Health Alert: Extra Weight Increases Risk of Endometrial Cancer. Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of
body fat based on weight and height. An analysis of data concerning nearly 120,000 women from seven countries
revealed that for every five unit increase in BMI, the risk for endometrial cancer rises by 88%.
BMC Medicine, April 2022
Diet: Fast Food Restaurants Increase Diabetes Risk in Nearby Area. According to a recent study, living within
300 meters (~984 feet) of a fast-food restaurant is associated with up to a 16% increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
PLOS Medicine, April 2022
Exercise: Improve Exercise Training By Controlling Your Blood Sugar. New research suggests that high blood
glucose levels may reduce the exercise capacity of skeletal muscles. However, researchers observed that when
normal blood sugar levels are restored, skeletal muscle exercise capacity improves. Diabetes, April 2022
Chiropractic: Prolonged Sitting at Work Affects the Spine. Assessments of office workers revealed that at the
end of an eight-hour workday, participants had experienced a significant reduction in both standing and sitting
height, along with an increase in spinal pain. The findings highlight the importance of breaking up prolonged sitting
time with frequent breaks to stretch or walk.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, March 2022
Mental Attitude: Mental Illness Tied to Heart Problems. An analysis of 108 studies that included more than 30
million people found that individuals with severe mental illness—such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder—have
a two-times greater risk for cardiac-related death than the general population. The authors add, “The increased
relative risk of [cardiovascular disease] diagnosis in more recent decades may be a result of disparity in smoking
prevalence between people with [severe mental illness] and the general population or increased use of
antipsychotics…The changes since the 1990s approximately coincide with the release of newer, second-generation
antipsychotics which are known to have worse metabolic effects.” PLOS Medicine, April 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Choosing the Right Shoe to Reduce Fall Risk. The American Podiatric Medical
Association offers the following recommendations for older adults when choosing a new shoe: check for support on
both sides of the heel, flexibility in the toes, and stability in the middle; make sure to have your feet measured to
ensure proper shoe size when shopping for shoes, and wear socks when trying on shoes; avoid buying shoes that are
uncomfortable when you try them on; and talk to your podiatrist about what shoes are best for your needs.
American Podiatric Medical Association, April 2022
Quote: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard

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

Health Alert: Sleep Troubles Can Affect Kids’ Reading Ability. An analysis of data concerning 339 primary
school students revealed that those with sleep-disordered breathing, daytime sleepiness, and shorter sleep latency
scored up to 7% lower on reading assessments than their peers without trouble sleeping.
British Journal of Educational Psychology, June 2022
Diet: Improve Diet, Reduce Cancer Risk. While specific causes of early onset colorectal cancer remain unclear,
the current research suggests that a diet characterized by a high intake of red and processed meat, refined grains, and
sugar can alter gut microbial composition, which can lead to chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and may
result in a greater risk for colorectal cancer. The findings suggest that adopting a healthier diet pattern may reduce
the risk for colorectal cancer in adults under age 50. New England Journal of Medicine, April 2022
Exercise: Exercise Promotes Longevity. Following an analysis of data from 64 studies, researchers confirm that
individuals with a lifelong history of exercise have a lower risk for early death than their sedentary peers.
International Journal of Epidemiology, May 2022
Chiropractic: Dizziness and Chronic Neck Pain. Among a group of 133 patients under treatment for chronic neck
pain, 43% reported concurrent dizziness. Additionally, those with both neck pain and dizziness were more likely to
experience more intense neck pain and disability, along with lower scores on quality of life assessments. Doctors of
chiropractic are skilled in the management of both neck pain and dizziness, often using a multimodal approach
including manual therapies and specific exercises. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, February 2022
Mental Attitude: Witnessing Domestic Violence in Childhood Can Have Lifelong Consequences. A survey of
more than 17,700 adults revealed that among those who were exposed to chronic parental domestic violence during
childhood, 22.5% had major depression later in life, 15% suffered from anxiety, and nearly 27% had a substance
disorder—all of which are rates significantly higher than those seen in the general population. Study author Dr.
Esme Fuller-Thomson notes, “Our findings underline the risk of long-term negative outcomes of chronic domestic
violence for children, even when the children themselves are not abused.” Journal of Family Violence, April 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Daily Aspirin for Heart Health? For years, experts have recommended taking a daily lowdose aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. However, based on findings from three large-scale studies
that weighed the benefits and risks of this practice, the United States Preventative Services Task Force is now
reversing this recommendation for adults under the age of 60 with exceptions for those with existing heart problems
who already take a low-dose aspirin. Journal of the American Medical Association, April 2022
Quote: “I attribute my success to this—I never gave or took any excuse.” ~ Florence Nightingale

