Mental Attitude: Many Concussion Patients Are Left Wondering… Researchers surveyed 831 patients who suffered a
concussion or mild-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that only 47% received educational materials about TBI from
their doctor following their diagnosis. About a third of the patients in the study experienced three or more moderate-tosevere
concussion symptoms within the proceeding three months but only half had a follow-up visit with a healthcare
provider. JAMA Network Open, May 2018
Health Alert: Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Increases Miscarriage Risk. An analysis of data concerning 5.7 million
Chinese women found that non-smokers in households with one or more smokers have a 17% greater risk of miscarriage
than women in smoke-free homes. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, June 2018
Diet: Eat More Plant-Based Foods to Help Stay Thin. Among a group of over 9,600 older adults, those with a diet rich
in plant-based foods had a significantly lower average BMI and fat mass index scores than participants with a more
traditional Western-style diet. Lead author Dr. Zhangling Chen adds, “Our study suggests that a more plant-based and less
animal-based diet beyond strict adherence to vegan or vegetarian diets may be beneficial for preventing
overweight/obesity in middle-aged and elderly populations.” European Congress on Obesity, May 2018
Exercise: HIIT is As Enjoyable As Traditional Exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves multiple short
bursts of intense exercise and is known to offer many health benefits. In this study, researchers recruited 30 inactive men
and women who had never tried HIIT before. Participants then completed both high-intensity and traditional moderateintensity
exercise programs and then rated each on a multi-point pleasure-displeasure scale. Despite reporting higher
levels of displeasure during the HIIT sessions, participants subsequently rated both forms of exercise as equally enjoyable
and 79% later went on to perform HIIT on their own. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, May 2018
Chiropractic: Common Characteristics for Back Pain and Sciatica. Back pain is highly prevalent and associated with
significant disability and work absenteeism worldwide. Investigators recently performed a systematic review and
identified the following risk factors for both low back pain and sciatica: advancing age, poor general health, physical
stress on spine, and psychological stress. With the exception of age, the other characteristics are potentially modifiable
and should be addressed to help reduce the risk of future episodes of low back pain and/or sciatica.
Spine Journal, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Eye Health. Vision problems tend to increase as one ages, but there are things you
can do to help protect your eye sight: have a medical eye exam by age 40, when early signs of disease may begin without
any symptoms; find out what your family history is for inherited eye diseases; eat a healthy diet that’s low in fat and high
in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains; don’t smoke, as it increases the risk of eye diseases, such as cataracts and agerelated
macular degeneration; and remember to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage while
outside. American Academy of Opthalmology, May 2018
Quote: “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” ~ Maya Angelou
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Mid-Life Risk Factors for Dementia. An analysis of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in
Communities Study revealed that obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension during middle age are each
associated with an increased risk for dementia later in life. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, May 2018
Health Alert: Fentanyl Driving Overdose Deaths in America. Drug overdose deaths in the United States
involving fentanyl-type drugs have increased from about 3,000 in 2000 to about 19,400 in 2016! The findings are not
that surprising to researchers since these drugs are about 50-times more potent than heroin and nearly 100-times
more powerful than morphine. Dr. Linda Richter from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse notes
these findings “solidly confirm what front-line healthcare and law enforcement professionals in towns and cities
across the country know from firsthand experience: deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the main drivers
of drug overdose deaths in the United States.” Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2018
Diet: Protein Supplements Timing. Should you consume protein supplements with meals or between meals?
Researchers recently assessed data from 34 studies and discovered that consuming protein supplements with meals is
more effective for weight control, while consuming protein supplements between meals can help increase body
