Mental Attitude: Positive Well-Being Benefits Those with Autism. According to a new study that monitored the
mental health of 36 employed adults with autism spectrum disorder, those with a greater sense of happiness and life
satisfaction were less likely to develop depressive symptoms over the following year. Lead author Dr. Darren Hedley
adds, “While previous research has tended to focus on the negative aspects of mental health such as depression and
anxiety, in this study we felt it was also important to focus on positive well-being—a construct often overlooked in autism
research in adulthood. There needs to be more mental health research involving adults with autism, and it is particularly
important to understand what predicts good mental health and better outcomes overall.” Autism Research, January 2019
Health Alert: Fatty Liver Linked to Osteoporosis? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat
builds up in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. A review of data from six studies has
identified an association between NAFLD during childhood and an elevated risk for reduced bone mineral density, which
may set the stage for osteoporosis later in life. Hepatology, January 2019
Diet: Low Zinc Levels Increase Risk of Hypertension. Low zinc levels may contribute to high blood pressure by
changing the way the kidneys handle sodium. In this study, researchers compared male mice with zinc deficiency to mice
with healthy zinc levels and found that the zinc-deficient mice were more likely to develop high blood pressure with a
corresponding decrease in urinary sodium excretion. When the zinc-deficient mice were fed a zinc-rich diet and reached
adequate levels, the rodents’ blood pressure decreased and their urinary sodium levels increased.
American Journal of Physiology — Renal Physiology, January 2019
Exercise: Depressed Youths Less Likely to Exercise. An analysis of data from the 2011-12 National Survey of
Children’s Health suggests that boys and girls with depression are only about half as likely to get regular exercise as their
non-depressed peers. Preventative Medicine Reports, January 2019
Chiropractic: Hip Pain Is Rarely an Isolated Problem… A recent study that included 2,515 subjects found that of
those with hip pain (124), only 3% exclusively had pain in their hip. In 47% of cases, hip pain patients also had pain in
one to five other body sites, and 50% of hip pain patients had co-existing pain in six or more areas. Doctors of
Chiropractic are well trained in making differential diagnoses in order to determine all of the patient’s presenting pain
generators, leading to proper management to achieve successful treatment outcomes. Musculoskeletal Care, January 2019
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Skin Problems at the Gym. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive in warm
places at the gym, such as locker rooms and sweaty gym equipment. To prevent skin infections, the American Academy
of Dermatology recommends the following: wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing; always wear shoes or flip flops
in the locker room, around pools, and in the shower; keep any cuts clean and covered; disinfect equipment before and
after use; wash hands after working out; shower soon after exercising; and dress in clean clothes.
American Academy of Dermatology, January 2019
Quote: “Common sense is very uncommon.” ~ Horace Greeley
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Gut Bacteria May Be Linked to Dementia Risk. Bacteroides are a group of bacteria that are
beneficial to the gut because they crowd out “bad” infection-causing bugs. According to a new study that analyzed stool
samples of 128 older adults with and without dementia, researchers found that patients with dementia had fewer
bacteroides in their digestive system. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Dr. Keith Fargo writes, “At this point, we don’t know
that this association is causal… We don’t know which came first—the dementia or the differences in the gut microbiome.”
American Stroke Association, February 2019
Health Alert: Dirty Air Linked to Increased Risk of Strokes and Shorter Lives. New research that looked at data
from 1,600 counties across the United States between 2005 and 2010 revealed that individuals living in counties with
more air pollution not only had a higher risk for stroke but also short life expectancy—particularly if their area had a
higher poverty rate and fewer healthcare providers. American Stroke Association, February 2019
Diet: Could Vitamin D Lower the Risk of Developing Diabetes? Among a group of nearly 700 Brazilian women,
researchers observed that the women who took a vitamin D supplement not only had higher vitamin D serum levels but
they also had lower blood glucose readings. North American Menopause Society executive director Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton
explains, “Although a causal relationship has not been proven, low levels of vitamin D may play a significant role in type
2 diabetes mellitus… Vitamin D supplementation may help improve blood sugar control, but intervention studies are still
needed.” Menopause, January 2019
Exercise: Chronic Disease Patients Are Less Active… Using data from the 2006-2010 UK Biobank Prospective Cohort
Study, researchers note that individuals with one or more chronic disease average about 60 fewer minutes of moderate
physical activity each week in comparison with healthy adults, which may place them at greater risk for other health risks
related to inactivity. International Journal of Epidemiology, February 2019
Chiropractic: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction? In a study involving 51 patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD)
and referred pain to the buttocks or lower back, researchers found that mobilization, stretching, stabilization exercises, and
manipulative therapy are all effective treatments for reducing pain and improving function in SIJD patients. Doctors of
chiropractic commonly use a combination of such treatments when managing patients with musculoskeletal complaints,
including SIJD. Pain Physician, January 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Why Do I Have Dry Eye? Dry eye occurs when your tear production fails to keep the eye surface
adequately lubricated, leading to scratchy or stinging feelings, dryness, discharge, and pain and redness of the eyes. The
National Eye Institute lists these common causes of dry eye: medications including antihistamines, decongestants,
antidepressants, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and
high blood pressure; advancing age; rosacea and blepharitis; windy, smoky, or dry environments; seasonal allergies; and
prolonged periods of screen time. National Eye Institute, January 2019
Quote: “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” ~ Babe Ruth
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: ‘Mindfulness’ May Help Some Manage Their Chronic Pain. Mindfulness is described as the ability
