Health Alert: Smoking Increases Sleep Apnea Risk. A pack year is the number of cigarettes smoked if a person
smokes one pack a day for a year. A systematic review of thirteen studies concluded that smoking increases one’s
risk for severe obstructive sleep apnea, especially heavy smokers with a history of 20 or more pack years.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, August 2022
Diet: Diet Choices May Help Prevent Kidney Stones. Questionnaires completed by 411 kidney stone patients and
384 individuals without a history of kidney stones revealed that a low intake of fluids and a diet low in calcium and
potassium are linked to a greater risk of experiencing a first-time symptomatic kidney stone.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, July 2022
Exercise: Physical Activity Can Help an Aging Brain. Among a group of 300 sedentary older adults with mildcognitive impairment, those who participated in either aerobic exercise or a stretching and balance intervention did
not experience worsening performance on cognitive assessments a year later, nor did brain scans show any sign of
additional brain shrinkage. On the other hand, subjects who did not exercise experienced significant cognitive
decline during the course of the study. Associated Press, July 2022
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Help Patients with Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis. For patients with osteoarthritis
of the hip or knee, an analysis of data from 19 clinical trials found that the addition of manual therapy to exercise
therapy may lead to better outcomes with respect to pain, function, and stiffness than exercise alone. Doctors of
chiropractic often adopt a multimodal approach that includes exercise and manual therapies in the management of
patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, July 2022
Mental Attitude: The Brain Functions Differently with ADHD. Functional MRI scans of 360 children and teens
revealed that those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibited altered function in several brain
networks, including those involved with attention, executive function, and processing visual and sensory
information. Molecular Psychiatry, July 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Make Health a Family Affair. Because eating and exercising together during the week can
help family members get and stay healthy, the American Heart Association recommends the following: keep a
family schedule, and find 30-minute periods during the week that the entire family can exercise; choose a time that
the entire family can decide on the upcoming week’s menu; find ways to manage stress as a family; and make sure
everyone in the family does their part to help out around the house. American Heart Association, July 2022
Quote: “Do what you say you’re going to do. And try to do it a little better than you said you would.” ~ Jimmy Dean

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

Health Alert: Death Rate from Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Has Quadrupled in the Last 20 years. According
to a recent study, deaths from alcoholic cirrhosis in the United States increased 400% between 1999 and 2019,
from 4,000 to 24,000 per year. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Hennekens notes, “My hypothesis is that the reason
we’re seeing more of liver disease earlier is not just that people are drinking more, but that they’re eating more
and exercising less, so the damage to the liver is accelerating.” American Journal of Medicine, June 2022
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit the Heart. Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis,
researchers estimate that a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease by
nearly 20% during a 15-year time frame. Atherosclerosis, July 2022
Exercise: Boxing May Be a Good Exercise to Curb Parkinson’s Symptoms. For patients with Parkinson’s
disease, a recent study found that participating in a three-month boxing program may ease both motor and nonmotor Parkinson’s symptoms. Study co-author Dr. Roshni Patel adds, “There’s a lot of growing evidence about
the benefits of exercise in Parkinson’s… This is another study that highlights the importance of exercise in the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It should be a part of our treatment, just like medicines are.”
American Academy of Neurology, April 2022
Chiropractic: Try Conservative Care Before Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis
(LSS) is a debilitating condition associated with the degeneration of the spine, which can have a wide range of
symptoms including back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs and impaired physical function. A
recent study found that for patients with mild-to-moderate LSS, conservative treatment that includes manual
therapies, supervised exercises, and aerobic training may provide similar long-term benefits with respect to pain
and disability as decompression surgery with or without spinal fusion. Doctors of chiropractic often employ
such an approach in the management of LSS. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, July 2022
Mental Attitude: Hearing Loss Linked to Depression. Following a review of data from the Aidai Cohort
study, researchers report that hearing loss in middle age is associated with a 2.7 times increased risk for
depressive symptoms. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, September 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Tongue and Lip Piercings Can Harm Teeth and Gums. An analysis of data from
eight studies identified the following potential consequences of oral piercings: deeper pockets around teeth next
to tongue piercings, receding gums, wider gaps between teeth, and bleeding gums.
European Federation of Periodontology, June 2022
Quote: “It is what we know already that often prevents us from learning.” ~ Claude Bernard

