Health Alert: Narcolepsy Linked to Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological
disorder that disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles, causing excessive daytime sleepiness and
sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep. An analysis of data that included 22,293 narcolepsy patients revealed the
condition is associated with an elevated risk for several cardiovascular disease risk factors including hypertension,
diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hyperlipidemia, even in young adults, regardless of any medications
used to regulate their sleep. Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2025
Diet: Dietary Changes May Reduce Risk of Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other
sounds in the ears or head without an external sound source. An analysis of data concerning more than 300,000
people revealed an association between a higher intake of fruits, dairy, fiber, and caffeine and a lower risk for
tinnitus. The researchers suspect these food choices may lower inflammation and protect the nerves related to
auditory function. BMJ, March 2025
Exercise: Fitness Recommendations for New Mothers. Following a review of findings from 574 studies, a panel
of health experts has updated fitness guidelines for new moms to include engaging in at least 120 minutes of
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a week and daily pelvic floor muscle training.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2025
Chiropractic: Try Chiropractic First for Low Back Pain! A review of Medicare claims data concerning 3,042
older adults treated for an acute episode of low back pain revealed that those who initially received
nonpharmacologic therapies—such as chiropractic care—were 87% less likely to subsequently be hospitalized in
relation to an opioid overdose. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, April 2025
Mental Attitude: Retiring Abroad Could Lead to Loneliness. A study that monitored Dutch retirees found that
those who moved to another country during retirement were more likely to feel social isolation, despite having better
health and financial stability than their peers who remained in the Netherlands, unless they actively maintained
relationships with friends and family and worked to integrate into their new communities.
Psychology and Aging, March 2025
Wellness/Prevention: An Alternative to Invasive Bladder Tests for Women with Incontinence? While invasive
bladder pressure tests are presently the standard for diagnosing and treating complex or unclear urinary incontinence
in women, a recent study found that a comprehensive clinical assessment—including medical history, bladder
diaries, and physical exams—is likely just as effective, which can help make this process more accessible and less
distressing for female patients. The Lancet, March 2025
Quote: “Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

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

Health Alert: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Linked to Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of
conditions—obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, impaired metabolic function, and excessive waist
circumference—that occur together and elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A recent metaanalysis
of data from twelve studies found that inflammatory bowel disease patients have a 21% increased risk for
metabolic syndrome, particularly those with ulcerative colitis.
Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, April 2025
Diet: Try Potatoes! Countering the perception that potatoes are unhealthy, researchers from Louisiana State
University note that when boiled or roasted, potatoes are low in energy density and rich in fiber and potassium. In an
experiment in which participants replaced 40% of their meat intake with potatoes, they lost an average of 5.6% of
their total body weight within eight weeks without feeling hungry. Louisiana State University, February 2025
Exercise: Listen to Music During Workouts. University of Jyväskylä researchers note that listening to music while
working out reduces perceived exertion by up to 10%, faster-tempo music (120–140 BPM) enhances endurance, and
choosing your own music makes workouts more enjoyable so you’re likely to continue exercising into the future.
medRxiv, December 2024
Chiropractic: Help in Predicting Which Whiplash Patients Will Develop Chronic Pain. It’s estimated that
roughly half of patients with whiplash associated disorders will develop chronic symptoms that can persist for a year
or longer. A recent study involving 203 whiplash patients found that individuals with moderate-to-severe neck pain
lasting two-to-six weeks after the incident and those experiencing pain beyond the neck were significantly more
likely to develop chronic symptoms. These findings may help clinicians identify patients at higher risk for poor
recovery, allowing for earlier and more comprehensive interventions to potentially prevent chronicity.
Pain, September 2024
Mental Attitude: Night Owls at Greater Risk for Depression. A survey of 550 university students revealed that
those who tend to stay up late are less mindful of the present moment, less likely to get sufficient quality sleep, and
more likely to consume alcohol—all of which are linked to an elevated risk for depression. PLOS One, March 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Waterpipes Linked to Several Health Risks. A systematic review that included 191 studies
concluded that waterpipe smoking—such as a hookah—is associated with multiple poor health outcomes including
gastric cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic
syndrome, infertility, chronic bronchitis, cough, sputum, and poor oral health. Systematic Reviews, March 2025
Quote: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” ~ Samuel Beckett