to be fully present, aware of where you are, and calm about what’s going on around you. A review of data from twenty
published studies involving over 2,000 patients with chronic pain found that engaging in a yoga or meditation training
program that involved mindfulness is an effective method for managing stress and other problems associated with chronic
pain, especially when combined with additional treatment strategies. Evidence Based Mental Health, January 2019
Health Alert: Resting Heart Rate Change May Signal Type 2 Diabetes… New research indicates that changes in
resting heart rate over several years may signal an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes. In this study, researchers monitored
the resting heart rate of 12,155 adults six years apart and found that participants who experienced a ten beat increase in
resting heart rate had a 90% increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. NMCD, December 2018
Diet: Breakfast May Not Be Important for Weight Loss. For years, we have been told that breakfast is the most
important meal of the day to help maintain a healthy weight, but a new paper suggests otherwise. Investigators looked at
thirteen randomized controlled trials and found that people who ate breakfast ended up eating about 260 additional
calories per day, while those who skipped breakfast were about one pound lighter. BMJ, January 2019
Exercise: Kids Should Be Active Every Day. An analysis of data concerning 5,779 pre-adolescent children from twelve
countries suggests that staying active throughout the week is important for reducing a child’s obesity risk. In particular,
the study found that kids who generally don’t exercise are almost five times more likely to be obese, while children who
are mostly sedentary during either the week or weekend have double the risk for childhood obesity.
International Journal of Obesity, January 2019
Chiropractic: What Onset Is Associated with Cervical Radiculopathy? Cervical radiculopathy is a condition
characterized by pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck that goes down one or both arms. Questionnaires completed by
122 cervical radiculopathy patients found that one third recalled their symptoms started following a specific physical
activity or trauma while the remainder said their cervical radiculopathy began without an inciting event. This study
illustrates the reality that in most cases, patients cannot isolate a specific cause for their presenting complaint. Often, the
cause is cumulative in nature, making the determination of causation difficult to impossible. Doctors of chiropractic are
trained to assess and treat patients that present with radiating arm pain, regardless of causation. PM & R, January 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Why Am I Bloated? Many people suffer from abdominal bloating, which feels like an inflated
balloon in the abdomen. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders notes these common triggers for
bloating: too much gas in the intestine; abnormally high amounts of bacteria in the small intestine; imbalance of
microorganisms that live in the bowel, which could be the result of taking antibiotics; food intolerance; and increased
curvature of the lumbar region of the spine, which decreases the capacity of the abdomen to hold gas.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, January 2019
Quote: “It is books that are a key to the wide world; if you can’t do anything else, read all that you can.” ~ Jane Hamilton
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Attitude May Help Prevent a Second Stroke. Examinations of 400 patients who survived either
a mild or moderate stroke or a transient ischemia attack found that those who felt as though they could protect
themselves from a second stroke were less likely to have high blood pressure (a risk factor for stroke) a year later.
Senior author Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala writes, “You can protect yourself against stroke by reducing your risk
factors. And this study shows that if you think you can do it, you can.” American Stroke Association, January 2019
Health Alert: Most Americans Will Eventually Have High Blood Pressure. The American Heart Association
estimates that the average American has about a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure in his/her lifetime.
However, one can reduce their hypertension risk by not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, eating a
healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress. Circulation, January 2019
Diet: Should You Try a Plant-Based Diet? In this study, researchers observed that participants who consumed a
vegetarian meal experienced an increase in beneficial gastrointestinal hormones involved in the regulation of glucose
metabolism, insulin secretion, energy homeostasis, satiety, and weight management. Study author Dr. Hana
Kahleova adds, “The fact that simple meal choices can increase the secretion of these healthy hormones has
important implications for those with type 2 diabetes or weight problems… This study adds to the mounting
evidence that plant-based diets can help manage and prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity.” Nutrients, January 2019
Exercise: Aerobic Exercise May Help OCD Patients. In this study, patients with treatment-resistant obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD) who participated in a twelve-week aerobic exercise training program experienced
improvements with respect to mood, anxiety, and compulsion. Journal of Affective Disorders, February 2019
Chiropractic: Osteoarthritis of the Hip? Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most common degenerative joint
diseases, and it is associated with chronic pain, reduced mobility, and stiffness in the region surrounding the hip
joint. A systematic review of data from twelve studies found that a combination of manual therapy and patient
education is effective at improving pain, hip range of motion, and physical function in patients with hip OA. Doctors
of chiropractic commonly use such treatments when managing patients with osteoarthritis of the hip.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, February 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Identifying Vision Problems in Infants. Although rare, vision problems do occur among
newborn and infants. The American Optometric Association lists the following signs of vision problems in this age
group: excessive tearing, which may indicate blocked tear ducts; red or encrusted eye lids, which could signal an eye
infection; constant eye turning, which may signal a problem with eye muscle control; extreme sensitivity to light,
which may indicate elevated pressure in the eye; and the appearance of a white pupil, which may indicate an eye
tumor that could be cancerous. American Optometric Association, January 2019
Quote: “Home is the nicest word there is.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.