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

Health Alert: Green Spaces May Lower Risk for Several Cancers. According to a study that monitored
144,427 adults who resided in the same city for 20 years, those who lived in neighborhoods with more greenery
had a lower risk for cancer of the lung, bladder, breast, prostate, and skin. The findings suggest that increasing
the amount of green space in urban environments could reduce the overall incidence of several cancers.
Environmental Research, September 2022
Diet: Eat More Fruit, Vegetables, and Beans! Assessments of over 1,800 middle-aged and older adults
revealed that a low intake of fruit, vegetables, and legumes is associated with a nearly two-times increased risk
for being overweight or obese. Medicine, July 2022
Exercise: Most Teens Don’t Get Enough Exercise. An analysis of survey data completed by over 360,000
high school students found that 75% failed to meet late adolescent fitness guidelines recommendations of 60
minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day. Journal of Adolescence, June 2022
Chiropractic: Multimodal Approach Best for Chronic Low Back Pain. Among a group of 69 adults with
chronic low back pain, those who received a multimodal treatment plan that included manual therapies, specific
exercises, and patient education—an approach often used by doctors of chiropractic—experienced greater
improvements in pain and disability than participants provided with only patient education or patient education
combined with manual therapy. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, July 2022
Mental Attitude: Cyberbullying May Be Worse Than Offline Bullying. Questionnaires completed by nearly
10,000 10- to 13-year-old children revealed that those subjected to bullying online were more likely to have
suicidal thoughts than their peers who are victims of offline bullying. Senior study author Dr. Ran Barzilay
writes, “At a time when young adolescents are spending more time online than ever before, this study
underscores the negative impact that bullying in the virtual space can have on its targets.”
JAMA Network Open, June 2022
Wellness/Prevention: How to Manage Pet Allergies. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology recommends the following for individuals with a pet allergy: limit time spent around pets; use a
nasal spray, an antihistamine, or bronchodilator, as directed by your allergist; talk to your doctor about
additional treatment options; avoid letting pets into your bedroom; wash your hands immediately after touching
pets; bathe pets weekly; and use a high-efficiency vacuum or HEPA air filter at home to reduce allergens.
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, June 2022
Quote: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” ~ Jimmy Johnson

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

Health Alert: Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke Linked to Cervical Cancer Risk. Third-hand smoke is
the invisible remnant of tobacco smoke that clings to surfaces. An analysis of data from the China Kadoorie
Biobank study found that women with frequent exposure to either second-hand or third-hand smoke had a 22-
24% increased risk for cervical cancer over the following decade when compared with their peers with less
exposure to cigarette use. Environmental Research, September 2022
Diet: Eat the Rainbow. The carotenoids, flavonoids, betalains, and chlorophylls that give color to various fruit
and vegetables are known to confer health benefits when part of one’s diet. An analysis of data from 86 studies
with more than 37 million participants found the 42% of the health benefits associated with consuming fruit and
vegetables are derived from these bioactive compounds and that individuals should strive to eat produce that’s
red, orange, yellow, white, purple, blue, and green. Molecules, June 2022
Exercise: Exercise at Work. If your workplace includes access to a gym, the American Council on Exercise
offers the following recommendations: schedule exercise on your daily calendar; pack workout clothes and get
to work early, if needed; bring toiletries if the gym has showers; ask a co-worker to exercise with you; and keep
a fresh change of work clothes at your desk, if needed. American Council on Exercise, June 2022
Chiropractic: Low Back Pain in Working Adults. Questionnaires completed by working-age adults not
currently under care for low back pain revealed that 46.5% currently had some degree of low back pain and
72.3% presently experienced some level of low back-related disability. The findings reveal that many non-careseeking workers have low back pain and/or disability, which suggests that some level of pain and disability
could be considered normal, acceptable, or manageable. Chiropractic care offers a conservative treatment
approach for the management of low back pain and/or disability.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, August 2022
Mental Attitude: Vitamin D May Help Prevent to Dementia. According to a recent study, low vitamin D
status may be a risk factor for dementia and up to 17% of dementia cases could be prevented by increasing
vitamin D levels to 50 nmol/L. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Wellness Visits Help Prevents Diabetes Amputation. New research finds that elderly
type 2 diabetics who make annual wellness visits have a 36% reduced risk for major lower-extremity
amputations. University of Virginia, June 2022
Quote: “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
~ David Brinkley

