Mental Attitude: Dealing with Job Burnout. If you experience high levels of physical or emotional exhaustion at
work that reduce your sense of accomplishment and personal identity, then you may be suffering from job burnout.
To manage job burnout, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following: work with your supervisor to change
expectations; seek support from co-workers, friends, or loved ones; try a relaxing activity that can help with stress;
exercise to take your mind off of work; and get some sleep to restore well-being and protect your health.
Mayo Clinic, October 2019
Health Alert: Many Parents Not Following Safe-Sleep Advice for Their Babies. A survey of moms across the
United States revealed that many parents fail to follow all four of the American Academy of Pediatrics’s
recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): place infants to sleep on their back;
sleep in the same room but don’t share the same bed; avoid soft objects or bedding; and use a firm sleep surface.
Pediatrics, October 2019
Diet: Vitamin D May Improve Muscle Function in Seniors. Maintaining skeletal muscle function is vital for
promoting independence, mobility, and quality of life among seniors. An analysis of data from 4,157 communitydwelling adults aged 60 years and over revealed that older adults with deficient vitamin D levels were significantly
more likely to have impaired muscle function. Study author Dr. Niamh Aspell writes, “Overall our findings add
weight to the evidence in favor of public health strategies to eliminate vitamin D deficiency in older populations.
Future research, however, should identify and focus on older adults with vitamin D deficiency and aim to better
understand if reversing this deficiency improves skeletal muscle function.”
Clinical Interventions in Ageing, October 2019
Exercise: Gentle Exercise Improves Outcomes in Older Patients. Elderly adults who engaged in a home-based
fitness program featuring stretches, light weights, and low-impact cardio reported an increased capacity to complete
everyday life tasks and activities. Innovation in Aging, October 2019
Chiropractic: Mobilization Provides Benefits to Knee Osteoarthritis Patients. Osteoarthritis of the knee is one
of the most common causes of disability among older adults. A study involving 40 patients with knee osteoarthritis
revealed that those treated with mobilization therapy, a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic,
experienced knee-related improvements with respect to pain, function, strength, and range of motion.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Supplement May Increase Cancer Survivability. The results of an analysis of
data concerning 81,362 adults from ten clinical trials suggest that cancer patients who take a vitamin D supplement
may have up to a 13% reduced risk for cancer-related mortality. Bioscience Reports, October 2019
Quote: “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Mental Attitude: Late-Life Mental Health and Disability. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends
Study concerning 3,663 older adults, researchers have identified an association between late-life anxiety or
depression and an increased risk for disability over the following five years. The findings suggest that managing latelife depression and anxiety can help seniors maintain their independence. Psychosomatic Medicine, October 2019
Health Alert: Concussion Increases Risk for Sleeping Problems. Researchers report that sleep disorders affect
nearly half of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, with insomnia (29%), hypersomnia (28%), and sleep apnea
(25%) being the most common complaints. Because insufficient and poor-quality sleep have been linked to several
negative health outcomes, the findings suggest that physicians should check for disturbed sleep when managing
patients with TBI. Nature and Science of Sleep, August 2019
Diet: Fish Oil Supplement May Help Older Adults Stay Independent. Though further research is advised, the
results of a study involving 1,635 sedentary seniors suggest that taking a daily fish oil supplement may reduce one’s
risk for major mobility disability by up to 22%. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, November 2019
Exercise: Exercise Helps Lower Fracture Risk in Older Women. In this study, researchers reviewed health and
lifestyle data concerning over 77,000 older women between the ages of 50 and 79 and found that those who regularly
exercised at any intensity had a lower risk of hip fracture than the participants who seldom or never exercised.
JAMA Network Open, October 2019
Chiropractic: Many Seniors Have Low Back Pain. A review of data from 35 published studies involving over
135,000 older adults found that it’s very common for seniors to experience low back pain that affects their ability to
carry out daily tasks. According to researchers, about one in five adults in their 60s currently have back pain, and the
risk increases with age, affecting up to 75% of those over age 100. Clinics (Brazil), October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Avoid Insomnia and Improve Sleep. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can
be detrimental to your health. Below are some recommendations to help overcome temporary insomnia and improve
the quality of your sleep: make your bedroom an inviting place by keeping the room free of clutter and distractions;
choose a mattress that’s supportive to help reduce musculoskeletal pain; avoid using the bed for watching TV,
eating, working, or any other activities; establish a regular sleep-wake cycle by getting up at the same time every
morning, even on weekends; avoid excessive napping, which can throw off your regular sleep schedule; limit your
consumption of caffeine in the afternoon and evening; watch your alcohol intake; fit in some exercise every day, but
don’t exercise strenuously right before bedtime; avoid heavy meals in the evening; and establish a “winding down”
ritual just prior to bedtime, like reading a book, listening to music, or watching a pleasant film.
WebMD, October 2019
Quote: “Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