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Health Alert: Microplastics Detected in IV Bags. Experiments conducted by researchers from Fudan University
revealed that a standard 8.4-ounce intravenous (IV) fluid bag could deliver about 7,500 microplastic particles—
mainly polypropylene from the bags themselves—into a patient’s bloodstream. Microplastic exposure has been
linked to several poor health outcomes, including heart disease, stroke, reproductive issues, and cognitive decline.
While research is needed to better understand the potential risk for microplastics delivered via IV bags and possibly
to develop alternative delivery mechanisms, the authors recommend keeping the bags away from heat and ultraviolet
light and possibly implementing filtration systems to reduce the risk for contamination.
Environment & Health, March 2025
Diet: Is Salt Linked to Stomach Cancer? According to a recent study, high salt intake is associated with an
elevated risk for gastric cancer, even among individuals who typically consume a healthy diet pattern featuring
plenty of servings of vegetables. The findings suggest that individuals who may have an increased risk for stomach
cancer should monitor their sodium intake. BMC Medicine, November 2024
Exercise: Any Kind of Exercise Benefits Brain Health. A comprehensive review that pooled data from 133
systematic reviews that included more than 2,700 randomized clinical trials concluded that exercise of any intensity
can lead to notable improvements in cognitive function and memory within a short time period, regardless of age.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2025
Chiropractic: Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain. Among a group of 40 chronic low back pain patients,
researchers observed that a single session of myofascial release technique—a manual therapy that involves applying
sustained, gentle pressure to the myofascial connective tissue—resulted in immediate improvements in low back
pain and flexibility. Doctors of chiropractic often use myofascial release and other manual therapies when managing
patients with chronic low back pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, March 2025
Mental Attitude: Age of Menopause Onset May Raise Risk for Depression. Following an analysis of data from
the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, researchers report that early menopause (before age 45) is associated with
both an elevated risk for depression and worse cognitive performance at age 65 when compared with participants
who entered menopause at or after age 50. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, April 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Continuous Glucose Monitors Help Those with Diabetes Drive More Safely. Researchers
at Nagoya University report that people with diabetes who use continuous glucose monitors to alert them of low
blood glucose levels are less likely to experience hypoglycemic episodes while driving, helping to reduce their risk
for an accident. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, February 2025
Quote: “The greatest virtue of man is perhaps curiosity.”~ Anatole France

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

Health Alert: A Third of Kids Have Chronic Illness. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles
report that a third of children aged 5 to 17 have one or more chronic illnesses, up from 23% in 1999. The research
team attributes this increase to the increased prevalence of poor metabolic and mental health in the youth population.
Academic Pediatrics, March 2025
Diet: Mediterranean Diet Lowers Risk for Obesity-Related Cancers. Using data from the European Prospective
Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, researchers report that greater adherence to the Mediterranean
diet—an eating pattern focused on fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and
processed meats, dairy, saturated fats, and refined sugars—is associated with a 6% lower risk for obesity-related
cancers. The benefits are attributed to the diet’s anti-inflammatory effects, improved insulin sensitivity, and
avoidance of ultra-processed foods. JAMA Network Open, March 2025
Exercise: The Benefits of Dancing Are More Than Physical. In addition to being a means of meeting physical
activity guidelines, researchers report that dancing fosters emotional expression, builds social bonds, reduces
anxiety, lowers cortisol levels, and enhances cardiovascular health. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, May 2025
Chiropractic: Guidelines for Managing Spinal Pain. A recent systematic review that included 30 clinical practice
guidelines for the nonpharmacological, nonsurgical management of spine pain revealed that patient education,
therapeutic exercises, and manual therapies are effective treatment options, especially when combined in a
multimodal treatment approach. Doctors of chiropractic use these and many of the therapies in the management of
spinal pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, January 2025
Mental Attitude: Short and Long Sleep Linked to Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment. For patients recovering
from stroke, a recent study found that sleeping fewer than seven hours or more than nine hours a night are each
associated with a significant increased risk for cognitive impairment in the following 18 months. The findings
suggest that healthcare providers should assess stroke survivors for short or long sleep during recovery.
Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Organ Health May Predict Later Health Risks. Using data collected during the long-term
Whitehall II study, researchers report that the various organs in our body age at different rates, and fast-aging organs
are linked to an elevated risk for age-related disease. For example, the research team found that faster immune
system aging is more closely linked to dementia than brain aging. These findings could lead to the development of
special blood tests to assist healthcare providers in identifying a patient’s future risk for disease early on when
preventative efforts may be more effective. The Lancet Digital Health, March 2025
Quote: “The things we hate about ourselves aren’t more real than things we like about ourselves.” ~ Ellen Goodman

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