Health Alert: Appendicitis After Age 45 May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk. Using the Taiwan National Health
Insurance Research Database, researchers concluded that patients treated for appendicitis after age 45 not only had
an elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease but they developed it earlier in life than their peers without a history of
appendicitis. The data suggests that doctors should closely monitor their appendicitis patients for signs of cognitive
decline. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, July 2021
Diet: Time-Restricted Eating Reduces Diabetes-Related Nocturnal Hypertension. Diabetics are at increased risk
for nocturnal hypertension, which can elevate the risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes. A recent experiment found
that restricting eating to an eight-hour window can help keep blood pressure from rising overnight in people with
diabetes. PNAS, June 2021
Exercise: Preteen Brains Benefit from Regular Physical Activity. Brain imaging of nearly 6,000 primary schoolaged children showed an association between regular physical activity and more organized, robust, and flexible brain
networks. Lead researcher Dr. Caterina Stamoulis adds, “It didn’t matter what kind of physical activity children were
involved in… It only mattered that they were active… In preteens, a number of brain functions are still developing,
and they can be altered by a number of risk factors. Our results suggest that physical activity has a positive
protective effect across brain regions.” Cerebral Cortex, May 2021
Chiropractic: SI Joint and Back Pain During Pregnancy. Among a group of 320 new mothers, researchers found
that those who experienced low back pain during pregnancy were more likely to have sacroiliac (SI) joint
dysfunction. Past studies have shown that the SI joint is a common sole or contributing cause of back pain and
should be evaluated in patients with low back pain. Doctors of chiropractic often address pregnancy-related back
pain, SI joint pain, and pelvic pain using manual therapies and specific exercises. Acta Radiologica, May 2021
Mental Attitude: An Unhappy Marriage May Shorten a Man’s Life. A three-decade study involving nearly
9,000 men revealed that those who expressed dissatisfaction in their marriage but remained married had a 21%
elevated risk for premature death and a 94% higher risk for stroke. Lead researcher Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari adds,
“Assessing marital satisfaction and appraising the health benefits of marital education programs for young couples
should be implemented as part of health promotion strategies for the general population.”
Journal of Clinical Medicine, June 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Playing Outside Benefits Kids’ Vitamin D Status. According to a study that looked at data
concerning 3,606 children from nine European countries, boys and girls who spend less than one hour a day outdoors
are 1.21 times more likely to be vitamin D deficient than their peers who spend an hour or more each day playing
outside. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2021
Quote: “The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first.” ~ Ginger Rogers
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Sleep Apnea During Childhood Can Spell Heart Trouble for Teens. The result of an eight-year
study that included 421 children found that participants with sleep apnea before adolescence that did not improve
over time are at increased risk for high blood pressure as teens, which can set the stage for poor cardiovascular health
in adulthood. Study author Dr. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza adds, “Because most cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed
in adults and children alike, the problem needs more attention. Sleep apnea and its risk factors should be screened
for, monitored and targeted early in life to prevent future cardiovascular disease.” JAMA Cardiology, June 2021
Diet: Food Choices for Strong Bones. According to a recent article, middle-aged and older adults who eat adequate
protein, fermented dairy products, and at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day are less likely to suffer
fractures associated with poor bone health. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology, July 2021
Exercise: Breathing Workout Can Lower Blood Pressure. High-resistance inspiratory muscle training involves
breathing through a handheld device to strengthen the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. An experiment
involving 36 middle-aged and older adults found that performing this form of training for five minutes a day for six
weeks resulted in similar improvements in blood pressure as walking for 30 minutes a day or taking hypertension
medications. Participants also experienced improvements in endothelial function and reduced inflammation.
Journal of the American Heart Association, June 2021
Chiropractic: Sleep Disturbance and Low Back Pain in Postpartum Women. Assessments of 124 new mothers
revealed that low back and pelvic pain often accompany postpartum sleep disorders. While this study was unable to
determine the nature of this association, past research has shown that sleep disturbance and low back pain can have a
bi-directional relationship, and both conditions may need to be addressed concurrently to achieve a successful
treatment outcome. When appropriate, doctors of chiropractic team up with other healthcare providers to manage
patients with co-occurring musculoskeletal pain and sleep disorders. European Spine Journal, May 2021
Mental Attitude: Spanking Children Doesn’t Work and May Cause Harm. An analysis of over 60 studies
concluded that physical punishment increases child aggression and other behavior problems over time. Study coauthor Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff adds, “Physical punishment is harmful to children’s development and well-being.
