Health Alert: Diagnostic Errors Harm Nearly 800,000 Americans Each Year. Johns Hopkins Medicine
researchers report that approximately 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled each year due to
diagnostic errors that result in either delayed or unnecessary treatment, most commonly vascular events,
infections, and cancers. Lead investigator Dr. Newman-Toker adds, “Diagnostic errors are, by a wide margin,
the most under resourced public health crisis we face, yet research funding only recently reached the $20
million per year mark. If we are to achieve diagnostic excellence and the goal of zero preventable harm from
diagnostic error, we must continue to invest in efforts to achieve success.” BMJ Quality & Safety, July 2023
Diet: Teens Don’t Eat Enough Fruit and Vegetables! Using data from the 2007-2018 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers report that less than 15% of teenagers consume at least one serving
of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables or dark green vegetables each day. Most dietary guidelines for
adolescents recommend at least two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables each day.
Current Developments in Nutrition, August 2023
Exercise: Strong Hips and Running. Examinations of 122 runners revealed that having stronger hips not only
improves running performance but may also be protective against running-related injury.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, August 2023
Chiropractic: Addressing Neck Issues Benefits Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients. For patients with carpal
tunnel syndrome, a recent study found that including manual therapies to address musculoskeletal disorders of
the cervical spine to standard treatment resulted in better outcomes as demonstrated with electrodiagnostic
testing. Doctors of chiropractic routinely assess the full course of the median nerve when examining CTS
patients as compression of the median nerve beyond the wrist can contribute to or even cause CTS-associated
symptoms. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Mental and Physical Exercise Benefits the Brain. Over the course of a five-month study,
researchers observed that the combination of physical exercise and cognitive training improved thinking skills
in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. JAMA Network Open, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Stop Biting Your Nails. According to a recent study, about half of individuals who
experience body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), such as nail-biting or skin-picking, may benefit from a
strategy called habit replacement, which involves gently touching the skin, such as rubbing fingertips or the
back of the arm, at least twice a day for six weeks. JAMA Dermatology, July 2023
Quote: “He who lives by the crystal ball will eat shattered glass.” ~ Ray Dalio

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Health Alert: Gestational Diabetes May Raise Obesity Risk in Offspring. In a recent study, researchers
observed that children born to mothers considered at risk for gestational diabetes during pregnancy (geriatric
pregnancy, family history of diabetes, overweight before pregnancy, previous birth to child large for gestational
age) were three times more likely to be overweight or obese at age seven than the offspring of women with no
gestational diabetes risk factors during pregnancy.
Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, July 2023
Diet: Limiting Eating to the Start of the Day Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels. New research suggests
that individuals at risk for diabetes diagnosis can better stabilize and control their blood glucose levels by
switching to that early time-restricted feeding, a form of intermittent fasting in which eating is limited to the
first 6-8 hours of the day. Endocrine Society, June 2023
Exercise: Get Moving Quickly After a Concussion to Heal Faster. A study that monitored outcomes of more
than 1,200 college athletes who sustained a mild-traumatic brain injury found that those who engaged in light
exercise shortly after their concussion recovered two times faster than their peers who waited more than a week
before resuming any form of physical activity. Sports Medicine, May 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Biceps Tendinopathy Shoulder Pain. A panel of 29 international experts
reviewed the available literature on 61 different treatment approaches for biceps tendinopathy shoulder pain, or
shoulder pain caused by inflammation of the tendon attached to the long head of the bicep muscle. Both thrust
and non-thrust manual therapy received the highest scores from the panel and are often utilized by doctors of
chiropractic when managing patients with this form of shoulder pain.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Suicides Continue to Rise Among Young Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reports that since 2007, the rate of suicide among 10- to 24-year-old Americans rose by more than
60%, now accounting for about 7,000 deaths a year for individuals in this age group. Researchers note that
factors such as isolation, depression, financial problems, and trauma contribute to these trends.
NCHS Data Brief, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Hearing Loss is a Sign of More Health Problems. Using data from a large cohort
study that included 4.7 million older adults, researchers found that those with hearing loss had an increased risk
for hospitalization, falls, adverse drug reactions, heart attack, stroke, and dementia over the following 14 years
than participants without hearing loss. EClinicalMedicine, June 2023
Quote: “We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life.” ~ William Osler

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Health Alert: More Than One Billion People May Be Type 2 Diabetics in 2050. Within 30 years, researchers
estimate that the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will rise from 500 million to 1.3 billion. While
obesity remains a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a poor diet and physical inactivity can also contribute to the
disease, which can elevate the risk for poor health outcomes such as heart attack and stroke. The Lancet, June 2023
Diet: Low Iron Levels Common in Reproductive-Age Females. According to a recent study, nearly 40% of
women in the United States have insufficient iron levels, which can affect sleep, cognitive function, vitality, and
mood. Experts note that iron levels can be assessed with a simple blood test and can be improved by eating a healthy
diet that includes iron-rich foods, though an iron supplement may also be recommended for some women.
Journal of the American Medical Association, June 2023
Exercise: Time-Restricted Diet May Improve Endurance Running Performance. In a recent animal study,
researchers observed that mice that only had access to food during short windows of time, similar to intermittent
fasting, were able to run for longer than rodents with no food restrictions. Future research will focus on whether such
benefits may extend to humans. Nature Metabolism, June 2023
Chiropractic: Hamstring Issues Common in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. Examinations of patients with
chronic low back pain revealed an association between hamstring muscle shortness and higher levels of low backrelated pain intensity and disability. The findings suggest that the hamstrings should be assessed in patients with
chronic low back pain. Medical Science Monitor, March 2023
Mental Attitude: Growing Up Poor May Rewire the Brain. Washington University School of Medicine
researchers report that individuals who grew up in poverty have lower white matter integrity between key areas of
the brain, which can affect both mental health and visuospatial skills. The research team posits this may be due to the
effect of childhood obesity, poor diet, and limited cognitive stimulation on brain development, a combination that
may be more common among disadvantaged children. JAMA Network Open, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: How to Recognize and Prevent Heat Stroke. The American Heart Association notes that
heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, and dizziness are common signs of heat stroke, a potentially fatal
condition. To reduce the risk for heat stroke, the association recommends refraining from strenuous activities during
the hottest part of the day; drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol; wearing weather-appropriate
clothing, including a hat; and spending as much time in the shade as possible.
American Heart Association, June 2023
Quote: “Reading is a means of thinking with another person’s mind; it forces you to stretch your own.”
~ Charles Scribner, Jr.

