Health Alert: Wildfires Linked to Immediate Heart Risks. Following an analysis of data from 184 major
cities, researchers report that for every 1-μg/m3 increase in fine-particulate matter air pollution resulting from
wildfires, the risk of hospitalization for either ischemic heart disease or stroke rises by more than .25%.
Particulate matter levels at or below 12 μg/m3 are considered safe. However, even being a few miles from a
wildfire can increase levels to 50 μg/m3 and higher. Nature Communications, November 2024
Diet: Daily Tea Drinkers May Have Lower Stroke Risk. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, researchers estimate that for every 1.5 cups of tea a woman under 60 years of age averages
per day, her risk for stroke falls by 9%. Frontiers in Nutrition, October 2024
Exercise: Take a Daily Walk to Reduce Anxiety. Among a group of 96 college students, researchers found
that those who took a 30-minute walk at least three days a week for four weeks experienced a significant
decline in anxiety-related symptoms. Cureus, September 2024
Chiropractic: Treating Cervicogenic Headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches caused
by dysfunction in the neck. In a recent study that included 64 cervicogenic headache patients, researchers
observed that adding mobilization therapy to a treatment plan that included spinal manipulative therapy, heat
therapy, and isometric exercises resulted in greater improvements with respect to headache frequency, neck pain
intensity, and disability. Doctors of chiropractic commonly employ these and other conservative treatment
options when managing patients with cervicogenic headaches. Pain and Therapy, December 2024
Mental Attitude: 1 in 4 Adults Suspect They Have ADHD. A national survey conducted by researchers from
Ohio State University found that 25% of adults in the United States believe they have undiagnosed attentiondeficit/
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though only half have spoken to their doctor about it.
Ohio State University, October 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Caffeine May Counteract Effects of Birth Asphyxia. In a recent animal study,
researchers from the University of California, San Francisco observed that administering caffeine—a chemical
with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties–to newborn lambs affected by birth asphyxia significantly
reduced the risk for cerebral palsy. Further research is needed to uncover if such benefits extend to humans.
Stroke, October 2024
Quote: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

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

Health Alert: A-Fib May Be More Common Than Thought. Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is a common heart
rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. According to a
recent study by University of California, San Francisco researchers, the condition may affect three times more
people than current estimates—10.5 million American adults vs. 3.3 million American adults—due to factors
like the aging of the population and the increased incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, September 2024
Diet: Try Beans. Beans are a plant-based protein source that contain fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium,
zinc, phosphorus, thiamine, and antioxidants. Healthday, September 2024
Exercise: Endurance Exercise Burns Fat, Even in Absence of Weight Loss. In a recent study, researchers
observed that middle aged men who engaged in high-volume endurance exercise—such as cycling more than
700 miles a week—lost a significant percentage of their body fat and experienced improvements in several key
markers of metabolic health. However, gains in lean muscle appear to have offset much of this weight loss. The
findings highlight the importance of looking at the overall health picture and not just focusing on the scale to
determine one’s progress to a healthier lifestyle.
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, September 2024
Chiropractic: Benefits of Manual Therapies in Managing Lumbar Disk Herniation. While studies on the
effect of manual therapies for musculoskeletal conditions typically focus on outcomes related to pain, disability,
or function, a recent study that included 32 lumbar disk herniation patients noted manual therapies may also
provide benefits with respect to reduced catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression, and increased
quality of life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, September 2024
Mental Attitude: Many Children Have No Friends. According to a recent poll conducted by University of
Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, about 1 in 5 parents of kids aged 6 to 12 years report their child
has few-to-no friends. University of Michigan Health, September 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Blood Test Could Identify Future Lung Trouble. Researchers have identified 32
specific blood proteins that are associated with an elevated risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and other severe lung conditions. It’s hoped such a blood test could identify individuals in the early
course of such diseases when timely treatment may reduce their risk for poor outcomes.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, September 2024
Quote: “Friends are the sunshine of life.” ~ John Hay

