Health Alert: Sleeping Pills Linked to Falls & Fractures in Dementia Patients. Researchers collected data
on over 27,000 dementia patients and found that those prescribed a high dosage of strong sleeping medications
such as zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone (so-called “Z-drugs”) had an elevated risk for a stroke, serious fall, and
fracture, especially hip fracture. Study author Dr. Chris Fox notes, “This research shows us that higher-dose Zdrugs should be avoided, if possible, in people living with dementia, and non-pharmacological alternatives
preferentially considered.” BMC Medicine, November 2020
Diet: Most Calories Teens Eat Come from Ultra-Processed Foods. Dietary assessments of 5,500 adolescents
revealed that nearly 66% of calories consumed by teenagers come from ultra-processed foods (such as chips,
cookies, candy, soft drinks, and read-to-eat products). American Heart Association, November 2020
Exercise: Quick Bursts of Exercise May Benefit Diabetics. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form
of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort such as sprinting or stair climbing, separated by
intervals of moderate-intensity exercise, such as jogging or fast walking. A recent study found that type 2
diabetics may experience greater improvements in blood vessel function with HIIT than from longer duration,
less intense exercise. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, November 2020
Chiropractic: Common Manual Therapies Reduce Chronic Low Back Pain. The results from a recent study
that included ten chronic back pain patients showed that both high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulative
therapy and muscle energy technique are effective interventions for reducing pain and improving joint function.
Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapy techniques, including the two used in this
study, to reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.
South African Journal of Physiotherapy, October 2020
Mental Attitude: Depression Linked to Diabetes. An analysis of data concerning 30,360 middle aged and
older adults revealed that a diagnosis of depression may increase an individual’s risk for developing type 2
diabetes within the following seven years. Annals of Epidemiology, December 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Physical Problems Associated with Device Use in Kids. A survey of 569 elementary
school students revealed that one in four experience physical discomfort following prolonged electronic device
use with the most common complaints being headaches, neck/shoulder pain, back pain, and eye strain.
Medical Journal of Malaysia, November 2020
Quote: “There’s no such thing as failure – just waiting for success.” ~ John Osborne

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

Health Alert: Many People May Not Recognize a Heart Attack. The top five most common heart attack
symptoms include chest pain/discomfort; shortness of breath; arm and shoulder pain and discomfort; feeling
weak, lightheaded, or faint; and jaw, neck, and back pain. A survey of 393 adults revealed that only 11.5%
recognized all five symptoms and the majority (71.65%) only recognized chest pain/discomfort as a possible
sign of heart attack. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, December 2020
Diet: Plant-Based Diet Boosts Metabolism? During a 16-week experiment, overweight/obese participants
who adopted a low-fat, plant-based diet that included fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes experienced
an 18.7% increased after-meal calorie burn, something that was not observed in individuals who ate their usual
diet. The members of the plant-based diet group also reported more significant drops in fat mass and visceral
fat. JAMA Network Open, November 2020
Exercise: Walking Benefits the Hearts of Postmenopausal Women. In a study that looked at a decade of data
concerning over 83,000 middle aged and older females, researchers observed that the more steps a participant
averaged per day, the lower her risk for high blood pressure. Hypertension, November 2020
Chiropractic: How to Reduce Work-Related Injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal conditions are
unfortunately too common among workers in nearly all industries. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai offers the following tips to help reduce work-related injuries: modify your work to reduce the amount of
reaching and bending you perform daily; avoid slouching and bending in awkward positions; include stretching
and movement to strengthen your posture while working; reduce repetitive or prolonged activities when
possible; take frequent breaks during your shift; and remember to use proper mechanics when lifting.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, November 2020
Mental Attitude: Two Foods That May Reduce Risk for Early-Onset Dementia. A comparison of diet
assessments of 54 recently diagnosed early-onset dementia (EOD) patients and 54 cognitively healthy
individuals revealed that a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish may be associated with a reduced risk for
EOD. Nutrients, November 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Low Sodium Diet May Lower Risk for Stomach Cancer. The current research
suggests that adopting a low-sodium diet can reduce a middle-aged adult’s risk for gastric cancer by up to 24%.
Cancer Medicine, December 2020
Quote: “Those who try to obliterate the past are injuring the present.” ~ Helen Dunmore

