Health Alert: Complications During Pregnancy Increase Future Risk of Preterm Delivery. An analysis of
data on both the first and second pregnancies of over 300,000 Norwegian women revealed that the risk of
preterm birth in their second pregnancy was two times greater among women who experienced a complication
during their first pregnancy such as preeclampsia placental abruption, stillbirth, neonatal death, and low birth
weight for gestational age. Researchers hope the findings will help healthcare providers identify those at
increased risk of preterm delivery. BMJ, April 2020
Diet: Food Choices May Affect Liver Cancer Risk. A diet low in fruits, leafy vegetables, and fish may be
associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. PLOS One, April 2020
Exercise: Walking Offers Many Health Benefits. Walking is a great weight-bearing exercise associated with
the following benefits: increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness; reduced risk of heart disease and stroke;
improved management of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or
stiffness, and diabetes; stronger bones; improved balance; increased muscle strength and endurance, and
reduced body fat. Department of Health & Human Services (Australia), May 2020
Chiropractic: Conservative Care Can Reduce Need for CTS Surgery. Among a group of 150 patients on a
waiting list for carpal tunnel release surgery, researchers observed that participants who performed tendon
gliding exercises for six weeks were about 25% more likely to cancel their procedure within the following six
months. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate tendon gliding exercises in their treatment recommendations
for carpal tunnel syndrome patients in addition to nutritional recommendations and manual therapies to relieve
pressure on the median nerve at the wrist and elsewhere along its course. Journal of Physiotherapy, April 2020
Mental Attitude: Early School Start Time Affects Attendance. New research suggests that high school
students who start school at 7:25 a.m. are more likely to miss school or arrive late for their first class than
students who begin the day at 8:50 a.m. Economics of Education Review, June 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Yourself from the Sun to Prevent Skin Cancer. The American Academy of
Dermatology reports that many Americans don’t take proper precautions to protect themselves from the sun. To
reduce the risk for skin cancer, the academy recommends the following: seek shade when the sun’s rays are the
strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; wear sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a widebrimmed hat and sunglasses; use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF)
of 30 or higher on all skin not covered by clothing. American Academy of Dermatology, April 2020
Quote: “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Vaping and Chronic Lung Disease. Researchers analyzed records from 2013 to 2016 on new lung
disease diagnoses and found that both traditional smoking and e-cigarette use are associated with an elevated risk for
chronic lung disease compared with nonsmokers (50% and 33%, respectively). The findings are important because
debate continues over whether e-cigarettes should be promoted as a safe tool for smokers looking to quit the habit.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, December 2019
Diet: Bad Diets Are Costly to Society. New research suggests that if adults in the United States adopted healthier
eating habits, it could save the country roughly $50 billion in healthcare-associated expenses for the treatment of
heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. American Heart Association, March 2020
Exercise: Gardening is Good for Your Body Image. A review of survey data revealed that gardeners have higher
levels of body appreciation and body pride, as well as higher levels of appreciation for their body’s functionality
compared with non-gardeners. Ecophysiology, March 2020
Chiropractic: Knee Stiffness Linked to Spinal Issue? Examinations of patients following total knee replacement
revealed that those who continued to report knee stiffness were more likely to have sagittal spinal malalignment. The
researchers suspect that postural abnormalities in the spine may lead to compensatory changes in the biomechanics
of the knee and a resulting reduction in range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to assess the whole
patient to identify any factors that may contribute to a patient’s chief complaint and treat them with conservative
options including manipulation, mobilization, specific exercises, modalities, and nutritional recommendations.
