Health Alert: Nearly Half of Counties in United States Have No Cardiologists. Due to factors including
being largely rural or economically disadvantaged, 46% of counties in the United States lack a practicing
cardiologist, which can place residents at a 31% higher risk for heart disease.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, July 2024
Diet: Food Insecure Individuals Experience Health Benefits from Food Bank Access. For individuals
facing food insecurity, Northeastern University researchers report that taking advantage of a food bank can be
important for improving overall health, including reducing the risk for metabolic disease.
Northeastern University, July 2024
Exercise: Before Taking Up Weightlifting in Older Age… Resistance training later in life can help preserve
muscle mass, reducing the risk for frailty and poor health. However, due to the increased likelihood of
conditions like cardiovascular disease and joint pain among seniors, it’s important for older adults to consult
with their healthcare provider before starting any exercise routine.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, July 2024
Chiropractic: Back Muscle Stiffness and Low Back Pain. A systematic review that included nine studies
found that stiffness in the multifidus and erector spinae muscles is associated with low back pain. Doctors of
chiropractic often utilize manual therapies and exercises to address core muscle stiffness in low back pain
patients. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2024
Mental Attitude: Women More Likely to Receive Mental Health Treatment Following Cardiac Arrest.
An analysis of long-term data concerning nearly 1,300 heart attack survivors revealed that women are 50%
more likely than men to receive treatment for depression and anxiety in the year following cardiac arrest.
However, it’s unclear if female patients are at greater risk for post-heart attack mental health issues or if they
are more likely to share these concerns with their healthcare provider.
Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, July 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Men’s Cancer Screening Trends Highlight Urgent Need for Health Advocacy. In a
recent survey conducted by The Prevent Cancer Foundation, 60% of men admitted to being overdue for at least
one routine cancer screening. The group reminds everyone that in the absence of screenings, many cancers may
not be detected until they have sufficiently advanced and treatment will be more difficult and less likely to
produce a satisfactory outcome. Prevent Cancer Foundation, June 2024
Quote: “Remember, tomorrow is promised to no one.” ~ Walter Payton

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

Health Alert: Transportation Pollution Can Affect Metabolic Health. Using data from the Community of
Mine Study, researchers report that the combination of airplane noise and fine-particulate matter air pollution
from motor vehicles is associated with an elevated risk for both obesity and metabolic syndrome. The finding
adds to a growing body of research linking air and noise pollution with worse health outcomes.
American Journal of Epidemiology, June 2024
Diet: Dad’s Diet May Influence Children’s Health. A recent animal study found that a high-fat diet can
influence gene expression in sperm, which can increase an offspring’s risk for metabolic diseases. While it’s
unclear if this finding extends to humans, the results suggest men looking to become fathers should take steps to
live a healthier lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet. Nature, June 2024
Exercise: 10,000 Steps a Day? While the concept of taking 10,000 steps a day is believed to have originated
from a successful marketing campaign for a pedometer in Japan, there’s research to suggest that averaging
7,000 to 8,000 steps a day does offer health benefits. However, health experts note that it’s also important to
engage in more intense physical activity as well as strength training and flexibility exercises each week.
Northeastern University, June 2024
Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First for Radicular Low Back Pain. For patients with radicular low back
pain, an analysis of data concerning 115 million patients revealed that those initially treated with spinal
manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—were 68% less
likely to receive a prescription for the narcotic tramadol in the following year. BMJ Open, May 2024
Mental Attitude: Failure’s “Benefits” May Be Overrated. Contrary to popular belief, a recent study revealed
that most people find failure to be demotivating and ego-threatening, which results in them not learning
important lessons to move them toward future success.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, June 2024
Wellness/Prevention: New App Helps Identify Subtle Signs of Stroke. Engineers from the Royal Melbourne
Institute of Technology have developed a smartphone app that can analyze facial symmetry and muscle
movements to detect the subtle signs of stroke that can easily be missed by paramedics. It’s hoped that with
further refinement, such an app can be rolled out to emergency service providers to aid in identifying if an
individual has suffered a stroke so prompt treatment can be provided.
Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, June 2024
Quote: “Procrastination is the thief of time.” ~ Edward Young