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

Health Alert: Vitamin D Supplementation May Lower Acute Respiratory Infection Risk. A review of
findings from 42 published studies found that consuming a daily 400-1000 IU vitamin D supplement may
reduce an individual’s risk for acute respiratory infection by up to 30%. medRxiv, November 2020
Diet: Processed Fats and Sugars Increase Muscle Pain. Researchers observed that switching the diet of mice
to one rich in either highly processed sugars or fats led to increased excitability of the muscle nerves and
resulting muscle pain. The findings suggest that reducing the intake of highly processed foods may benefit
patients with muscle pain. Nutrients, October 2020
Exercise: Benefits of Strength Training. The American Cancer Society notes the following benefits for
strength training: increased muscle mass, stronger bones, improved joint flexibility, increased metabolism, and
improved balance. American Cancer Society, November 2020
Chiropractic: Dizziness? It Could Be the Neck. Dizziness can have a number of potential causes, but one that
often goes unidentified is dysfunction in the neck, particularly in the upper cervical spine. A recent article in the
Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation notes that once vestibular and cardiovascular pathologies have been ruled
out, patients with ongoing dizziness issues should be evaluated for cervical disorders. Doctors of chiropractic
are trained to evaluate the cervical spine and to restore normal motion using a combination of manual therapies
and specific exercise recommendations. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, October 2020
Mental Attitude: Disasters Increase Suicides. According to a new study, an individual’s risk for suicide can
increase up to 23% following a natural disaster, and the elevated suicide risk can persist for up to two years. The
findings reveal that more mental health resources are needed to address challenges that arise after a disaster and
that these services should be extended for a longer period of time following a disaster.
Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, November 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Problems with Sleep Only Accelerate Other Troubles… Using data from the SNACK study, researchers report that older adults with moderate-to-severe sleep disturbances will likely accumulate
chronic neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions at a faster rate than seniors with good sleep hygiene.
The authors of the analysis conclude that the early detection and treatment of sleep difficulties may present
itself as a possible strategy to reduce the risk for chronic multimorbidity in the older population.
BMC Medicine, December 2020
Quote: “Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.” ~ John Milton

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

Health Alert: Sedentary Behavior Increases the Risk of Heart Failure in Women. An analysis of health and
lifestyle data of nearly 81,000 postmenopausal women found that spending less than 6.5 hours a day engaged in
sedentary activities can cut the risk for hospitalization for heart failure by over 40%.
Circulation: Heart Failure, November 2020
Diet: Adding Dried Fruit Equals Better Diet and Health Markers. Researchers analyzed data on over
25,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that people who
regularly consumed dried fruit were more likely to eat a healthy diet and less likely to be overweight or
hypertensive. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2020
Exercise: Exercise May Help Keep the Mind Sharp. An evaluation of data from the Korean Longitudinal
Study of Aging revealed that middle aged and older adults who regularly exercised scored higher on
assessments of orientation, attention, memory, and language than non-exercisers.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, November 2020
Chiropractic: Headaches and the Neck. For patients with headaches that originate in the neck, also known as
cervicogenic headaches, a combination of manual therapies and specific exercise recommendations can be
effective for reducing headache frequency and intensity. Past research suggests that up to 4% of the general
population and up to one-in-six chronic headache sufferers may be affected by cervicogenic headaches.
StatPearls, August 2020
Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairment and Balance and Walking Ability. Assessments of 90 older adults
revealed that those with either mild cognitive impairment or early dementia exhibited differences in gait and
balance compared to participants with normal cognitive function. The findings suggest that changes in walking
ability and balance may help healthcare providers identify patients who may be experiencing cognitive decline,
possibly before other symptoms are present.
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, December 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Smoking Causes Half of Bladder Cancer Cases! The current research notes that
smoking is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer, accounting for roughly half of bladder cancer cases.
Furthermore, there’s no evidence to suggest that electronic cigarettes reduce this risk.
Spanish Archive of Urology, December 2020
Quote: “In order to achieve anything you must be brave enough to fail.” ~ Kirk Douglas

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