Journal of Arthroplasty, February 2020
Mental Attitude: Pets Are Truly Lifesavers for Seniors. Questionnaires completed by 35 senior pet owners
revealed that a third had considered suicide but cited caring for their pet as a reason to live. The findings suggest that
pet ownership for seniors may possibly prevent some suicides. Dr. Gary Kennedy, the director of geriatric psychiatry
for the Montefiore Health System in New York City writes, “Animals provide a presence and companionship. They
respond to your vocalizations. You feed them, groom them, and with a dog, walk them. There’s reciprocity and
companionship in the relationship.” Anthrozoös, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention Tips. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that up to 75% of
cancer deaths in the United States can be prevented. The school offers these cancer prevention tips: avoid tobacco,
eat properly, exercise regularly, stay lean, limit alcohol intake, avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation, avoid
exposure to industrial and environmental toxins, avoid infections that contribute to cancer, make sleep a priority, and
get plenty of vitamin D. Harvard School of Public Health, March 2020
Quote: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~ e. e. cummings

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

Health Alert: Suicide Rates Up 35% in Last 20 Years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reports that the suicide rate in the United States increased from 10.5 to 14 per 100,000 persons between 1999 and
2018, with a much sharper increase in the past decade. The CDC adds that suicide risk is higher among men and
those living in rural areas. Dr. Jonathan Singer, the president of the board of directors of the American Association
of Suicidology writes, “No one knows why suicide rates are climbing… What we do know is that research on suicide
is underfunded, that there are many different pathways people take to become suicidal and to make the decision to
die… There’s a need for more folks to be trained in addressing suicide risk, particularly in rural areas, and a need for
more research.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2020
Diet: A Healthy Diet May Reduce Risk for Poor Mental Health in Children. A review of findings from twelve
published studies found that kids who consume a healthy diet have a reduced risk for developing a mental health
condition during both childhood and adolescence.
Annals of the National Institute of Hygiene (Poland), January 2020
Exercise: Another Reason to Stay Fit! The corpus callosum is a band of nerve fibers that connects and helps
“integrate” functions between the left and right hemi-spheres of the brain. A review of findings from 20 published
studies identified an association between higher cardiorespiratory fitness and greater structural and functional
integrity in the corpus callosum. Physician and Sports Medicine, April 2020
Chiropractic: Trapezius Strengthening Benefits Neck Pain Patients. Among a group of 40 neck pain patients,
those who performed exercises to strengthen the lower trapezius muscles reported greater improvements in cervical
function and postural alignment. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of spinal manipulation,
mobilization, and exercises when treating patients with neck pain. Medical Science Monitor, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Bilingualism and the Brain. Past research suggests that speaking a second language may
preserve cognitive function later in life. In a new study, researchers looked at MRI brain images of bilingual and
monolingual seniors and observed that the brain scans of bilingual participants exhibited less shrinkage in the areas
of the brain associated with language processing and control. Brain Structure & Function, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: New Biomarker May Help Detect Alzheimer’s Disease. The PHGDH gene is responsible
for the production of RNA and proteins that are critical for brain development and function, which typically declines
with age. In a recent study, researcher found that a sharp change in this RNA production later in life may precede
Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis by up to two years. The finding suggests that a blood test for these biomarkers may
help identify Alzheimer’s disease patients before they begin showing symptoms. Current Biology, March 2020
Quote: “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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

Health Alert: MAFLD? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat accumulates
in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. In a recent article, researchers suggested changing
the name for this condition to metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in order to better
highlight the underlying causes of the disease such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, abnormal blood lipid levels,
being overweight, and having a large waist circumference. Liver International, April 2020
Diet: Special Diet Key to Managing Asthma. The ketogenic diet triggers ketosis, which is a metabolic process that
breaks down fats and proteins and transforms them into energy for the body. In a recent experiment, researchers
observed that when asthmatic mice consumed a ketogenic diet, they experienced a reduction in asthma symptoms.
Researcher Dr. Christoph Wilhelm writes, “The prevalence of asthma has increased dramatically over the last few
decades. Perhaps this is also related to an increasingly common high-sugar and high-fat diet.” The research team
now plans to investigate whether a ketogenic diet can benefit humans with asthma. Immunity, April 2020
Exercise: Exercise for Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density, which
can increase the risk for fracture in the event of a fall. The current research suggests that individuals with
osteoporosis or those who are at risk for the condition should engage in resistance training to improve bone mineral
density and posture/balance training to reduce the risk for falls. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, April 2020
Chiropractic: Smartphone Use and Chronic Neck Pain. Among a group of 2,438 young adults with chronic neck
pain, researchers observed an association between excessive smartphone use and increased evidence of cervical disk
degeneration. The findings suggest that the poor posture individuals often adopt when using their electronic devices
may elevate the risk for cervical spondylosis. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manual therapies
and specific exercises to reduce pain and improve function and posture in patients with chronic neck pain associated
with excessive smartphone use. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Diabetics Have Elevated Anxiety Risk. According to a new study that looked at nationwide data
from Taiwan’s national healthcare system, individuals with type 2 diabetes may be up to two times more likely to
report anxiety disorder within a ten-year timeframe. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, April 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Prevention Tips for a Healthy Future. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are common
chronic diseases that are often preventable with regular screening and lifestyle changes. UnityPoint Clinic offers
these tips for a healthier life: take regular walks, eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, wash your hands frequently,
use sunscreen, get plenty of calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones, and get regular cancer screenings.