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

Health Alert: Many THC-Free CBD Products Contain THC. Tetrahydrocannobinol (THC) is a chemical in
marijuana that causes intoxication. An analysis of 80 different readily available THC-free cannabidiol (CBD)
products found that about 60% of these products did contain THC. The researchers note that most contained
only trace amounts of THC, but these amounts can accumulate in the body and be detected by a drug test. The
Partnership to End Addiction in New York City adds, “Consumers deserve accurate marketing claims and if
they choose to buy CBD, to know exactly what’s in the product… It’s been like the Wild West for quite some
time as CBD products proliferate, advertised for numerous maladies without research to substantiate it and
without oversight on quality control.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 2022
Diet: Use Salt Less? Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that individuals who nearly
always add salt to their food may live two fewer years than those who rarely/never add salt to their meals. The
findings suggest that using herbs or spicy to flavor food, in lieu of salt, may increase one’s longevity.
European Heart Journal, July 2022
Exercise: Just 10 Minutes… Following a review of data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
study, researchers estimate that replacing just ten minutes a day of sedentary activity with exercise of any
intensity can have a positive benefit on one’s waistline. Cancer Causes & Control, August 2022
Chiropractic: Neck Disorder May Worsen Jaw Pain and Function. Examinations of temporomandibular
(TMD) patients revealed that those with restricted cervical range of motion experienced more severe TMDrelated pain and disability than TMD patients with normal cervical range of motion. The findings suggest that
dysfunction in the cervical spine may play a role in TMD and treatment to restore normal motion in the neck—
such as chiropractic care—may be necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Cranio, July 2022
Mental Attitude: Nearly Half of Seniors Have Had Ageist Experiences. Questionnaires completed by more
than 2,000 older adults revealed that 45% had a personal experience in which someone assumed they had
difficulty with using technology or with their vision, hearing, or memory due to their age.
JAMA Network Open, June 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D Linked to Miscarriage? An analysis of data from ten studies identified
an association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and a 60% increased risk of miscarriage. Future
studies may investigate if improving vitamin D status in women at risk for miscarriage may improve their
chances for a successful pregnancy. Fertility & Sterility, July 2022
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: Prediabetes Linked to Heart Attack. Prediabetes is a term used to describe elevated
blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. An analysis of data
regarding 1.79 million hospitalizations for myocardial infarction found that prediabetes increases an
individual’s risk for heart attack by 25%, percutaneous intervention (angioplasty) by 45%, and heart
bypass surgery by 200%. Endocrine Society, June 2022
Diet: Fruit, Vegetables, and Kidney Health. Following a review of data from the National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers have observed an association between chronic kidney
disease and a low intake of fruit and vegetables. Journal of Renal Nutrition, July 2022
Exercise: The Least Active Day for Older People Is… According to a study that monitored the
activity of 459 older adults, seniors are least active on Sundays, averaging just 22.5 minutes of exercise
and spending 453.9 minutes engaged in sedentary activities. Preventative Medicine Reports, June 2022
Chiropractic: Improved Posture. A literature review found that manual therapy techniques—such as
those used by doctors of chiropractic—are an effective intervention for improving lateral pelvic tilt and
reducing forward head posture and thoracic kyphosis. Gait & Posture, June 2022
Mental Attitude: Exercise May Slow Cognitive Decline. A recent systematic review found that
engaging in aerobic exercise and resistance training may slow or reverse mild-cognitive impairment.
The findings suggest that physical activity should be included in a multimodal approach to address
cognitive decline. Journal of Affective Disorders, August 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Want Young Looking Skin? The American Academy of Dermatology offers
the following tips for younger looking skin: use sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer daily; choose
products that address your specific concerns, such as dark spots or wrinkles; choose products designed
for your skin type, such as dry, oily, or sensitive; choose hypoallergenic products that won’t clog your
pores and that offer a hotline for questions; and be realistic about what these skin care products can do
for your skin. American Academy of Dermatology, June 2022
Quote: “Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.” ~ Norman Ralph Augustine

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