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

Health Alert: Steroid Medications Pose Dangers for Those with Sickle Cell. A review of data on more than
5,100 patients with sickle cell disease found that patients given oral corticosteroids were more likely to be
hospitalized for a vaso-occlusive episode, a condition that can cause intense pain and irreversible organ damage.
Research leader Dr. Ondine Walter adds, “Vaso-occlusive events and related hospitalization appear to follow
corticosteroid prescription fairly quickly… This evidence suggests corticosteroids may be contributing to the events
and should be avoided as much as possible in these patients.” Blood, April 2022
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Preeclampsia Risk. Preeclampsia is marked by a sudden increase in blood
pressure, protein in the urine, or other problems during pregnancy, which can cause serious health problems for
mothers and babies if left untreated. In a study that included over 8,500 expectant mothers, researchers identified an
association between greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and up to a 22% lower risk for preeclampsia. The
findings are encouraging because very few preeclampsia treatments are considered safe or produce any meaningful
benefits. Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2022
Exercise: Aerobic Exercise May Reduce Cardiovascular Risks in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Among a
group of 48 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, those who participated in a twelve-week aerobic exercise
intervention experienced an improvement in both blood vessel function and blood pressure reactivity. The findings
suggest that engaging in an aerobic exercise training program may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease in CKD
patients, which is the leading cause of death for such individuals. Journal of Applied Physiology, April 2022
Chiropractic: Neck Pain and Migraines. A systematic review found that migraine headache patients are three
times more likely than individuals without a history of headache to have neck pain (77% vs. 23.5%). Past research
suggests that addressing cervical spine issues in patients with migraines—with chiropractic care, for example—may
reduce headache frequency and intensity. Cephalagia, February 2022
Mental Attitude: Quitting Smoking Could Stop Alzheimer’s Progression. Past research suggests that smoking
can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s by up to 40%. A recent study found that smokers with mild-cognitive
impairment who quit smoking may be able to slow or stop progression to Alzheimer’s.
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, May 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Safe Neti Pot Use. The Food and Drug Administration offers these guidelines for proper use
of a Neti pot to address clogged sinuses and nasal congestion: wash and dry your hands before each use, thoroughly
clean the Neti pot and dry before each use, use clean water (distilled, filtered, or boiled) to create a saline rinse
solution, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Food and Drug Administration, April 2022
Quote: “Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth.” ~ Ludwig Borne

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

Health Alert: Sleep and Prostate Cancer. Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers report that men with
insomnia have an 11% increased risk for prostate cancer while those who normally take an afternoon nap may
have up to a 9% reduced risk for the disease. Prostate, June 2022
Diet: Poor Diet Increases Diabetes Risk. Following an analysis of data from three studies that included nearly
36,000 health professionals, researchers report that, irrespective of genetic risk, a lower quality diet is
associated with a 30% increased risk of type 2 diabetes. PLOS Medicine, April 2022
Exercise: Lifting Weights May Help Manage Hot Flashes and Night Sweats. For postmenopausal women
who frequently experience moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats,
researchers report that engaging in resistance training three times a week for 15 weeks may result in significant
improvements on menopause-specific health-related quality of life assessments. Climacteric, June 2022
Chiropractic: Spinal Mobilization & Postural Exercises Reduce Headaches. Among a group of 72
cervicogenic headache patients, researchers observed that a four-week intervention that included posture
corrective exercises and spinal mobilization therapy led to significant improvements in headache intensity, neck
pain, and neck disability. Furthermore, the patients continued to report such benefits at a follow-up visit four
weeks after the conclusion of care. Doctors of chiropractic are known to utilize both approaches in the
management of patients with cervicogenic headaches. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, February 2022
Mental Attitude: Mental Health Disorders May Contribute to Dementia Risk. A systematic review of data
from ten studies identified the following mental disorders that may elevate an individual’s risk for dementia:
anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, late-life depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia,
and sleep disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, June 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Driver’s Education Improves Driver Safety. An analysis of data on motor vehicle
crashes among 130,000 drivers under the age of 24 found that those who are required to take driver’s education
classes before obtaining a driver’s license are 27% less likely to be involved in a collision in their first two
months on the road. Additionally, the researchers report that driver’s education class graduates are also 14%
less likely to be involved in a car accident in their first year behind the wheel. The findings are important as
many states only require individuals under age 18 to complete driver’s education classes before taking the
behind the wheel test for their license. JAMA Network Open, April 2022
Quote: “Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.” ~ Burt Bacharach

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