Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke Linked to Hypertension in Kids. Examinations of 3,579 children and
teens revealed that those who lived in a household in which one or more person smoked were two times more
likely to have blood pressure in the hypertensive range than kids from nonsmoking homes.
Preventative Medicine, May 2020
Diet: Omega-3s May Protect Against Alcohol/Substance Abuse. Healthy omega-3 fatty acid serum levels are
associated with better cardiovascular health and cognitive function, as well as reduced inflammation. In a recent
article published in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design, the authors speculate that improving omega-3
fatty acid levels during childhood and adolescence may reduce impulsivity and reward sensitivity, potentially
lowering the risk for developing substance and alcohol abuse disorders.
Current Pharmaceutical Design, April 2020
Exercise: Staying Active May Aid in Afib Management. Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is a common heart rhythm
disorder that is known to significantly increase the risk of stroke. A study involving 3,333 Afib patients
revealed that participants who averaged fewer steps per day tended to experience more severe Afib-associated
symptoms than those with a more active lifestyle. Hearth Rhythm, May 2020
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Is a Common Work Injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) reports that three million non-fatal workplace illnesses and injuries took place in the United States in
2018, with low back pain listed as the most common complaint. While the prevalence of low back pain was
greatest among physically demanding jobs like construction work, poor ergonomics, bad working postures, and
excessive vibration exposure have also been demonstrated to increase the risk for the condition.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Adults Often Delay Seeking Help for Eating Disorders. A survey of 300 young adults
revealed that many with an eating disorder put off seeking treatment due to either denial, concerns of losing
control, or not understanding the severity of their condition.
International Journal of Eating Disorders, April 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Risk Factors for Sleeping Problems. The following factors are associated with an
increased risk for either insufficient or poor quality sleep: an inconsistent eating schedule, low vegetable intake,
alcohol before bed, electronic device use in bed, high caffeine intake, dinner within two hours of bed time, lack
of sunlight exposure in the morning, and weight gain. Sleep Health, April 2020
Quote: “Happiness consists in activity. It is running steam, not a stagnant pool.” ~ John Mason Good

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

Health Alert: Blood Infections Tied to Colon Cancer Risk. An analysis of health data concerning over two
million adults found evidence that blood infections from anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium septicum may
be associated with an increased risk for developing colon cancer in the near future. The findings suggest that
healthcare providers should screen patients for colon cancer if they have recently been diagnosed with a blood
infection caused by anaerobic bacteria.
European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, April 2020
Diet: Low-Fiber Diet May Benefit Asthmatics. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, researchers have identified an association between low fiber intake and an increased risk
for asthma-related symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and excess phlegm production.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society, May 2020
Exercise: Overtraining? To reduce the risk of overtraining, researchers recommend spending no more than 9%
of total exercise time each week at an intensity greater than 90% of maximum heart rate.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, February 2020
Chiropractic: Old and Young May Experience Different Whiplash Symptoms. Examinations of 27 seniors
and 32 young adults who had recently been diagnosed with a whiplash injury following a motor vehicle
collision revealed that dizziness is a more common symptom among older whiplash patients, and younger
individuals are more likely to report neck pain. American Journal of Otolaryngology, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Kids Intuitive About Parental Stress. New research indicates that attempting to suppress
emotions can lead a parent and their child to become cold and less engaged with one another. Researcher Dr.
Sara Waters writes, “That makes sense for a parent distracted by trying to keep their stress hidden, but the kids
very quickly changed their behavior to match the parent… So if you’re stressed and just say, ‘Oh, I’m fine’, that
only makes you less available to your child. We found that the kids picked up on that and reciprocated, which
becomes a self-fulfilling dynamic.” Journal of Family Psychology, April 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention Tips. The American Dietetic Association recommends the
following to reduce one’s cancer risk: become leaner; get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily; avoid sugary
drinks; limit consumption of high-calorie foods; eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes; limit
consumption of red meat and avoid processed meat; limit your daily intake of alcohol; and limit consumption of
salty and processed foods. American Dietetic Association, April 2020
Quote: “Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Early Death from Heart Disease Greater in Women Living in Rural Areas. An analysis of
data regarding premature deaths from coronary artery disease over the last two decades showed that death rates
due to coronary artery disease increased about 11% among women living in rural areas. Senior author Dr.