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

Health Alert: Obesity May Be Driving Factor for Disturbing Rise in Colorectal Cancers. Tufts University
reports that colorectal cancer cases among patients under 50 have steadily risen in the last 30 years, and these
cancers are often not diagnosed until later stages, which is linked to worse outcomes. Researchers suspect this
increase in colorectal cancers in younger adults is largely due to the obesity epidemic.
Tufts University, June 2024
Diet: Energy Drinks May Trigger Heart Arrhythmia in High-Risk Patients. Researchers note that energy
drinks contain ingredients that can potentially alter heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase the risk
for cardiac arrhythmias in individuals at high elevated risk for heart disease. Heart Rhythm, June 2024
Exercise: Get Off the Couch! Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study, researchers estimate that swapping
out one hour of sedentary TV time with physical activity or even extra sleep can increase the chances for living
beyond age 70 without major chronic disease or memory impairment by up to 28%.
JAMA Network Open, June 2024
Chiropractic: Poor Ergonomics Can Quickly Lead to Musculoskeletal Pain. In a recent experiment,
researchers observed that even as few as five minutes of continuous work in awkward postures can increase the
risk for musculoskeletal pain. The findings suggest that improved ergonomics to minimize time spent in nonneutral
postures could reduce the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health, June 2024
Mental Attitude: Managing Non-Motor Parkinsons’s Symptoms. A systematic review that included 36
studies found evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, and repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as depression,
anxiety, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, April 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Chronic Stress Levels Can Impair Health. Cortisol, more commonly known as the
stress hormone, is important during times of stress to mobilize energy and immune function. However,
chronically elevated cortisol levels can be detrimental to health, highlighting the importance of stress
management strategies like eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and practicing mindfulness.
Tufts University, June 2024
Quote: “Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a
greater need than our own.” ~ Harmon Killebrew

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

Health Alert: 9/11 Responders May Face Greater Risk for Dementia. New research suggests that
individuals exposed to higher levels of toxic dust during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade
Center site following the September 11 attacks have an elevated risk for early-onset dementia when compared
with their peers with no exposure or who wore effective personal protective equipment.
JAMA Network Open, June 2024
Diet: Healthy Eating Makes Teens Happier. Using data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children
study, researchers report that eating breakfast and fruit and vegetables daily are both associated with a greater
sense of life satisfaction in adolescents.
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, May 2024
Exercise: Sit Less to Reduce Back Pain Risk. An analysis of data from the UK Biobank study revealed that
for each hour of sedentary behavior per day that an individual exchanges for physical activity, their risk for low
back pain falls by up to 8%. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, April 2024
Chiropractic: Trigger Points and Tension-Type Headache. A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable
spot found in skeletal muscle that is associated with chronic pain conditions. In a recent experiment that
included 32 tension-type headache patients, researchers observed that addressing trigger points in the head and
neck muscles resulted in a significant decline in headache intensity. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to
recognize and resolve trigger points when managing musculoskeletal conditions, including tension-type
headaches. Journal of Personalized Medicine, March 2024
Mental Attitude: Excessive Social Media Use Can Take a Toll on Mental Health. Questionnaires completed
by 600 medical school students revealed an association between using social media for five or more hours a day
and an elevated risk for anxiety, sadness, and stress.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion, April 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Summertime Skin Protection Tips for Parents. To best protect a child’s skin this
summer, pediatric dermatologist Dr. Jayden Galamgam recommends avoiding insect-heavy areas; dressing your
child in protective clothing; using appropriate insect repellents; properly cleaning minor scrapes and cuts; using
a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least 30 SPF); minimizing sun exposure during peak hours; and in the event of
sunburn, use a cool compress, calamine lotion, and aloe vera-based gels.
Pediatric Dermatology, February 2024
Quote: “No one wants to quit when he’s losing and no one wants to quit when he’s winning.” ~ Richard Petty

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

Health Alert: One-in-Three People Know Someone Who Had a Fatal Overdose. A survey of nearly
2,300 Americans conducted in spring 2023 found that 32% have lost someone due to a fatal overdose, and
for more than half of these individuals, that person was a close friend or family member.
JAMA Health Forum, May 2024
Diet: Ketogenic Diet May Benefit Some Neurological Conditions. The ketogenic diet is an eating pattern
that aims to shift the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.
Because the diet can also reduce inflammation in the brain, it’s suggested that it may benefit patients with
neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and bipolar disorder. However,
experts caution that such individuals should consult with their healthcare provider before switching their
diet. Leiden University, June 2024
Exercise: Walking Helps Keep Back Pain from Returning. For patients who have recovered from an
episode of low back pain, a recent study found that walking for 30 minutes three times a week significantly
reduces the risk of recurrence in the following six months. The Lancet, June 2024
Chiropractic: Spinal Manipulation Reduces Pain Catastrophizing Too. Among a group of 98 chronic
low back pain patients, those treated with spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment
provided by doctors of chiropractic—not only experienced greater improvements in pain than participants
who received a sham treatment, but they were also less likely to describe their pain in exaggerated terms
(pain catastrophizing). Journal of Pain, February 2024
Mental Attitude: Service Dogs Reduce PTSD Risk in Veterans. According to a recent study, pairing
former soldiers with a service dog reduces the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by 66%.
Veterans with service dogs also reported lower anxiety and depression levels, as well as a greater sense of
both emotional and social wellbeing. JAMA Network Open, June 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D and Post-Surgical Complications. An analysis of data concerning
314 patients who underwent surgery to address osteoporotic hip fracture found that those with low vitamin
D status were two times more likely to experience post-surgical complications than those with healthy
vitamin D levels. Nutrients, June 2024
Quote: “It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.”
~ Thomas Sowell

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