Health Alert: Sleep Apnea Can Affect the Autonomic Nervous System. A review of data from 71 studies
suggests that obstructive sleep apnea can affect autonomic nervous system functions related to relaxation,
digestion, stress response, and heart rate. The authors of the review speculate this may be the mechanism by
which sleep apnea increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Sleep Medicine Reviews, March 2021
Diet: Poor Diet is Bad for Brain and Gums. New research suggests that consuming a pro-inflammatory
diet—an eating pattern characterized by a high intake of red and processed meat, high-fat dairy products, and
refined grains—is associated with an elevated risk for both periodontitis and cognitive dysfunction.
Nutrients, March 2021
Exercise: Avoid Uninterrupted Sedentary Time. Past research has shown that prolonged periods of sedentary
behavior can lead to the accumulation of biomarkers in the blood that are associated with an elevated risk for
cardiovascular disease. In this study, researchers found that breaking up sessions of sedentary activity every 15
minutes with just a small amount of physical activity of any intensity can counteract much of the negative
effects of prolonged inactivity. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, April 2021
Chiropractic: Manual Therapy Effective and Safe for Cervicogenic Cephalic Syndrome. Cervicogenic
cephalic syndrome is a condition characterized by headaches and dizziness caused by dysfunction in the neck.
A recent literature review found that manual therapies, such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, are a
safe and effective treatment option for patients with cervicogenic cephalic syndrome. Medicine, February 2021
Mental Attitude: Suicide Risk Elevated Among Nurses. Using data from the National Violent Death
Reporting System, researchers report that individuals in the nursing profession have an 18% increased risk for
suicide compared with the general population. The authors of the study note that further research is necessary to
gain a greater understanding of why nurses are at elevated risk for suicide and to identify interventions to
address the issue. JAMA Psychiatry, April 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Take Microbreaks to Stay Sharp at Work. Microbreaks are short timeouts from work
functions that usually involve activities like getting a snack, chatting with co-workers, stretching, or doing a
crossword puzzle that can help workers maintain their energy levels and stay productive throughout the day.
Journal of Applied Psychology, March 2021
Quote: “We come. We go. And in between we try to understand.” ~ Rod Steiger

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