Health Alert: Esophageal Cancer Increasing Among Young Adults. Researchers report that the incidence of
esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased over the last 40 years, with the rate increasing fastest among patients
under the age of 50. Additionally, the research team reports that younger esophageal cancer patients were more
likely to be diagnosed with a more advanced stage of the cancer and their survival rates were lower than
patients aged 50 and up. Lead study author Dr. Don C. Codipilly adds, “Physicians must keep in mind that
[esophageal adenocarcinoma] is not a disease of the elderly, and that outcomes for young people with
[esophageal adenocarcinoma] are dismal… Our findings suggest that physicians should have a low threshold of
suspicion for patients who present with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). While younger patients would
typically not be at high risk for [esophageal adenocarcinoma], they may benefit from an upper endoscopy.”
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, December 2020
Diet: Avocados Benefit Your Gut Microbes. Among a group of 163 obese or overweight adults, researchers
observed that consuming one avocado a day led to an increase of microbes in the digestive system known to
break down fiber and support gut health. Journal of Nutrition, December 2020
Exercise: Tai Chi May Improve Mood, Energy, and Sleep. Older women who participated in a four-week
Tai Chi program reported improvements in vigor, mood, and sleep that persisted up to four weeks following the
conclusion of the intervention. Research in Sports Medicine, January 2021
Chiropractic: Back Pain Common in Nurses. Questionnaires completed by 256 nurses revealed that 44.5%
had experienced low back pain during the previous week and 80% had low back pain in the preceding year.
Acta Biomedica, November 2020
Mental Attitude: Late-Life Hypertension May Signal Increased Dementia Risk. While a history of high
blood pressure is a known risk factor for dementia, a recent study suggests that older adults who develop
hypertension late in life may be at an even higher risk for cognitive decline.
Frontiers in Neurology, November 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D, Calcium, and Dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a very
common gynecological disorder affecting 84.1% of women during childbearing age. The most common
symptoms of PD include tiredness, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and lower abdominal pain that can
radiate to both thighs and/or to the low back. The current research suggests that women with low vitamin D and
calcium levels may experience more severe PD symptoms. Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, January 2021
Quote: “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” ~ Lou Holtz

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

Health Alert: Air Pollution Increases Kidney Disease Risk. Past research has shown that air pollution can
increase one’s risk for heart and lung disease. Now, an analysis of data concerning over 47,000 adults suggests
that increased exposure to fine particulate matter is also associated with an elevated risk for chronic kidney
disease. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, December 2020
Diet: Junk Food Could Be Causing Your Teen’s Sleep Problems. The World Health Organization reports
that teens who consume three or more soft drinks a day or eat fast food four or more times a week are up to 55%
more likely to have disturbed sleep than their peers who consume one or fewer soft drinks a day or fast food no
more than once a week, respectively. World Health Organization, December 2020
Exercise: Seniors Should Get Fit Before Surgery. The result of a recent experiment suggests that lifting
weights in the week preceding a surgical procedure can offset the amount of muscle loss that is often observed
in older adults following a week of post-surgical bed rest.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, December 2020
Chiropractic: Ergonomic Intervention Helps Curb Musculoskeletal Pain. Prolonged exposure to awkward
positions is known to increase an office worker’s risk for musculoskeletal pain. A recent study found that office
employees experienced a reduction in pain intensity in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and hand/wrist
following an ergonomic assessment to identify and correct workstation configurations known to place
unnecessary stress on the body (desk too high/low, monitor not directly in front of user, monitor too high/low,
chair too high/low, etc.). Industrial Health, November 2020
Mental Attitude: Nearly 1 in 3 Teens May Have Internet Addiction. Questionnaires completed by over
27,000 teenagers revealed that 29% exhibit behaviors and symptoms suggesting addiction to the Internet. These
individuals were also more likely to engage in other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such has inadequate fruit and
vegetable intake, lack of exercise, frequent consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods, and alcohol and
e-cigarette use. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, December 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Stay Healthy at Work. Experts at WebMD offer the following tips to stay
healthy in the workplace: avoid unhealthy snacks that your co-workers leave in the break room, drink eight to
ten glasses of water a day, try to implement more physical activity at work, eat a healthy lunch, improve work
posture and ergonomics, avoid eyestrain, take time off to refresh, avoid prolonged stretches of long workdays,
and disinfect your work area often. WebMD, December 2020
Quote: “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” ~ Louis Pasteur