Federico Moccetti explains, “Women living in rural areas of the United States have for the first time suffered an
increase in premature deaths from coronary artery disease. This is in stark contrast to their urban counterparts,
who have experienced a virtually uninterrupted reduction in premature coronary artery disease deaths.” The
findings reveal the need to increase public health campaigns focusing on heart health among rural women.
Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2020
Diet: Eat More Fiber! Using data from the NutriNet-Santé study, researchers report that higher dietary fiber
intake is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2020
Exercise: Get Active After a Heart Attack. Among a group of 4,570 heart attack patients, those who attended
cardiac rehabilitation classes reported higher quality of life scores than those who remained sedentary. Study
author Dr. Ben Hurdus adds, “Exercise improves fitness, which has both physical and mental health benefits…
If you’re more able to participate in activities that bring you happiness, then you’re more likely to have a better
quality of life.” European Society of Cardiology, April 2020
Chiropractic: Back Pain Common Among Future Physicians. Questionnaires completed by 640 medical
school students revealed that a third experienced an episode of low back pain during the previous year and
roughly half had to reduce their activities due to their pain.
International Journal of Preventative Medicine, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Anxiety and Dementia. A review of data from the Zaragoza Dementia and Depression
Project study found that high levels of anxiety are associated with a nearly three-fold increased risk for vascular
dementia in older men but not in older women. Brain Sciences, April 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Reasons to Maintain a Healthy Weight. The National Institutes of Health notes that
maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk for the following: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, fatty liver disease, pregnancy difficulties, and some types of
cancer. National Institutes of Health, April 2020
Quote: “On an exhausted field, only weeds grow.” ~ Henryk Sienkiewicz
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Complications During Pregnancy Increase Future Risk of Preterm Delivery. An analysis of
data on both the first and second pregnancies of over 300,000 Norwegian women revealed that the risk of
preterm birth in their second pregnancy was two times greater among women who experienced a complication
during their first pregnancy such as preeclampsia placental abruption, stillbirth, neonatal death, and low birth
weight for gestational age. Researchers hope the findings will help healthcare providers identify those at
increased risk of preterm delivery. BMJ, April 2020
Diet: Food Choices May Affect Liver Cancer Risk. A diet low in fruits, leafy vegetables, and fish may be
associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. PLOS One, April 2020
Exercise: Walking Offers Many Health Benefits. Walking is a great weight-bearing exercise associated with
the following benefits: increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness; reduced risk of heart disease and stroke;
improved management of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or
stiffness, and diabetes; stronger bones; improved balance; increased muscle strength and endurance, and
reduced body fat. Department of Health & Human Services (Australia), May 2020
Chiropractic: Conservative Care Can Reduce Need for CTS Surgery. Among a group of 150 patients on a
waiting list for carpal tunnel release surgery, researchers observed that participants who performed tendon
gliding exercises for six weeks were about 25% more likely to cancel their procedure within the following six
months. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate tendon gliding exercises in their treatment recommendations
for carpal tunnel syndrome patients in addition to nutritional recommendations and manual therapies to relieve
pressure on the median nerve at the wrist and elsewhere along its course. Journal of Physiotherapy, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Early School Start Time Affects Attendance. New research suggests that high school
students who start school at 7:25 a.m. are more likely to miss school or arrive late for their first class than
students who begin the day at 8:50 a.m. Economics of Education Review, June 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Yourself from the Sun to Prevent Skin Cancer. The American Academy of
Dermatology reports that many Americans don’t take proper precautions to protect themselves from the sun. To
reduce the risk for skin cancer, the academy recommends the following: seek shade when the sun’s rays are the
strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; wear sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a widebrimmed hat and sunglasses; use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF)
of 30 or higher on all skin not covered by clothing. American Academy of Dermatology, April 2020
Quote: “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.