WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE from your Napa Chiropractor, 9-19-2022

Health Alert: Underactive Thyroid May Increase Dementia Risk. A review of the medical records of over
15,000 older adults revealed that a history of hypothyroidism is associated with an 80% elevated risk for dementia,
and the risk is even greater among those on hormone-replacement medications. Neurology, July 2022
Diet: Inflammatory Diet Linked to Frailty. Frailty is a condition characterized by weakness, slowness, physical
inactivity, self-reported exhaustion, and unintentional weight loss that is associated with an increased risk for poor
health outcomes. Using data from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring study, researchers have observed an
association between a pro-inflammatory diet—an eating pattern characterized by a high intake of sugar,
polysaturated vegetable oils, trans fats, dairy products, feed lot-raised meat, red meat, processed meat, alcohol,
refined grains, and artificial food additives—and an elevated risk for frailty.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2022
Exercise: Active Teens Sleep Better and Have Healthier Hearts. Assessments of 352 adolescents revealed that
those who regularly engage in physical activity not only experience better quality sleep, but they also have better
cardiovascular function than their sedentary peers. Sleep & Breathing, August 2022
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies and Tinnitus. Following a study that showed that manual therapies are an
effective intervention for patients with suspected cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus, researchers conclude that in
the absence of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) pathologies, patients seeking care for ringing in the ears should be
examined for musculoskeletal dysfunction in the head and neck. Doctors of chiropractic commonly use manual
therapies to manage patients with musculoskeletal disorders. HNO, August 2022
Mental Attitude: People Appreciate Hearing from You. A recent series of experiments found that individuals
who reach out to acquaintances, friends, and family generally underestimate the impact their gesture would have on
others, especially when the recipient has no reason to expect it.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, July 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Achieve Healthier Skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the
following skin care routine to keep your skin young and healthy looking: wear sunscreen daily; don’t smoke; inspect
your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer; determine your skin type, and use products formulated for that type; use
mild warm water and a gentle cleanser when washing your face; wash your face before bed, when you wake, and if
your face is sweaty; and find ways to manage stress, such as exercising.
American Academy of Dermatology, July 2022
Quote: “The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.” ~ Socrates

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