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

Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin May Raise Anemia Risks Among Older Adults. Anemia is a condition caused
by low levels of iron in the blood, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and a decline in overall function in
older people. A recent study found that taking a daily low-dose aspirin may raise the risk for anemia in seniors by
more than 20%. The findings highlight the need for careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits of aspirin
use in older adults. Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2023
Diet: Heart-Healthy Diet Pattern. Following an analysis of data concerning more than 245,000 adults from 80
countries, researchers report that a diet characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and
whole-fat dairy products is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease.
European Heart Journal, July 2023
Exercise: Hot Yoga Counters Effects of High-Salt Diet. Hot yoga is a type of yoga that takes place in a hot (more
than 105 degrees Fahrenheit) and humid environment. In a recent study, researchers found that practicing hot yoga
for just four weeks can reduce blood pressure and improve arterial function, even for individuals who normally
consume a high-salt diet. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, June 2023
Chiropractic: When Playing an Instrument Causes Musculoskeletal Pain… Playing-related musculoskeletal
disorders (PRMD) are one of the most common issues that affect a musician’s ability to play their instrument and
maintain their career. Among a group of 32 musicians with PRMD, those who received six weeks of treatment that
included manual therapies—such as those commonly provided by doctors of chiropractic—reported greater
improvements in pain than participants in a control group. Frontiers of Pain Research, June 2023
Mental Attitude: Diabetes and Unhealthy Lifestyle Can Triple Dementia Risk. The American Heart
Association’s Life’s Simple 7 is a metric of behaviors—not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy
diet, getting regular exercise, and managing healthy blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels—that can
reduce the risk for heart disease. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that type 2 diabetics with
four or fewer of these behaviors are two to three times more likely to develop dementia than non-diabetics with five
or more of the Simple 7 healthy behaviors. Diabetes, Obesity, & Metabolism, July 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Be Cautious for Ticks. Warmer weather prompts many people to engage in outdoor
activities that can place them at risk for crossing paths with ticks. Experts from Penn State Health note that if you’re
going to spend time in nature, use repellents, wear light-colored clothes, and check for ticks before heading home. If
you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers and be on alert for any symptoms of illness.
Penn State Health, June 2023
Quote: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle

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Health Alert: Risk Factors for Uncontrolled Adult-Onset Asthma. Examinations of 227 individuals with adultonset asthma revealed that chronic inflammation, allergic rhinitis, ischemic heart disease, malignancy, and mood
disorders are potential risk factors for poor asthma control. The findings suggest that uncontrolled asthma in adults
may be a sign of potentially more serious mental and physical health issues. Journal of Asthma, July 2023
Diet: Intermittent Fasting and Traditional Calorie Counting Both Aid Weight Loss. Researchers assigned 90
obese adults to one of three groups: eating restricted to an eight-hour window each day; reducing total daily calorie
intake by 25%; and no eating restrictions whatsoever. After one year, the research team observed that both time- and
calorie-restricted eating provided similar weight loss benefits when compared with the control group.
Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2023
Exercise: High-Intensity Interval Training Can Fight Fatty Liver Disease. High-intensity interval training
(HIIT) is a form of exercise that involves short intervals of near-maximal effort—such as sprinting or stair
climbing—separated by intervals of moderate-intensity exercise—such as jogging or fast walking. In a recent study,
researchers found that patients with fatty liver disease who engaged in a twelve-week HIIT intervention experienced
clinically significant reductions in fat in the liver. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, June 2023
Chiropractic: Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain. A recent randomized-controlled trial found that the
combination of patient education and soft tissue mobilization is effective for improving pain and disability in
patients with chronic low back pain with central sensitization (hypersensitivity to stimuli from things that are not
usually painful). Doctors of chiropractic often include patient education and soft tissue mobilization in a multimodal
approach to manage chronic low back pain. Biomedicines, April 2023
Mental Attitude: Social Lives Thrive in Walk-Friendly Neighborhoods. New research suggests that residents of
neighborhoods designed to encourage walking for leisure or transportation have a stronger sense of community and
have more opportunities to socially engage with their neighbors. The findings add to a growing body of research on
the benefits of highly walkable neighborhoods. Health & Place, June 2023
Wellness/Prevention: Body Mass Index Not Enough to Assess Weight Status. Body mass index (BMI) is an
estimate of body fat based on weight and height and is commonly used to categorize an individual’s weight status as
underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Because this method is unable to take into account additional
factors such as muscle mass, age, sex, and genetics, the American Heart Association recommends healthcare
providers consider alternative measures such as waist-to-hip ratio or the body adiposity index in order to better
advise patients on their weight status. American Heart Association, June 2023
Quote: “Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well too.”
~ David Storey

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