There is no evidence that it has any positive outcomes whatsoever.” The Lancet, June 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Improving Blood Pressure Can Significantly Reduce Dementia Risk. Using data from the
National Health Insurance Service National Health Examinee cohort, researchers report that individuals with grade 1
hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) who managed to bring their blood pressure down to an average of 131/81
mmHg over the following decade were half as likely to develop dementia as participants who failed to address their
hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, August 2021
Quote: “You are one of a kind and unique. Never forget that.” ~ Richard Simmons
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Early Signs of MS Often Missed. Researchers examined the insurance records of nearly 198,000
adults and found that those eventually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) were more likely to make doctor visits
for issues such as urinary problems, visual disturbances, abnormal skin sensations, impaired movement, and
dizziness in the time preceding their diagnosis. Recognizing these clusters of symptoms could help doctors identify
patients who may be at increased risk for MS earlier in the course of the disease when treatment may be more
effective. Neurology, June 2021
Diet: Western Diet Linked to Skin & Joint Inflammation. New research suggests that the high-fat, high-sugar
Western diet can negatively affect the population of bacteria in the gut, contributing to skin and joint inflammation
symptoms such a psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. On the other hand, switching to a healthier dietary pattern may help
to reduce these issues. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, June 2021
Exercise: Benefits of Using Dumbbells. The American Council on Exercise notes that incorporating dumbbells into
your workout can offer the following benefits: promotes muscle growth, improves cardiovascular health, aids in
weight loss, leads to greater muscle activation, improves muscle endurance, benefits contractile and elastic
components of muscle tissues, and helps maintain bone health. American Council on Exercise, July 2021
Chiropractic: Myofascial Release Offers Benefits to Those with Back Pain. Myofascial release is a hands-on
technique that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate
pain and restore motion. A recent meta-analysis concluded that myofascial release offers significant benefit for
reducing disability in patients with low back pain. This form of treatment is often used in combination with other
manual therapies and specific exercises in the management of low back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, June 2021
Mental Attitude: People with Anorexia or Depression Feel Things Differently. According to a study that
included over 1,200 participants, half of whom have a history of mental illness, individuals with bipolar disorder,
anxiety, major depression, anorexia, and schizophrenia exhibit altered brain activity in a region of the brain called
the dorsal mid-insula, which helps manage how the body senses internal sensations like pain, hunger, and the need to
use the restroom. American Journal of Psychiatry, June 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Nail Fungus. A fungal nail infection presents as thickening of the nail, often with a
yellow, brown, or chalky white tinge. Once a fungal infection begins, it can be difficult to manage, hence the
importance of taking steps to prevent an infection in the first place. WebMD offers the following prevention tips: be
careful around fungal hotspots by wearing shoes in locker rooms, at swimming pools, or in public showers; clip nails
carefully to avoid skin cuts, which invite infection; and clean your nails with soap and water, using a nailbrush if
needed. WebMD, July 2021
Quote: “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” ~ Seth Godin
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: DNA Test May Help Spot a Range of Cancers. Scientists have developed a new test that looks for
cell-free DNA in blood samples, which is a telltale sign of nearly 50 types of cancerous tumors. Study leader Dr.
Eric Klein “[The test] sets the stage for a new paradigm of screening individuals for multiple cancer with a single
blood test, as opposed to the current situation where we screen for individual cancers.”
Annals of Oncology, June 2021
Diet: Start the Day with Chocolate? A study involving 19 postmenopausal women found that consuming 100
grams of chocolate in the morning positively influenced fat burning and glucose levels throughout the day.
