommends the following to help stay safe when
operating a mower: read the mower’s manual before use; make sure to keep the mower in good working order with sharp
blades, and make sure the mower has protection over hot and sharp parts; clear potential hazards, such as stones, toys, and
debris, before mowing; wear goggles, hearing protection, gloves, and long pants while mowing; wear sturdy, close-toed
shoes while mowing; don’t drink alcohol before or during mowing; don’t remove safety devices or guards from mowing
equipment; never insert hands or feet into the mower to remove grass or debris; never lift a mower by the bottom, as the
blades can cut fingers even if the mower is off; never cut grass while it is wet or damp; never allow children under age
twelve to operate a push mower or those under 16 to drive a riding mower; keep children off the lawn while mowing; and
never have a passenger on a riding mower. American Society for Surgery of the Hand, September 2018
Quote: “In youth we learn; in age we understand.” ~ Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
Joseph T. Megna, D.C.
(707) 226-5200

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

Mental Attitude: Post-Concussion, Ease Back into Normal Activities… New United States government guidelines
recommend that after sustaining a concussion, children should refrain from physical and mental activities for the first
three days, including school and sports, and then gradually resume their normal routine. Researchers Dr. Matthew
Breiding notes, “Some children and teens think concussions aren’t serious or worry that if they report a concussion they
will lose their position on the team or look weak. Remind them that it’s better to miss one game than the whole season.”
JAMA Pediatrics, September 2018
Health Alert: Sleep Loss Increases Risk for Diabetes. In this study, researchers found that six hours of sleep
deprivation led to elevated blood glucose in the liver, an increase in triglyceride levels, and changes to levels of liver
enzymes related to metabolism in otherwise healthy rats. The research team believes that the changes induced by sleep
deprivation may be the root cause of insulin resistance and buildup of fat in the liver, increasing the risk for diabetes,
regardless of changes in activity and diet. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2018
Diet: Nutrient-Rich Diet Beneficial to Heart Failure Patients. An examination of data regarding 246 heart failure
patients found that 44% of patients with deficiencies in seven or more micronutrients—the most common being calcium,
magnesium, zinc, and vitamins C, D, and E—were hospitalized or died within the next year, compared with only 25% of
patients who had fewer or no nutrient deficiencies. Journal of the American Heart Association, September 2018
Exercise: Exercise May Boost Brain Power in Alzheimer’s Patients. According to a study involving mice with a
condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, exercise may trigger the production of new neurons in brain regions
where memories are encoded, potentially slowing the progression of the disease. Science, September 2018
Chiropractic: Almost Half of Golfers Have Back Pain… Among a group of 271 recreational golfers, researchers found
that 45% suffered from mechanical lower back pain (MLBP) and 23% had sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD). Further
analysis showed that nearly 96% of the golfers with SIJD also had MLBP. The findings suggest that doctors should
evaluate the sacroiliac joint in golfers with low back pain and that improving sacroiliac joint function could reduce the
risk of low back pain recurrence. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Connecting with Your Child. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that children who
have a positive, healthy relationship with their parents are better able to handle challenges such as family instability,
parental stress, or depression. To improve parent-child bonding, the NIH recommends the following: reward and praise
your child for good behavior; give your child chores and offer praise for jobs well done; don’t be overly critical if a child
fails a task and allow time to develop new skills; use kind words, tones, and gestures when giving instructions or making
requests; spend time every day in warm, positive, loving interactions with your child; identify opportunities to increase
family time, such as taking walks or reading books together; brainstorm solutions to problems at home or school together;
set rules for screen time; show interest in your child’s feelings, concerns, worries, goals, and ideas; and participate in
activities that your child enjoys, such as the child’s games, activities, and performances.
National Institutes of Health, September 2018
Quote: “The worst times can be the best if you think with positive energy.” ~ Domenico Dolce

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

Mental Attitude: Air Pollution Linked to Dementia. Among a group of 130,978 United Kingdom residents, researchers
found that those living in areas with higher levels of air pollution had up to a 40% increased risk for developing dementia
over the following decade. BMJ Open, September 2018
Health Alert: Poor Healthcare Linked to Millions of Death Worldwide. A two-year project in which 30 academics,
policymakers, and health experts examined how to measure and improve healthcare quality worldwide concluded that
poor-quality healthcare leads to about 5 million deaths per year in developing countries. They found that poor-quality care
is a major cause of deaths from treatable conditions, such as cardiovascular deaths, neonatal conditions, road injury,
tuberculosis, HIV, and other infectious disease. Additionally, lack of access to care is a significant factor in deaths from
cancer, mental and neurological conditions, and chronic respiratory conditions.
The Lancet Public Health Journal, September 2018
Diet: Whole Grains Help Prevent Diabetes. After monitoring the health of 55,000 adults for 15 years, researchers report
that participants with the highest wholegrain intake had a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes (34% for men and
22% for women) than those with the lowest wholegrain intake. Journal of Nutrition, September 2018
Exercise: Exercise Doesn’t Affect Onset of Menopause. Is there a link between how much a woman exercises and her
risk for early menopause? An analysis of twenty years of data concerning more than 107,000 women found no association
between physical activity levels at any point in life and the early onset of menopause. Study director Dr. Elizabeth
Bertone-Johnson writes, “Our results, in conjunction with other studies, provide substantial evidence that physical activity
is not importantly associated with early menopause… we would encourage premenopausal women to be physically active,
as exercise is associated with a range of health benefits.” Human Reproduction, September 2018
Chiropractic: Does Chiropractic Care Prevent Back Pain? If you suffer from non-specific low back pain (NSLBP),
the results of a new study support continued chiropractic care following your initial course of treatment. In the study,
which included 328 NSLBP patients who responded well to chiropractic treatment, those who continued to receive care at
least once every three months reported twelve fewer days with bothersome back pain over the following year than patients
who did not receive maintenance care. PLOS One, September 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Protecting Children After Pet Exposure. Classroom pets, such as Guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, or
frogs can be a great learning experience for kids, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that
exposure to animals does come with some risk. Because they are still developing their immune system, children are more
likely to get sick after handling an animal. The CDC recommends the following to reduce a child’s risk: always wash
hands with water and soap right after touching animals, their food, or their habitats; disinfect areas where animals have
been; supervise handwashing for younger children; use a hand sanitizer if running water and soap are not available; and
avoid cleaning tanks, feeders, water containers, and other equipment where food is prepared, served, or eaten.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2018
Quote: “The measure of success is happiness and peace of mind.” ~ Bobby Davro

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