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

Mental Attitude: Being Fit May Protect Against Depression. According to a study that included nearly 8,000
European adults, being physically active appears to reduce the risk for depression, even among those with a genetic
predisposition for the condition. Depression and Anxiety, November 2019
Health Alert: Unhealthy Lifestyle Sets Stage for Liver Problems… Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to a
host of negative health outcomes. An analysis of data concerning over 270,000 military veterans found that adults
with diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension had a 2.6 times greater risk for NAFLD than individuals
without those traits. Hepatology, November 2019
Diet: Trans Fats Linked to Greater Dementia Risk. Despite most trans fats being banned in the United States,
foods with less than a half-gram of trans fats can be labeled as “trans fat free”. In a study involving 1,600 older
adults, researchers observed that participants with higher levels of trans fats in their blood had an elevated risk for
dementia over the following decade. Neurology, October 2019
Exercise: Interval Walking Training Offers Benefits for Seniors. Interval walking training (IWT) is characterized
as walking at 70% of maximum capacity (heart rate) for three minutes, then at 40% capacity for the next three
minutes, repeating the process five or more times. Among a group of 679 older adults, those who participated in an
IWT program for five months not only experienced improved aerobic capacity in comparison to a control group that
did not exercise, but they also had a 17% reduced risk for lifestyle-related disease.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, October 2019
Chiropractic: Myofascial Release and Core Exercises for Back Pain. Myofascial release (MFR) is a hands-on
technique commonly used by doctors of chiropractic that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into connective
tissue restrictions to help eliminate pain and restore motion. In a study involving 45 elderly patients with nonspecific low back pain, those treated with a combination of MFR and core strengthening exercises three times a
week for six weeks experienced improvements in low back pain and function, lower body flexibility, fear-avoidance
behavior, and overall quality of life. These techniques are often utilized by chiropractors when managing patients
with low back pain. Clinical Interventions in Aging, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Fruits, Veggies, and Frailty. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness,
physical inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss. The results of a study involving nearly
5,700 seniors suggest that a low intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with an elevated risk for frailty.
Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, October 2019
Quote: “Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