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

Health Alert: Asthma and Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked. According to a recent study, type 2 diabetes and
asthma may share underlying causes as having one condition raises an individual’s risk for the other. More
specifically, type 2 diabetics have an 83% elevated risk for asthma and the risk for type 2 diabetes is 28%
higher among asthmatics—and the risk is even greater for those with more severe symptoms.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes, September 2024
Diet: Low Levels of Manganese May Be Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease. In a recent study,
University of Michigan researchers observed that manganese deficiency is associated with increased intestinal
inflammation and injury, which may contribute to and exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease. The authors of
the study speculate that decreasing dietary manganese in Western diets may be a contributing factor for the
rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease. Nature Communications, October 2024
Exercise: Exercise Reduces Several Menopause-Related Health Risks. Hormone fluctuations during
menopause have been linked to unfavorable changes in blood lipid levels, blood pressure, and fat distribution—
all of which can elevate the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A recent meta-analysis of data from
40 studies concluded that an exercise routine that combines strength and endurance training can assist in
improving these readings, mitigate the increased risk for poor health outcomes commonly observed in older
women. The Conversation, September 2024
Chiropractic: One-in-Five Children and Adolescents Have Chronic Pain. A meta-analysis of data
concerning more than 1 million kids and teens from across 70 countries revealed that approximately 20% suffer
from persistent or recurring pain lasting longer than three months, most often linked to musculoskeletal
conditions, like back pain. Pain, October 2024
Mental Attitude: Smokers More Likely to Have Poor Mental Health. Using data from the Maryland 2020
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, researchers report that smokers are prone to worse mental
health and are 63% more likely than non-smokers to rate their mental health as “not good” on fourteen or more
days per month. Tobacco Use Insights, October 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Safer Sleep for Infants. Safe Kids Worldwide notes that more than 150 young children
die each year due to unsafe sleeping practices. To reduce the risk for suffocation and sudden unexpected infant
death syndrome, experts recommend placing infants to sleep on their back on a firm sleeping surface, avoiding
soft objects or bedding. Safe Kids Worldwide, September 2024
Quote: “If you do not know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing.” ~ W. Edwards Deming

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

Health Alert: Asthma and Pregnancy. An analysis of data concerning nearly 777,000 women revealed that
asthma is associated with a 12% increased likelihood of requiring fertility treatments to conceive and up to an
8% elevated risk for miscarriage. European Respiratory Society, September 2024
Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Ultra-processed foods are food products that
include added sugars, fats, and salt to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life. According to a study that looked at
over a decade of health and diet data concerning more than 300,000 adults, for every ten percentage points that
ultra-processed foods comprise an individual’s total caloric intake, their risk for type 2 diabetes rises by 17%.
Current estimates show that roughly half of all calories consumed by the average American are from ultraprocessed
foods. The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, March 2024
Exercise: Both Moderate- and High-Intensity Exercise Benefit Parkinson’s Patients. For patients with
Parkinson’s disease, a recent study found that both moderate- and high-intensity exercise are effective for
improving motor symptoms, cardiorespiratory fitness, and fatigue levels.
Journal of Applied Physiology, March 2024
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Mimics of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. If a patient experiences pain that
radiates into the leg, there are a number of potential causes beyond a disk herniation at the L5 of S1 level.
Mimics of lumbosacral radiculopathy include piriformis syndrome, exertional compartment syndrome, and
plantar fasciitis. Healthcare providers, including doctors of chiropractic, are trained in differential diagnosis to
distinguish a particular disease or condition from others with similar symptoms using the patient’s detailed
history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Muscle & Nerve, May 2024
Mental Attitude: Falling for Financial Scams May Signal Potential Alzheimer’s Disease. In a recent study,
researchers from the University of Southern California observed that seniors who scored poorly on an
assessment that gauges their vulnerability to finance exploitation had a thinner entorhinal cortex. The entorhinal
cortex is an area of the brain crucial for memory and emotional regulation. Past research has shown this portion
of the brain thins before most other Alzheimer’s symptoms are present. Cerebral Cortex, September 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Anemia Raises Preeclampsia Risk. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication
characterized by high blood pressure that can cause serious health problems for mothers and babies if left
untreated. In a recent study that included 337 expectant mothers, researchers observed that those with anemia
had an elevated risk for preeclampsia. It’s estimated that as high as 25% of women experience anemia during
pregnancy. Nutrition and Health, October 2024
Quote: “Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.” ~ John Wooden