mass. Nutrition Reviews, April 2018
Exercise: Fitness Helps Seniors Recall Words. Ever find yourself trying to recall a word that’s on the tip of your
tongue? In a study that included both seniors and young adults, researchers found that those with higher aerobic
fitness levels performed better on word recall tests. Scientific Reports, April 2018
Chiropractic: When to Seek Care for Low Back Pain. The majority of people will experience an episode of low
back pain at some point in their life. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends seeking treatment if
you have the following symptoms: pain that radiates down your leg below your knee; leg, foot, or groin numbness;
fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or weakness; difficulty going to the bathroom; low back pain caused
by an injury; pain so intense that you can’t move; and pain persisting or worsening after two weeks.
American Academy of Family Physicians, May 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Living in the Vicinity of a Farm May Prevent Allergies. Past research has shown that
children who grow up on farms develop fewer allergies, but what about people who live near farms? Researchers
surveyed 2,500 adults who lived in rural areas and found that those who resided within about 1,000 feet of livestock
were 27% less likely to have allergies compared to those who lived further away. The authors say the finding
supports the “hygiene hypothesis,” which states that exposing the immune-system to allergy triggers called antigens
actually helps prime the body against developing allergies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2018
Quote: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Mental Attitude: Mid-Life Stresses Tied to Dementia Risk Later On… An analysis of data from four studies that
included nearly 40,000 people appears to indicate a possible connection between anxiety during middle age and a
diagnosis of dementia in old age. The authors of the analysis suggest that an abnormal stress response may speed
brain cell aging and breakdowns in the nervous system, creating a vulnerability to dementia. Senior researcher Dr.
Natalie Marchant explains, “Given the long time interval between the assessment of anxiety and the diagnosis of
dementia—on average greater than 10 years—the findings from our review indicate that moderate to severe anxiety
may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia.” BMJ Open, April 2018
Health Alert: Obesity Risk Increases Among Sleep-Deprived Kids. A review of 42 studies that included over
75,000 children revealed that those who got less than the recommended amount of sleep for their age were 58%
more likely to become overweight or obese than kids who got adequate sleep. Study co-author Dr, Michelle Miller
explains, “The results showed a consistent relationship across all ages, indicating that the increased risk is present in
both younger and older children… The study also reinforces the concept that sleep deprivation is an important risk
factor for obesity, detectable very early on in life.” Sleep, April 2018
Diet: Fish and Legumes May Help Delay Menopause. Women who consume a diet rich in fish and legumes may
delay the onset of menopause. In this study, researchers found that females who consumed one additional daily
portion of oily fish or fresh legumes (like peas and beans) began menopause more than three years later than women
who ate fewer daily servings of fish or legumes. The researchers conclude, “Our findings confirm that diet may be
associated with the age at natural menopause. This may be relevant at a public health level since age at natural
menopause may have implications on future health outcomes.”
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, April 2018
Exercise: Get Active to Prevent Health Issues. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to a host of physical and mental
woes. According to the National Library of Medicine, inactive adults have an elevated risk for obesity, heart disease,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.
National Library of Medicine, May 2018
Chiropractic: Sitting Too Long Linked to Chronic Back Pain. According to a new study that involved 15,000
Korean adults, sitting for more than seven hours per day is significantly associated with an increased risk for chronic
low back pain. Additionally, the researchers observed that participants with poor fitness had an even greater risk for
low back pain in relation to the amount of time they spent sitting. Spine, April 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Important for Cancer Survivors. Among a sample of 434 head and neck cancer
patients, researchers found that those with a vitamin D deficiency were almost twice more likely to experience a
cancer recurrence than patients with healthy vitamin D levels. Laryngoscope, May 2018
Quote: “Success is attaining your dream while helping others to benefit from that dream materializing.”
~ Sugar Ray Leonard