FASEB Journal, June 2021
Exercise: How Get Active in a Sedentary Job. To offset some of the dangers associated with prolonged workrelated sedentary activity, researchers recommend setting an alarm on your phone to go off every 30 minutes to
initiate a quick, two-minute exercise session that may include walking in place, jogging in place, jumping jacks,
walking lunges, sitting down and getting back out of your chair repeatedly, push-ups on the floor or on the edge of
your desk, triceps-dips on the floor or on the edge of your desk, and wall sits. Life and Health Network, July 2021
Chiropractic: Joint Gliding Improves Postural Stability and Pain. Sustained natural apophyseal gliding
(SNAGS) is a form of manual therapy provided by doctors of chiropractic that combines sustained facet (joint)
gliding with active motion followed by overpressure. A study involving 64 patients suffering from flexion-dominant
chronic low back pain found that SNAG is effective for reducing pain and improving postural stability patients with
this condition. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, May 2021
Mental Attitude: Romantic Couples Often Start Out As Friends. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 1,900
college students and adults and found that 68% had current or recent romantic relationships that began as a
friendship. Researcher Dr. Danu Anthony Stinson explains, “Relationships are super important for people’s lives.
People want to choose good partners. They want to make choices that are going to help support their well-being,
their goals, all these kinds of things.” Social Psychological and Personality Science, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Playground Safety Tips. Each year, more than 200,000 children end up in the emergency
room as the result of a playground-related injury. To help reduce the risk for such injuries, Children’s Health
recommends the following: choose the right playground equipment for your child’s age and skills; when possible,
choose playgrounds with surfaces made from wood chips or shredded rubber to lessen the risk of injury; dress your
child properly and avoid necklaces, scarves, purses, or clothing that could get caught around their neck or pose a
hazard; use play equipment properly (don’t climb slides or jump from swings); and supervise your child closely
while playing on the monkey bars, which cause half of all serious playground falls. Children’s Health, July 2021
Quote: “Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Migraines Linked to Increased Risk for Pregnancy Complications. Researchers analyzed over
145,000 pregnancies and found that women with a history of migraine had a higher risk of obstetric and postpartum
complications, such as gestational diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and blood clots. Study author Dr. Nirit Lev notes, “Our
study confirms that women who suffer from migraine are at a greater risk of a host of medical and obstetric
complications. As such, we are [recommending] that these women should be classed as ‘high-risk’ pregnancies and
should therefore be treated according to a high-risk protocol.” European Academy of Neurology, June 2021
Diet: Western Diet Contributes to Chronic Pain. New research suggests that the typical Western diet, which is
high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, is a significant risk factor for both inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Additionally, the researchers observed that adopting a healthier diet can significantly reduce—and in some cases
even reverse—these types of pain. Nature Metabolism, June 2021
Exercise: Overtraining Can Impair Mitochondrial Function. Mitochondrial capacity is the ability of the body to
generate energy and is a factor associated with increased athletic performance, especially endurance exercise. In a
new study, researchers found that performing too much intense exercise can impair mitochondrial capacity within
four weeks. Journal of Applied Physiology, June 2021
Chiropractic: Can Foot Pronation Cause Back Pain? In a recent experiment, participants wore special shoes that
induced pronation (inward roll) of the foot while walking. This resulted in altered pelvic and hip motion—more
specifically, pelvic position was more inclined on the contralateral side during loading phase of gait, there was less
rotation of the pelvis to the contralateral leg, and the hip also tended to be more internally rotated—which could
contribute to pelvic and lower back disorders over time. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to assess and correct foot
biomechanics to promote normal gait patterns. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, May 2021
Mental Attitude: A-Fib Can Affect Cognitive Function. Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is a common heart-rhythm
disorder that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. A review of data from 43
studies found that A-Fib is associated with an elevated risk for both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Journal of General Internal Medicine, July 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Supplement Can Benefit Bone and Muscle Health. Low vitamin D status is
associated with poor bone health and a reduced ability for muscle to repair itself following exercise. In an
experiment involving female basketball players with inadequate vitamin D serum levels, researchers found that
taking a daily 4,000 IU vitamin D supplement improved their vitamin D status, as well as their bone and muscle
health. European Journal of Sports Science, July 2021
Quote: “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” ~ Arthur Ashe
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.