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

Health Alert: Obesity Raises Infection Risk. New research suggests that for every 5-point increase in body
mass index (BMI), an individual’s risk for severe viral or bacterial infection rises by at least 30%.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes, September 2024
Diet: Eating Unhealthy Food Is Bad for the Cardiovascular System. The Nutri-Score system requires food
manufacturers in several European countries to include a score on the front of the package to better inform
consumers about the healthiness of the product. An analysis of data concerning more than 345,000 adults
revealed a high intake of foods ranked low on the Nutri-Score scale is associated with an elevated risk for poor
cardiovascular outcomes like heart attack and stroke. The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, September 2024
Exercise: Isometric Vs. Isotonic Core Stabilization Exercise for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.
Core stabilization exercises are often recommended as part of a multimodal treatment plan for chronic low back
pain; however, it’s unclear whether isometric exercises (muscle contractions without movement, such as planks)
or isotonic exercises (muscle contractions with movement, such as performing sit-ups) offer superior results. A
recent study that included 41 patients under treatment for chronic low back pain revealed both types of exercise
are effective for reducing pain and disability. Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, February 2024
Chiropractic: Back Pain Has Less Impact on People Who Exercise. Among a group of 991 low back pain
patients, researchers observed that those who engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity a week—in line with current fitness guidelines—had less intense pain and a lower risk for activity
limitations. European Spine Journal, May 2024
Mental Attitude: Isolation May Rapidly Age Teen’s Brains. Cortical thinning commonly occurs with age,
but researchers have observed thinning can accelerate in periods of social isolation, potentially due to a
reduction in social interactions. Examinations of brain imaging of adolescent brains following pandemic
lockdowns revealed aging in teen brains sped up by 1.4 years for boys and 4.2 years for girls.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 2024
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Vision. Age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are
leading causes of vision loss for older adults, but the American Society of Retina Specialists notes one can help
keep their retinas healthy by not smoking, staying active, eating a nutritious diet, and getting regular eye exams,
especially if you have a family history for a serious eye condition.
American Society of Retinal Specialists, September 2024
Quote: “There is beauty and humility in imperfection.” ~ Guillermo del Toro

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

Health Alert: High Triglycerides May Influence Sleep Apnea Risk. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers report that for adults under age 60, the combination of obesity and elevated triglyceride levels is associated with a 31% increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Frontiers in Nutrition, August 2024 Diet: Too Much Caffeine May Bring Heart Risks. Evaluations of 92 healthy adults under age 45 revealed that those who frequently consume more than 400 mg of caffeine a day (roughly four cups of coffee) exhibited significant increases in both heart rate and blood pressure following physical exertion. The findings suggest that excessive caffeine intake may be detrimental to cardiovascular health. American College of Cardiology-Asia, August 2024 Exercise: Flexibility May Be Sign of Longevity. Among a group of 3,139 middle-aged and older adults, researchers observed that those with greater flexibility had a lower risk for early death in the following 12.9 years. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, July 2024 Chiropractic: Improving Scapular Function May Help Relieve Neck Pain. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis that included eight studies found that scapular dysfunction is often present in patients with chronic neck pain and incorporating therapies to restore normal movement of the shoulder blades may result in greater improvements with respect to the patient’s neck pain. The findings demonstrate the importance of assessing the whole patient when it comes to musculoskeletal disorders like neck pain as conditions elsewhere in the body may contribute to the patient’s chief complaint. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, April 2024 Mental Attitude: Risk Factors for Mood Disorders During Pregnancy. Following an analysis of data from the Tianjin Birth Cohort concerning 6,470 pregnancies, researchers identified the following potentially modifiable risk factors for depression and/or anxiety among expectant mothers: stress, low social support, and thyroid dysfunction. Journal of Affective Disorders, August 2024 Wellness/Prevention: Heart-Healthy Habits to Start While Young. The American Heart Association reports that getting plenty of sleep and maintaining a healthy weight, blood lipid, and blood pressure levels starting in young adulthood can help the carotid arteries stay healthy, reducing the risk for atherosclerosis. American Heart Association, August 2024 Quote: “Attitude determines the altitude of life.” ~ Edwin Louis Cole

