Health Alert: Smartphone Use Landing Users in the ER. Between 1999 and 2017, researchers estimate that more than
76,000 people visited emergency rooms in the United States for head, face, and neck injuries in relation to smartphone
usage. Lead researcher Dr. Boris Paskhover explains, “People are not paying attention and getting head and neck injuries
because they’re walking with a cellphone, and fall and break their nose or jaw.”
JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, December 2019
Diet: Most Expectant Mothers Don’t Get Enough Iron and Calcium. The results of a recent literature review suggest
that 91% of pregnant women have inadequate daily iron intake while 55% fail to consume enough calcium.
Maternal & Child Nutrition, December 2019
Exercise: How Exercise Boosts Oxygen to the Brain. Scientists have long assumed that blood is always saturated with
oxygen, but according to a recent study, this isn’t the case and may explain why exercise is linked to better brain function.
In the study, researchers monitored respiration, neural activity, blood flow, and brain oxygenation of mice using a
treadmill and found that increased respiration led to greater amounts of oxygen in the blood, thus providing more oxygen
to the brain. Based on the results, researchers conclude that respiration provides a dynamic pathway for modulating
cerebral oxygenation. Nature Communications, December 2019
Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain Affects Shoulder Muscle Activation. Using surface electromyography to assess
multiple muscles in the neck and shoulder region, researchers observed increased onset delays in the anterior and middle
deltoid and a peak delay in the upper trapezius muscle among participants with chronic neck pain that were not observed
in those without a history of neck pain. The findings suggest that neck pain may be associated with dysfunction in the
shoulder and may need to be addressed to achieve an optimal outcome for patients with neck pain, shoulder pain, or both.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, October 2019
Mental Attitude: Vaping Linked to Depression. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
survey concerning more than 890,000 adults, researchers estimate that current e-cigarette users are two-times more likely
to be diagnosed with depression than those who have never used e-cigarettes, and the risk for depression increases in
proportion with use. The results suggest that patients suffering from depression and other mental health conditions should
be screened for tobacco dependence. JAMA Network Open, December 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Know the Warning Signs for Stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and a significant cause of
disability in the United States. The American Stroke Association list the following warning signs of stroke: face drooping
on one side, arm weakness and/or numbness, and slurred speech. Other symptoms include sudden numbness, confusion,
trouble seeing, difficulty walking, and severe headache. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms,
summon emergency services immediately. American Stroke Association, December 2019
Quote: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

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

Health Alert: Cleaner Teeth May Lead to a Healthier Heart. A review of data concerning more than 161,000 South Korean
adults revealed that those who brushed their teeth three or more times a day had a 10% lower risk for atrial fibrillation and a
12% reduced risk for heart failure over the following decade. The researchers suspect that frequent tooth brushing may reduce
the presence of potentially harmful germs between the teeth and gums, preventing the bacteria from entering the bloodstream
and causing an inflammatory response that is associated with an elevated risk for atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, December 2019
Diet: Eat More Peas and Beans for Heart Health? New research suggests that consuming several servings of legumes per
day is associated with a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. Study co-author Dr. Hana Kahleova
writes, “Americans eat less than one serving of legumes per day, on average. Simply adding more beans to our plates could be a
powerful tool in fighting heart disease and bringing down blood pressure.” Advances in Nutrition, November 2019
Exercise: Fitness Consultation Key to Motivating Child Cancer Survivors. Questionnaires completed by child cancer
survivors revealed that just one exercise physiology consultation was enough to improve exercise levels among nearly three
quarters of these patients. The findings suggest that tailored guidance from an exercise professional should be a standard in the
treatment of child cancer survivors due to the potential lifelong benefits. Heart and Mind, November 2019
Chiropractic: Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain. Forward head posture is a common postural fault that’s associated with
excessive screen use. A systematic research review has determined that adults with neck pain are more likely to exhibit forward
head posture than individuals without neck pain. It’s hypothesized that forward head posture places added stress on the upper
trapezius, erector spinae, and the neck extensor muscles, potentially raising the risk for musculoskeletal pain in the cervical and
thoracic spine. Doctors of chiropractic often address postural faults—such as forward head posture—with spinal manipulation
and neck-specific exercises. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, November 2019
Mental Attitude: Vitamin D Levels and Dementia. Poor vitamin D status has been linked to several adverse health outcomes,
including an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. In an effort to understand whether maintaining healthy vitamin
D levels throughout life offered neuroprotective benefits, researchers compared the rate for dementia among individuals with
genetically high vitamin D levels and the general population. The results showed that the genetically high vitamin D group had
a significantly reduced risk for dementia, which suggests maintaining healthy vitamin D levels throughout life my slow
cognitive decline or even stave off the development of dementia. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, December 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Retainer Care Tips. Keeping your retainer clean can be difficult, but it’s important for preventing
cavities and infection. The California Association of Orthodontists suggests these retainer care tips: wash your hands before and
after handling your retainer; soak your retainer often in a vinegar-and-water solution; never boil your retainer, as you can ruin
the custom mold; clean with a baking soda scrub or a non-harsh toothpaste; and use a denture cleaner twice per week.
California Association of Orthodontists, December 2019
Quote: “You must learn to take a step back and visualize the whole piece. If you focus only on the thread given to you, you lose
sight of what it can become.” ~ Colleen Houck