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

Mental Attitude: Body Weight and Dementia Risk. While being overweight is linked to a number of poor health
outcomes, being underweight in old age can have a detrimental effect on the brain. In this study, which looked at
data from the Gothenburg Birth Cohort Studies, researchers found that seniors with a body mass index under 20 had
a greater risk for dementia than participants who maintained a healthy body weight during old age.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 2018
Health Alert: Marijuana and Tobacco Smoke Exposure Tied to Elevated ER Visit Risk. Children from homes
in which an adult smokes either tobacco or marijuana are 24% more likely to have visited an emergency room in the
previous year and twice as likely to have been diagnosed with an ear infection. The researchers say the findings
should not be a surprise, as second-hand smoke has been linked to health problems in children, including upper
respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma. Lead researcher Dr. Adam Johnson writes, “I think it’s going to get
more and more prevalent as more states across the country start legalizing [marijuana], because it’s a big business,
and there’s a lot of push to legalize recreational marijuana use.” Pediatric Academic Society, May 2018
Diet: Teens Drinking Less Soda, But More Sport Drinks. An analysis of data from surveys completed by
teenagers in 2010 and 2015 found that while fewer adolescents are drinking soda, there has been a slight uptick in
sugary sport drink consumption. The researchers note that most kids do not need such drinks even if they are
physically active and would benefit from simply drinking water. Pediatrics, May 2018
Exercise: School Kids Not Getting Enough Exercise. University of South Carolina researchers report that among a
group of 1,570 elementary school students, only 9.3% of girls and 10.4% of boys engaged more than the
recommended 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.
American Journal of Preventative Medicine, May 2018
Chiropractic: Keyboard Musicians Often Have Musculoskeletal Pain. According to a recent research review,
anywhere from 25.8% to 77% of keyboard musicians suffer from musculoskeletal pain in one or more body sites,
with the wrists and hands being the most affected, followed by the neck and shoulders. Further analysis showed that
playing for more than 60 minutes at a time without a break and practicing for more than 20 hours a week both
increased the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort among keyboard musicians. PM&R, April 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Five Steps to Living Longer. Americans can add a decade to their life expectancy with just a
handful of healthy habits. The findings from two studies that followed the health habits and lifestyles of over
123,000 health professionals starting in the 1980s revealed that the five key factors for improving longevity include
not smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining a normal weight, and drinking only in moderation.
Circulation, April 2018
Quote: “Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.”
~ Thomas Hardy

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

Mental Attitude: Money Worries Have Americans Anxious. A nationwide poll of more than 1,000 adults
revealed that 39% of respondents are more anxious than they were a year ago, with finances, safety, and health
topping the list as sources of anxiety. American Psychiatric Association, May 2018
Health Alert: Illnesses Tied to Ticks and Mosquitoes Soaring in US. Diseases transmitted by ticks and
mosquitoes in the United States (US) have more than tripled over the past decade from about 27,000 cases in 2004 to
over 96,000 cases in 2016. Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) adds, “Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected
mosquito, tick or flea— have confronted the US in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don’t know
what will threaten Americans next.” The report reveals the need for an increased effort to both combat the spread of
these pests and better educate the public how to prevent bites. CDC Vital Signs Report, May 2018
Diet: Eating More Produce Lowers Depression Risk. An analysis of data from 18 published studies found that
each 100-gram increase in daily fruit and vegetable intake reduces an individual’s risk for depression by 3%.
British Journal of Nutrition, May 2018
Exercise: Can Exercise Make Your Heart Younger? In this study, researchers found that mice that ran the
equivalent of 3.1 miles (5 km) per day generated about 4.5 times more new heart muscle cells than mice that
abstained from exercise. The investigators report that these findings demonstrate how exercise can increases the
heart’s capacity to regenerate. Researcher Dr. Anthony Rosenzweig notes, “Maintaining a healthy heart requires
balancing the loss of heart muscle cells due to injury or aging with the regeneration or birth of new heart muscle
cells. Our study suggests exercise can help tip the balance in favor of regeneration.”
Nature Communications, April 2018
Chiropractic: Shoulder Strength Affected By Posture. A recent study assessed the effect of various sitting
postures on the external rotator muscle strength of the shoulder. Among a group of 100 participants, researchers
observed that shoulder external rotator strength declined 8% following five minutes of sitting in a forward head
rounded shoulder posture. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Early Breast Screening May Reduce Need for Aggressive Treatments. Early breast
cancer screening may translate into smaller tumors and less aggressive breast cancer treatments. In this study,
researchers found that women whose last mammogram was 25 months or more before their breast cancer diagnosis
were 50% more likely to need chemotherapy, 32% more likely to have a mastectomy, 66% more likely to need
lymph nodes removed, and had larger tumors than those who more recently underwent a breast cancer screening.
Study author Dr. Elisa Port notes, “There are multiple benefits of mammography in terms of early detection. Not
only do we save lives, but we reduce the likelihood of needing more aggressive treatment.”
American Society of Breast Surgeons, May 2018
Quote: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” ~ Alan Kay