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

Health Alert: Is a Negative Personality Linked to Heart Attack Risk? Personality evaluations of 150
myocardial infarction patients revealed that these individuals were more likely to have a negative outlook on
life than the general population. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, September 2020
Diet: A Commonly Used Joint Supplement May Benefit the Heart? Using data from several United
Kingdom National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers found that individuals who took a
daily glucosamine supplement to support joint health had a 65% reduced risk for death due to cardiovascular
disease in the following decade. Though further research is necessary to understand the nature of the
relationship between glucosamine supplement use and improved heart health; however, they venture that
glucosamine may lower systemic inflammation in healthy individuals or that people who use these supplements
may take more care of their health and be healthier overall.
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, December 2020
Exercise: Outdoor Winter Workout Ideas. During the colder months, the American Heart Association
recommends trying these outdoor activities to stay fit: brisk walking or hiking, jogging or running, raking
leaves, shoveling snow, ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. If it is too cold, there are
also plenty of indoor exercise choices as well. American Heart Association, November 2020
Chiropractic: Sacroiliac Adjustments Affect Pelvic Angles. Among a group of 100 adults with sacroiliac (SI)
joint dysfunction, researchers observed that a single adjustment of the SI joint resulted in measurable changes in
the pelvic angle. The study reveals that specific chiropractic adjustments can have a positive influence on the
pelvis to help correct anatomical alignment. Health SA Gesondheid, December 2020
Mental Attitude: Paternal Involvement and Later Behavioral and Emotional Issues. A review of data
concerning nearly 5,000 older teens in the United States revealed that those whose fathers were more involved
in their lives from ages 5 to 15 were less likely to have emotional and behaviors problems in late adolescence.
Social Service Review, December 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Tips for a Healthier Life. The United States Preventive Services Task Force offers
these simple steps to live a healthy life, prevent disease, increase longevity, and improve physical, mental, and
emotional health: get regular health screenings, don’t smoke, meet physical activity guidelines, eat a healthy
diet, maintain a healthy weight, and follow your doctor’s advice.
United States Preventive Services Task Force, December 2020
Quote: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston

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

Health Alert: Many Teens Are Driving While Impaired. A nationwide survey of over 6,800 teenagers
revealed that 13% had driven under the influence of marijuana in the previous month. Additionally, 5% reported
they had driven with alcohol in their system during the same time frame. JAMA Network Open, December 2020
Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods Pose Health Risks. Using data concerning over 22,000 participants from the
Moli-sani project, researchers report that a high intake of ultra-processed foods can increase an individual’s risk
for death due to cardiovascular disease by up to 58% in the following eight years.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2020
Exercise: Lower Body Strength in Children Is on the Decline. A review of data from national fitness
assessments conducted since 1960 revealed that performance on the standing broad jump test increased steadily
from 1960 to 1980, slowed in the 1990s, and has declined over the last two decades.
Sports Medicine, December 2020
Chiropractic: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Office Workers. Questionnaires completed by 969 office workers
under the age of 50 revealed that about one in five experience wrist and/or hand symptoms commonly
associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The researchers estimate that working without breaks can
increase the risk for hand and wrist symptoms by up to 88% and that taking frequent breaks could reduce the
incidence of CTS among office workers. BMC Public Health, January 2021
Mental Attitude: Many Teens Who Suffer a Concussion Return to Driving Too Soon. Interviews with 322
adolescent drivers who had sustained a concussion revealed that roughly a third made no changes to their
driving behavior and 1 in 5 returned to driving within two weeks. The findings suggest that roughly half of teen
drivers who sustain a concussion may be back on the road too soon, placing themselves, their passengers, other
drivers, and pedestrians at risk. Journal of Adolescent Health, December 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Yourself from the Flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends the following tips to protect yourself and others from the flu: avoid close contact with people who
are sick; stay home when you are sick; cover your month when coughing or sneezing; stay home when you are
sick; clean your hands; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; and practice other good health habits, such as
cleaning surfaces, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2020
Quote: “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow.” ~ Mary Tyler Moore

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