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

Mental Attitude: Deep Sleep May Wash Toxins from the Brain. According to a new study, activity in the brain
changes during deep sleep in a manner that allows the cerebral spinal fluid to rinse out the waste products that can
accumulate during the waking hours. Sleep medicine specialist Dr. Raman Malhotra writes, “[This may] help explain
why individuals who don’t get enough sleep, or suffer from sleep disorders, are at higher risk of certain chronic
health conditions.” Science, October 2019
Health Alert: Is Noise a Risk Factor for High Blood Pressure? Researchers analyzed health data concerning
21,403 workers with occupational noise exposure and found that those with mild bilateral high frequency hearing
loss had 34% increased hypertension risk. Despite the finding, experts say that further research is needed before
noise exposure becomes an official risk factor for hypertension. PLOS ONE, October 2019
Diet: Soft Drinks Linked to Obesity and Tooth Wear. A review of data concerning 3,541 American adults
revealed an association between sugary beverage consumption and both obesity and tooth wear. Researchers Dr.
Saoirse O’Toole writes, “This is an important message for [individuals] who are consuming calories through acidic
sugar sweetened drinks. These drinks may be doing damage to their body and their teeth. There is also an important
message for dentists. We should be asking our patients who are obese and have tooth wear what calories they are
drinking as this may be having an effect on their full bodies—not just their teeth.”
Clinical Oral Investigations, October 2019
Exercise: Staying Active May Add Years to One’s Life. Among a group of nearly 1,500 Brazilian seniors,
researchers found that those with the highest daily physical activity levels were more likely to survive the following
five years than the most sedentary participants. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, October 2019
Chiropractic: Are Weak Glutes a Cause of Back Pain? Using data from 24 published studies involving over
2,000 adults, researchers report that individuals with weak and/or painful gluteus medius muscles have an elevated
risk for low back pain. The finding suggests that the gluteus medius muscles may play a role in low back pain and
should be assessed in low back pain patients. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate the hip and pelvic region
to assess issues such as glute weakness. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, October 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Natural Ways to Soothe a Cough. Symptoms of a cough can often be treated or remedied
by doing the following: stay hydrated to help thin mucus; inhale steam; use a humidifier to loosen mucus; use cough
drops or lozenges; gargle with saltwater; use an extra pillow to elevated your head at night; don’t smoke or inhale
secondhand smoke; avoid irritants such as dust, perfumes, or pollutants; use honey as a suppressant, and use ginger
to soothe throat inflammation. WebMD, October 2019
Quote: “The imagination is a muscle. If it is not exercised, it atrophies.” ~ Neil Gaiman

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

Mental Attitude: Waist Size Linked to Dementia Risk. Researchers reviewed data concerning 872,082 seniors
and found that for every five-centimeter increase in waist circumference, an individual’s risk for dementia diagnosis
over the next five years increases by about 5%. Obesity, November 2019
Health Alert: Don’t Let Babies Sleep on an Incline. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns parents not
to let a baby sleep in rockers, pillows, car seats, or any other product that holds an infant at an incline greater than
ten degrees. Researchers report that lying on an incline can activate a baby’s stomach muscles, making it easier to
turn over, even if they’ve never done so before. Once a baby is on their stomach, the angle can make it tough for
them to get out of that position, leading to greater risk of suffocation.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, November 2019
Diet: Sweetened Beverages Can Stiffen the Arteries. An analysis of data from the Brisighella Heart Study has
identified an association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and increased arterial stiffness. Past
research has linked hardening of the arteries with an elevated risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes.
Nutrients, November 2019
Exercise: E-Bikes Can Provide a Worthwhile Workout. Pedal-assist bikes (also known as e-bikes) can provide
basically the same level of workout as regular bikes. In this study, researchers pitted e-bikes against regular bikes on
a six-mile test loop and found that riders were able to enter the vigorous-intensity zone for target heart rate on both
types of bike, even though the average heart rate for e-bike riders was about ten beats per minute lower. Study author
Dr. Cougar Hall writes, “This study could be a critical catalyst for populations who struggle to exercise. The
participants got cardiovascular results, but didn’t really feel like they were working out.”
Journal of Medical Internet Research, November 2019
Chiropractic: Teenagers with Neck and Back Pain. Evaluations of 305 adolescents revealed that 8.6% currently
had back pain, 47% had back pain in the last year, and 65.1% had an episode of back pain in their lifetime. The
researchers add that 5.9% of participants currently had neck pain, and the one-year and lifetime prevalence for neck
pain was 39.8% and 51%, respectively. Further analysis showed that back pain was more common among older
teens and those who sat with poor posture, while neck pain was more likely among teens who used their smartphone
more than ten hours a week. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, November 2019
Wellness/Prevention: New Tool Can Predict Five-Year Risk of Kidney Disease. The Chronic Kidney Disease
Prognosis Consortium has developed a new risk calculator tool that can predict how likely you are to develop
chronic kidney disease within five years based on variables such as age, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose
levels. When caught early, kidney disease progression can be slowed or stopped with proper treatments and lifestyle
changes. Journal of the American Medical Association, November 2019
Quote: “You don’t have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it’ll go.” ~ Yogi Berra

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