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

Health Alert: Opioid Misuse Common Among Chronic Pain Patients. A literature review that included 148 studies published between 1985 and 2021 found that nearly 10% of chronic pain patients prescribed opioids end up addicted, with almost 30% exhibiting symptoms of drug dependence. The findings contradict earlier claims that opioids carried a low risk for addiction. Addiction, August 2024 Diet: Fruit and Vegetable Intake May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk. Dietary questionnaires completed by 395 women with breast cancer and 395 with no history of breast cancer revealed a higher intake of leafy green vegetables is associated with up to a 45% reduced risk for breast cancer. Nutrition Research, August 2024 Exercise: If a Child Wants to Weight Train… Despite myths that lifting weights can stunt a child’s growth, current literature suggests properly supervised resistance training does not harm growth plates or cause growth stunting. If a child shows interest in lifting weights, experts recommend starting with light weights and simple exercises, focusing on proper technique to reduce the risk of injury and avoid developing bad habits. The Conversation, August 2024 Chiropractic: Neck Pain is Common in Military Personnel. A systematic review that included 16 studies found that neck pain is extremely common among members of the armed services with more than 80% experiencing an episode each year. Further analysis revealed the following risk factors for neck pain in military personnel: poor neck mobility, shoulder pain, low back pain, piloting or crewing aircraft, and wearing heavy helmets or other gear on the head. EFORT Open Reviews, August 2024 Mental Attitude: Persistent Sadness Down Among American Girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the percentage of teen girls in the United States reporting persistent sadness fell to 53% in 2023, down from 57% in 2021. Despite this improvement, mental health challenges remain significant among this vulnerable population. Youth Risk Behavior Survey, August 2024 Wellness/Prevention: Living in a Sunny Area Is Good for Overall Health. Even when accounting for the risk of skin cancer, University of Edinburgh researchers report that individuals living in areas with greater exposure to ultraviolet light have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Health & Place, September 2024 Quote: “Form follows function.” ~ Louis Sullivan

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

Health Alert: Long-Term Night Shift Work Raises Breast Cancer Risk. An analysis of data from eleven case-controlled studies found that working nights for ten years can increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer by 23%, and the risk continues to rise the more years she works nights. BMC Public Health, July 2024 Diet: Fish Oil May Help Improve Blood Lipid Readings. Following an analysis of data concerning more than 441,000 adults, researchers report that taking a daily fish oil supplement is associated with improved total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, even for individuals with a genetic predisposition for high cholesterol. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2024 Exercise: How Exercise Can Boost Motivation. In a recent experiment, scientists from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre observed that the release of interleukin 15 in response to physical activity signals the brain to enhance motor activity of the muscles, thereby encouraging exercise to continue. Science Advances, April 2024 Chiropractic: Most Professional Drivers Have Low Back Pain. A meta-analysis of data from 53 studies found that 55.3% of professional drivers experienced at least one episode of low back pain during the previous year, while 33.8% had back pain within the previous month. Public Health, June 2024 Mental Attitude: Depression Increases Risk for Sleep Disorder. Questionnaires completed by 402 taxi drivers who had been on the job for a decade revealed that those with depression were seven times more likely to have a sleep disorder than their peers without a mood disorder. Additionally, the more severe their depressive symptoms, the greater their risk for sleep troubles. Health Science Reports, September 2024 Wellness/Prevention: Many Women are Unaware of Key Endometrial Cancer Warning Sign. A recent survey found that a third of women did not know that postmenopausal bleeding is a warning sign of endometrial cancer, and 41% said they would not report it to their doctor unless it happened more than once. Experts note that while there are no screening tests currently available to spot endometrial cancer, addressing it at the first signs of symptoms like abnormal bleeding can significantly increase the odds of successful treatment. Menopause, July 2024 Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