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

Mental Attitude: Too Many Drivers Using Their Phones, Despite Knowing Dangers. Past studies have shown that
drivers who talk on cellphones are up to four times more likely to crash, and those who text are up to eight times more
likely to be involved in a collision than individuals who don’t use phones while driving. A survey of more than 2,600
drivers revealed that nearly 58% agreed that talking on a cell phone is a serious threat to their safety, while 78% admitted
the texting is a significant danger. Yet, nearly 50% of those surveyed said they had recently talked on their cellphone
while driving and more than one-third had sent a text or email while behind the wheel. AAA, April 2018
Health Alert: Nearly 10% of Adults Now Have Type 2 Diabetes in the US. According to a new report, 21 million
adults in the United States (US) now have type 2 diabetes, a condition linked to being overweight or obese that increases
the risk for heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, vision loss, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 2018
Diet: Ensure Your Fruits and Vegetables Are Safe to Eat. Though rich in vital nutrients and vitamins, raw fruits and
veggies can harbor potentially harmful germs, such as Salmonella and E. coli. When selecting fresh produce, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the following: choose produce that doesn’t look bruised or damaged; keep
precut fruit and vegetables cold; keep fruit and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood in your grocery
bags and in the refrigerator; wash hands, knives, cutting boards, and countertops before and after preparing fruit and
vegetables; and wash all produce before eating, cutting, or cooking.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2018
Exercise: Physically Active Kids May Sleep Better. Among a group of 1,100 Brazilian teenagers, researchers found that
those with low aerobic fitness were 80% more likely to experience poor sleep quality.
World Journal of Pediatrics, March 2018
Chiropractic: Manipulation Plus Exercise Helps Teens with Back Pain. Back pain is common in the adolescent
population, but little research exists on treatment options for this group of patients. In a new study, researchers randomly
assigned teenagers with back pain into one of two treatment groups for a three-month period: spinal manipulation
combined with exercise therapy or exercise therapy alone. The investigators monitored low back pain severity, disability,
quality of life, medication use, and patient and caregiver-rated improvement and satisfaction at 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The
findings revealed that for adolescents with back pain, spinal manipulation combined with exercise is more effective than
exercise alone over a one-year period. Pain, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Turn Down the Volume! Experts estimate that up to 20% of Americans aged 12 to 19 have some
degree of hearing loss. Technology is most likely to blame, especially with the use of earbuds. To help protect your
child’s hearing, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: instruct them turn down the volume to about 60%, ask
them to take breaks after an hour of listening, and make sure your child can talk to others and hear what’s going on around
them when listening to music. American Academy of Pediatrics, April 2018
Quote: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” ~ Nelson Mandela

