WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Rio Vista Chiropractor 4-17-2023

Health Alert: Irregular Sleep Schedule Increases Heart Risks for Seniors. New research suggests that adults
with an inconsistent sleep schedule have an elevated risk for a high coronary artery calcium score, plaque build-up in
the carotid artery, and abnormal results on assessments of blood vessel stiffness. Sleep expert Dr. Raj Dasgupta adds,
“If you have any risk factors for [heart disease] such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, family
history of heart disease, or are overweight, having a regular sleep schedule should be a priority along with addressing
other modifiable risk factors to reduce your chance of developing atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack or
stroke.” Journal of the American Heart Association, February 2023
Diet: Diverse Diet Benefits Women’s Cognitive Health. Following an analysis of ten years of data concerning
nearly 40,000 adults, researchers report that women who consume a diverse diet may be up to a third less likely to
develop dementia than those who eat only a limited number of foods. Clinical Nutrition, April 2023
Exercise: Physically Demanding Work May Increase Male Fertility. According to a recent study, men whose
work activities include frequent lifting and moving of heavy objects have higher sperm counts and concentration
than those with less physical jobs. First author Dr. Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón writes, “What these new findings suggest
is that physical activity during work may also be associated with significant improvement in men’s reproductive
potential.” Human Reproduction, February 2023
Chiropractic: Many People Are Misguided on Low Back Pain. A recent survey found that 68% of adults falsely
believe that rest is the best treatment for low back pain and incorrectly think remaining physically active while
dealing with low back pain is unnecessary. Doctors of chiropractic routinely advise patients to stay active within
pain tolerance and avoid prolonged bed rest when managing an episode of low back pain.
Joint Bone Spine, January 2023
Mental Attitude: Breathing Exercises May Hasten Concussion Recovery. In this study, researchers recruited 30
teenagers with concussion symptoms lasting longer than one month to participate in a breathing exercise intervention
with or without aerobic exercise and found that the combination of breathing and aerobic exercise contributed to a
speedier recovery. American Academy of Neurology, April 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Lifestyle Changes for Better Blood Pressure Management. The Mayo Clinic offers the
following natural recommendations for individuals to lower their blood pressure: lose weight, get regular exercise,
reduce sodium intake, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, don’t smoke, learn to manage stress, get adequate sleep,
monitor blood pressure at home, and let your family and friends know your goals so they can support your choices.
Mayo Clinic, February 2023
Quote: “Success is the sweetest revenge.” ~ Vanessa Williams

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