Unity Point Health, March 2020
Quote: “Forever is composed of nows.” ~ Emily Dickinson

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

Health Alert: Heavy Drinking Earlier in Life Can Have Long-Term Consequences. Using data from the
Whitehall II cohort, researchers identified a link between heavy alcohol intake before midlife and hypertension,
impaired liver function, increased stroke risk, a larger waist circumference, and a higher body mass index (BMI)
later in life, even if heavy drinking stopped before age 50. Addiction, March 2020
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Schizophrenia Patients. The current research suggests that inflammation in
the brain may be the cause of some of the cognitive impairment observed in schizophrenia patients. In a study that
involved 72 individuals with schizophrenia, researchers observed that participants who consumed a daily omega 3
fatty acid supplement—which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and brain health benefits—experienced
both a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers and an improvement in cognitive performance.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, April 2020
Exercise: How Often Should You Exercise? The Department of Health and Human Services currently
recommends engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic
activity per week in addition to strength training all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
Mayo Clinic, March 2020
Chiropractic: Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Non-Specific Neck Pain. Among a group of 37 non-specific
neck pain patients treated with manual therapies, researchers observed that those who received treatment targeting
both the cervical and thoracic spine experienced greater reductions in pain and disability than participants who only
received treatment applied to the neck. JPMA, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Mental Health Issues After Delivery Reduce Odds of More Children. An analysis of data on
over 410,000 women who gave birth to their first child showed that those who developed conditions such as
depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia within six months postpartum were about 18% less likely to have additional
children. Study leader Dr. Xiaoqin Liu notes, “If they avoided another pregnancy due to fear of relapse, an important
clinical message to them is that prevention of relapse is possible.” Human Reproduction, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Osteoporosis. To reduce the risk for osteoporosis, experts from the Department of
Veterans Affairs recommend the following: eat foods rich in calcium, such as low-fat dairy, leafy green vegetables,
and sardines; ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake; perform weight-bearing exercises for 30 minutes, five
or more days a week; walk, dance, and weight train; know your family history; and consider having a bone density
screening test with your healthcare provider. Department of Veterans Affairs, March 2020
Quote: “Make life exciting, and you live longer.” ~ Stanley Marcus

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

Health Alert: Websites May Contain Incorrect Info on Antidepressants. Researchers reviewed articles from
39 informative websites from ten countries on the topic of antidepressant use and found that thirteen sites failed
to note that antidepressant use may increase suicide ideation, only two reported that antidepressants can increase
suicide risk, eleven did not warn patients of withdrawal effects, only five mentioned emotional numbing as a
side effect of antidepressant use, and only one suggested that antidepressants can be addictive. The authors
conclude, “The information was generally inaccurate and unhelpful and has potential to lead to inappropriate
use and overuse of antidepressants and reduce the likelihood that people will seek better options for depression
like psychotherapy.” International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, March 2020
Diet: Inflammatory Diet During Childhood Linked to Depression. An inflammatory dietary pattern is
characterized by a high intake to meat, eggs, preserved/processed foods, and sugary drinks. A review of data
from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children revealed that kids with an inflammatory dietary
pattern at age nine were up to 21% more likely to have depression at age eighteen.
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity Health, February 2020
Exercise: Exercise Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, engaging in
a regular exercise program is generally considered safe and can improve pain, function, fatigue, and mental
health. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, March 2020
Chiropractic: Chronic Neck Pain Can Affect the Mid Back. Examinations of 78 individuals (48 of whom
had chronic neck pain) revealed an association between chronic neck pain and abnormal thoracic spinal
curvature, reduce thoracic mobility, and impaired respiratory strength.
