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.