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

Health Alert: Are Migraines and Asthma Linked? Using a decade of data from a national database, South Korean
researchers report that there appears to be a bidirectional relationship between migraines and asthma with migraineurs having a
37% increased risk for asthma and asthmatics having a 47% elevated risk for migraines. Further research is needed to
understand the link/s between migraines and asthma. Scientific Reports, December 2019
Diet: Eating During a Ten-Hour Window Improves Health of Those with Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a
cluster of conditions—obesity, high blood pressure, problematic cholesterol, impaired metabolic function, and excessive waist
circumference—that occur together and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In a new study involving
19 individuals with metabolic syndrome, researchers observed that when participants restricted their eating to a ten-hour
window every day for twelve weeks, they reduced their calorie intake by nearly 9%, lost an average of 3% of their body weight,
and reported more restful sleep. Their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels also improved.
Cell Metabolism, December 2019
Exercise: Which Exercise Is Best for Bone Health in Obese Older Adults? Weight loss among obese seniors can lead to
bone loss and an increased risk of fracture. In a new study that included 160 obese older adults, researchers found that resistance
training or combined resistance and aerobic training were both effective in reducing weight loss-induced decreases in bone
density, while aerobic training alone was deemed ineffective in this regard.
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, December 2019
Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain Linked to Lower Neck Strength. A review of findings from fifteen published studies
concluded that patients with chronic neck pain have reduced strength in the muscles used for flexion, extension, and lateral
flexion of the neck in comparison to individuals without a history of neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate
specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in the neck, shoulder, and upper back of patients with chronic neck pain to decrease
pain, improve function, and reduce the risk for recurrence.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, November 2019
Mental Attitude: Domestic Abuse Can Lead to a Lifetime of Poor Health. An examination of the medical records of over
92,000 women revealed that survivors of domestic abuse are two-times more likely to have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) than females with no history of domestic abuse. Study author Dr. Joht Singh Chandan writes, “Domestic abuse
is a global public health issue, with as many as 1 in 3 women affected worldwide… We hope these first of their kind research
findings will change healthcare practice and will be of assistance in the early diagnosis of fibromyalgia and CFS in women who
have been abused.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, December 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Writing Can Help You Deal with Stress. Noting that past studies have shown that writing down your
thoughts and feeling about difficult situations can improve your mood, reduce your risk for becoming ill, and increase your
productivity, the American Psychological Association recommends keeping a diary or a journal.
American Psychological Association, December 2019
Quote: “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” ~ Aldous Huxley

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

Health Alert: Air Pollution Linked to Glaucoma Risk. In this study, researchers analyzed data regarding more than 111,000
adults in the United Kingdom and found that those living in areas with the highest levels of fine particulate matter air pollution
had a 6% greater risk for glaucoma. Study author Dr. Paul Foster notes, “While we cannot confirm yet that the association is
causal, we hope to continue our research to determine whether air pollution does indeed cause glaucoma, and to find out if there
are any avoidance strategies that could help people reduce their exposure to air pollution to mitigate the health risks.”
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, November 2019
Diet: Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Prevent Various Dementias. The accumulation of the protein tau in the brain is associated
with an elevated risk for several forms of dementia. In this study, researchers observed that when mice prone to accumulations
of tau consumed a diet high in extra virgin olive oil, they had 60% fewer tau deposits than rodents on a standard diet.
Additionally, the mice on the extra virgin olive oil diet also performed better in standard maze and object recognition memory
tests. Aging Cell, November 2019
Exercise: Muscle Mass Linked to Heart Health. New research that reviewed ten years of health data concerning over more
than 1,000 adults indicates that men and women with more muscle mass in middle age were less likely to have hypertension,
diabetes, and obesity—all risk factors for heart disease—than participants with less muscle mass at midlife.
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, November 2019
Chiropractic: Pain Is Common in Kids, Teens, and Young Adults. Researchers reviewed the healthcare usage of 373,178
Swedes under the age of 24 and found that 15.8% sought treatment for at least one painful condition in 2017, with abdominal
pain, joint pain, headache, and back/neck pain being the most common. Of these individuals, one in seven consulted with their
healthcare provider at least four times during the year. The findings suggest that pain is a common complaint among children
and young adults. European Journal of Pain, December 2019
Mental Attitude: Concussions in High School Increase Risk of Suicide. An analysis of data concerning more than 13,000
high schoolers in the United States revealed that student athletes who reported having a concussion in the last year were more
likely to report feelings of depression, suicidal ideations, and planned or previous suicide attempts. Lead author Dr. Dale
Mantey writes, “Everyone needs to be aware of the warning signs and the risks that come with concussions—parents, teachers,
coaches, but also the students themselves… If there is any concern that a child may have suffered a concussion, it is critical to
seek medical attention. If a child is diagnosed with a concussion, everyone in their support network should look for changes in
mood or behavior that may be warning signs of reduced mental well-being.” Journal of Affective Disorders, November 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Identifying Risk Factors for Eating Disorders. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration explains
that eating disorders are the result of a combination of psychological, social, and genetic factors like low self-esteem or
perfectionism; overvaluing body image in defining self-worth; stress, depression, and trauma; avoidance of social interaction;
involvement in a sport that emphasizes body shape; troubled family or personal relationships; and teasing or bullying.
National Eating Disorders Collaboration, November 2019
Quote: “Endurance is patience concentrated.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

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