WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 11-29-2021

Health Alert: Risk Factors for Stroke in Type 2 Diabetics. Among a group of 18,013 type 2 diabetics, researchers
observed that participants with at least five of the following seven risk factors had nearly a 15-times increased risk
for stroke: smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history of stroke, obesity, short sleep duration (less than six
hours a night), or long sleep duration (over eight hours a night). Acta Diabetologica, November 2021
Diet: Healthy Diet May Benefit Cognitive Function. A systematic review of several meta-analyses concluded that
diet is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and that adopting a healthy eating pattern—such as the
Mediterranean diet—may help delay or possibly prevent dementia in individuals at increased risk for the disease.
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, November 2021
Exercise: Benefits of Stretching. The American Council on Exercise notes that stretching provides the following
benefits: decreased muscle stiffness and increased range of motion; reduced risk of injury; improved posture; lower
stress; reduced muscular tension and enhanced muscular relaxation; improved mechanical efficiency and overall
functional performance; and improved circulation. American Council on Exercise, September 2021
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Benefit Tension-Type Headache Sufferers. Tension-type headache (TTH) is
the most common form of headache that affects adults. A systematic review of ten studies concluded that manual
therapies, such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic, are effective for improving overall wellbeing in TTH
patients, as well as reducing TTH-related pain and disability. While the review did not find any one manual therapy
to be superior, the authors report that optimal outcomes can be achieved by combining different techniques.
Neurologia, September 2021
Mental Attitude: ADHD Linked to Dementia Risk? According to a recent study that included over 2 million
people, parents of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a 34% greater risk
of dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, September 2021
Wellness/Prevention: Tips to Prevent Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that
causes irritation, redness, and swelling of the gum around that base of the teeth. Over time, it can lead to tooth loss,
as well as an elevated risk for respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following to help prevent and even reverse gingivitis: brush your teeth twice
daily, use a soft toothbrush and replace it every three to four months, use an electric toothbrush, floss daily, use
mouth wash to reduce plaque, use a dental pick, get regular professional dental cleanings, and don’t smoke or chew
tobacco. Mayo Clinic, September 2021
Quote: “It takes a great man to give sound advice tactfully, but a greater to accept it graciously.”
~ Logan Pearsall Smith

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