Annals of Rehabilitative Medicine, February 2020
Mental Attitude: TBI May Increase Stroke Risk Later in Life. A review of data concerning 132 individuals
treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI) between 2006 and 2010 revealed that those with more severe
concussions were significantly more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke in the following decade.
Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, February 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Deficiency and Poor Pregnancy Outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency during
pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk for preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm birth.
Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, March 2020
Quote: “You make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make you.” ~ Maxwell Maltz
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Weight Gain Dangerous to Lungs. While pulmonary function is expected to decline with
advancing age, the results of a study that monitored 3,700 adults for two decades found that weight gain over
time can hasten this process. Thorax, February 2020
Diet: The More You Know… Questionnaires completed by 438 college students revealed that those with
greater health literacy tended to consume more servings of fruits and vegetables per day than participants with
little knowledge of general health, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Journal of American College Health, March 2020
Exercise: Temporomandibular Dysfunction May Impair Aerobic Capacity. In this study, researchers
compared the peak oxygen consumption of 31 young women with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and
31 young women without the condition and observed that members of the TMD group had lower aerobic
capacity. Cranio, March 2020
Chiropractic: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Common Among Elderly. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a debilitating
condition associated with the degeneration of the spine, which can have a wide range of symptoms including
back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, and reduced physical function. A review of data from 41
published studies found that the prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis in the general population can range from
11%-39%, depending on diagnostic criteria. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to diagnosis degenerative
lumbar spinal stenosis and offer conservative treatment options such as spinal manipulation, exercise, and
nutritional counseling. European Spine Journal, February 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Can Sarcopenia Be Slowed or Reversed? Sarcopenia is a disease associated with the
loss of skeletal muscle mass during the aging process that affects around 12% of the elderly. The results of a
recent study suggest that consuming adequate amounts of protein and staying physically active can help
preserve skeletal muscle quality in seniors. Journal of Frailty and Aging, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: How to Lift Heavy Things. To reduce the risk of injury when lifting heavy objects, the
University of North Carolina recommends the following: prepare for the weight; get as close to the object as
possible; keep your back straight and bend at the knees; get a good handhold, and do not twist while lifting.
University of North Carolina, February 2020
Quote: “Love cultivates hope; hope fertilizes resilience, and we can all be farmers of dreams”
~ George E. Miller
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Many Young Adults Have Bad Health Habits. An analysis of data from the National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey found that less than half of young adults meet current exercise guidelines and
less than one in six consume the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. Federal guidelines recommend
engaging in 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity and consuming five or more servings of fruits
and vegetables per day. Western Journal of Nursing Research, February 2020
Diet: Another Reason to Eat More Fruits and Veggies… Using data from the Genes Environment Interaction
in Respiratory Diseases study, researchers estimate that individuals who consume a flavonoid-rich diet are less
likely to experience non-allergic rhinitis. Public Health Nutrition, January 2020
Exercise: Physical Activity Keeps the Brain from Shrinking? Researchers used MRI scans to collect data on
the brain size of more than 1,550 seniors and found that the average brain size of the most active participants
was 883 cubic centimeters, compared to only 871 cubic centimeters among those leading more sedentary lives.
The researchers note that this difference is equivalent to nearly four years of brain aging.