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

Health Alert: Vaping and Smoking Boosts Lung Cancer Risks. Researchers from Ohio State University report that people who both smoke cigarettes and use electronic cigarettes are two times more likely than just cigarette smokers to develop lung cancer. Journal of Oncology Research and Therapy, August 2024 Diet: Healthy Gut Key for Brain Health. Current research suggests that a healthy gut microbiome is essential for optimal brain function. Foods that have been demonstrated to benefit gut health include berries, fish, leafy greens, and nuts. University of Kentucky, August 2024 Exercise: Playing Sports Can Contribute to Academic Success. Using data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, researchers report that kids involved in sports between ages six and ten are more likely to achieve better grades, graduate high school, and pursue a college degree than their peers who refrain from sports at a young age. The authors note that sports build skills like teamwork and responsibility that are applicable to the educational environment. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, August 2024 Chiropractic: Trigger Point Therapy Helps Relieve Shoulder Pain. For patients with active trigger points—hyperirritable spots found in skeletal muscle—in one or more muscles attached to the shoulder joints, a recent systematic review that included ten studies found that trigger point therapy is an effective treatment option, especially when used in conjunction with other conservative therapies provided by doctors of chiropractic. Disability and Rehabilitation, August 2024 Mental Attitude: New Risk Factors for Dementia Identified. According to a recent study, vision impairment and high cholesterol are modifiable risk factors for dementia. The findings highlight the importance of regular check-ups with healthcare providers to screen for vision loss and abnormal cholesterol readings. The Lancet, August 2024 Wellness/Prevention: Use a Cooking Thermometer to Help Prevent Foodborne Illnesses. Despite the importance of achieving an adequate internal cooking temperature (165°F or ~74°C for poultry and eggs, 160°F or ~71°C for ground beef, and 145°F or ~63°C for whole cuts of beef) to neutralize pathogens like salmonella, only 27% of Americans consistently use a cooking thermometer. University of Pennsylvania, August 2024 Quote: “In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.” ~ Paul Harvey

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

Health Alert: The More Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Therapy, the Better. Following an analysis of Korean
National Health Insurance System data, researchers report that stroke survivors who participate in 40 or more
rehabilitation therapy sessions in the six months post-stroke are significantly less likely to die during that time frame,
especially those with severe strokes. Unfortunately, less than 20% of stroke patients in the dataset had such extensive
rehabilitation therapy and nearly two-thirds had no therapy at all. Stroke, August 2024
Diet: Saturated Vs. Unsaturated Fats. In a recent study, researchers observed that switching from a diet high in
saturated animal fats to a diet that favors plant-based unsaturated fats—like the Mediterranean diet—can improve the
composition of lipids in the blood, reducing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Nature Medicine, July 2024
Exercise: Leisure Sedentary Behavior and Musculoskeletal Disorders. According to a recent study, the more
time an individual spends engaged in sedentary behaviors, the greater their risk for cervical spondylosis,
intervertebral disk degeneration, non-specific low back pain, and sciatica.
Frontiers in Public Health, January 2024
Chiropractic: Lower Extremity Muscle Tightness and Chronic Low Back Pain. Examinations of 52 patients
with non-specific low back pain revealed those with tighter leg muscles, especially when coupled with greater
variation in muscle tightness between the dominant and non-dominant sides, were more likely to report higher levels
of pain intensity and disability in their lower back. The finding demonstrates the importance of examining the patient
beyond the area of chief complaint as issues in adjacent areas of the body may contribute to or even be an underlying
cause of the presenting issue. Work, February 2024
Mental Attitude: Narcissism May Fade with Age. A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 51 studies
involving more than 37,000 participants revealed that agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism tends to decline
with age. Researcher Dr. Ulrich Orth adds, “One theory suggests that the social roles we take on in adulthood lead to
the development of more mature personality characteristics, including lower levels of narcissism.”
Psychological Bulletin, July 2024
Wellness/Prevention: There’s a Need for More Research on Chronic Illness Among Women. The National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued a statement on the importance of investing in more
studies into how chronic illnesses affect women differently, noting that a paucity of data on the topic can result in a
delay in effective treatment due to diagnostic challenges.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, July 2024
Quote: “Life has a practice of living you, if you don’t live it.” ~ Philip Larkin

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