American Academy of Neurology, April 2020
Chiropractic: Up to 1 in 5 Headaches Originate in the Neck! Cervicogenic headaches are described as
headaches caused by dysfunction in the neck. The current research suggests that cervicogenic headaches
account for 15-20% of chronic headache cases. Doctors of chiropractic commonly use manual therapies, such as
mobilization and manipulation, to treat cervicogenic headaches. Brain and Nerve, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Sleep Helps Teens Adjust to High School. In this study, researchers observed that ninth
graders who slept eight or more hours per night were better able to adjust to the academic and social rigors of
high school than freshmen with poor sleep habits. Michigan State University, February 2020
Mental Attitude: Healthy Heart When Young Leads to Healthier Brain Later. The results of a long-term
study regarding participants whom researchers monitored from age 24 through age 54 found that those with a
healthier heart at the start of the study performed better on memory and cognitive assessments three decades
later. Study author Dr. Farzaneh Sorond writes, “We’ve known that vascular risk factors such as high blood
pressure and high blood glucose levels are linked to cerebrovascular damage and problems with thinking skills
in older people, but this study shows that these factors may be linked decades earlier and injury may start much
earlier.” American Academy of Neurology, April 2020
Quote: “A good half of the art of living is resilience.” ~ Alain de Botton
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Persistent Concussion Symptoms and Sleep Apnea. Examinations of 51 patients with
persistent concussion symptoms revealed that 78% also had sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea reduces the
body’s ability to experience restorative sleep, the findings suggest that improving sleep quality in mildtraumatic brain injury patients may reduce the risk for ongoing concussion symptoms.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, March 2020
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Lead to Healthier Aging. The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating fruits,
vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy, saturated fats,
and refined sugars. An evaluation of 143 elderly patients revealed that those who most closely followed the
Mediterranean diet were less likely to two or more chronic conditions.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, February 2020
Exercise: Evening Exercise May Slow Glaucoma. Glaucoma is an incurable eye disease that causes an
increase in pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve, eventually leading to vision loss. In a study
involving 98 glaucoma patients, researchers observed that the disease progressed more slowly in those who
exercised during the evening. Eye and Vision, March 2020
Chiropractic: Stabilization Exercises and Chronic Neck Pain. An analysis of data from six randomized
controlled trials found that stabilization exercises can reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic
neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate such exercises in their treatment plans for chronic neck
pain patients in addition to spinal manipulation, mobilization, and other manual therapies.
Journal of Neurological Surgery, March 2020
Mental Attitude: Do Smartphones Exacerbate Headaches? A survey of 400 chronic headache sufferers
revealed that excessive smartphone use is associated with more frequent and more intense headaches. The
findings suggest that cutting back on smartphone use would benefit headache sufferers.
Neurology Clinical Practice, March 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Dietary Choices and Lung Cancer Risk. A review of data from 30 published studies
suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, zinc, and vitamins B, C, D, and E is associated with a
reduced risk for lung cancer. The findings suggest that nutritional recommendations should be included in
smoking cessation programs. Tumori, March 2020
Quote: “It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.” ~ Rene Descartes
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Health Alert: Colon Cancer Hits the Poor and City Dwellers the Hardest. An analysis of data
concerning nearly 27,000 colon cancer patients in the United States revealed that colon cancer-related
mortality rates are higher in both urban environments and in areas with below-average per capita incomes
than in more affluent suburbs. The findings reveal that more effort is needed to provide access and remove
barriers to care to reduce colon cancer’s impact on society.
American Society of Clinical Oncology, January 2020
Diet: Vitamin D Supplement May Help with Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. Among a group of 57 type 2
diabetics, those given a vitamin D supplement reported improvements with respect to both neuropathic pain
symptoms and balance. Journal of Pain Research, January 2020
Exercise: Physical Activity Can Help Regulate Your Appetite. According to a new study that monitored
the calorie consumption of 130 adults on a weight loss diet, engaging in regular exercise reduces the risk of
overeating at a meal by over 50%. Health Psychology, January 2020
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Factors in the Elderly. Examinations of 279 older adults revealed that
seniors who are free of musculoskeletal pain are more likely to have to following characteristics: healthy
weight; stronger back muscles, greater physical ability, better balance with eyes closed, greater lumbar
range of motion, and normal lumbopelvic alignment and sagittal posture.
Biomed Research International, November 2019
Mental Attitude: Ways to Deal with Sadness. To manage the feelings of sadness that come with the end
of a close relationship or the death of a loved one, experts advise the following: allow yourself to be sad
and cry if you feel like you need to; listen to music or spend time with family and friends; think about the
context of the sad feelings; remember that emotions are changing and will come and go; and know when
sadness turns into depression and get help if this happens. Gundersen Health Systems, January 2020
Wellness/Prevention: Low Vitamin D Status and COPD Progression. Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is one of the leading causes
of death in the United States. The results of a study involving 151 male COPD patients revealed that severe
vitamin D deficiency is associated with more rapid progression of emphysema.
Respiratory Medicine, January 2020
Quote: “Time is the fairest and toughest judge.” ~ Edgar Quinet

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