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

Mental Attitude: Depression Raises Dementia Risk in Type 1 Diabetics. Among a sample of 3,742 type 1 diabetics,
those with depression at middle-age had a 72% increased risk for developing dementia over the next two decades. This
finding is especially worrisome to researchers as 20% of participants had diagnosed depression at the onset of the study.
Aging & Mental Health, April 2018
Health Alert: Childhood Friendships May Be Key to Health Later On. Your childhood best friend may have a
surprising protective effect on your health in adulthood. In this study, researchers monitored the social lives of 267
individuals between age six and age sixteen and found that boys who spent more time with friends had a lower risk for
high blood pressure and obesity in their early thirties. Researcher Dr. Jenny M. Cundiff notes, “These findings suggest
that our early social lives may have a small protective influence on our physical health in adulthood, and it’s not just our
caregivers or financial circumstances, but also our friends who may be health protective.”
Psychological Science, March 2018
Diet: Veggies Are Heart Healthy for Women. Consuming vegetables can help older women keep their blood vessels
healthy. In this study, researchers found that the carotid artery walls of women who ate the most vegetables were about
0.05 millimeter thinner than those who ate the fewest servings of veggies, suggesting a lower risk for heart disease. Lead
researcher Dr. Lauren Blekkenhorst adds, “These findings reinforce the importance of adequate vegetable intake to reduce
your risk of atherosclerosis [“hardening of the arteries”], heart attacks, and strokes.”
Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2018
Exercise: Tai Chi Improve Respiratory Function for Those with COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) patients who engaged in a twelve-week tai chi intervention experienced similar improvements on the Saint
Georges Respiratory Questionnaire—a standard measure of health status for patients with airway obstruction—as patients
in a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program. Chest, March 2018
Chiropractic: On-Call Work May Raise Risk for Back Pain and Other Problems. On-call work requires being ready
to work at any time, which can be very stressful for many individuals. A recent study investigated the association between
on-call work and health issues among a sample of over 29,000 men and women from a variety of industries and found that
being on-call increases the risk for the following conditions: hearing problems, skin problems, back pain, muscular pain in
arms and legs, headache, abdominal pain, depression and anxiety, and sleep problems.
Annals of Occupational Environmental Medicine, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Be Aware of Gluten in Medication. Individuals who suffer from gluten intolerance or sensitivity
must pay close attention to ingredients, as even a small amount of gluten can cause a reaction. Even over-the-counter and
prescription meds can contain gluten. To avoid gluten in medications, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests:
carefully read the ingredients on all your meds, talk to you physician about your gluten issues, and ask your pharmacist to
double check ingredients on the medications you are picking up. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March 2018
Quote: “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” ~ Dale Carnegie

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

Mental Attitude: High Blood Pressure Linked to Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative
disorder that affects over one million Americans. After reviewing data from seven studies involving over 340,000
patients, researchers report that hypertensive adults have more than a 30% increased risk for developing Parkinson’s
disease later in life. Frontiers in Neurology, March 2018
Health Alert: Obesity May Cause Liver Damage By Age Eight. A long-term study involving 635 children found that
obese eight-year-olds are almost twice as likely to have elevated levels of an enzyme called ALT in their blood, which
signals their liver function may be impaired. Lead author Dr. Jennifer Woo Baidal writes, “With the rise in childhood
obesity, we are seeing more kids with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in our pediatric weight management practice…
Many parents know that obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions, but there is far less awareness
that obesity, even in young children, can lead to serious liver disease.” Journal of Pediatrics, April 2018
Diet: Red Meat Linked to Colon Cancer Risk in Women. In this study, researchers reviewed data concerning more
than 32,000 women in the United Kingdom and found that those who regularly ate red meat were more likely to develop
distal colon cancer than the females in the study who did not eat red meat. Dr. Elena Ivanina, a gastroenterologist at
Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City notes, “Multiple studies have already highlighted that long-term consumption of
red meat or processed meats are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly for left-sided or distal
tumors, and this study does uphold this.” International Journal of Cancer, April 2018
Exercise: Yoga and Exercise Help Atrial Fibrillation Patients. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition that causes a rapid
and irregular heartbeat, which can lead to cardiovascular events like stroke and heart failure. A systemic review of studies
published in over 1,800 journals concluded that both yoga and moderate physical exercise can help patients manage the
symptoms associated with AF and improve their overall quality of life. American Journal of Cardiology, February 2018
Chiropractic: Manipulative Therapy Provides Benefits to Those with COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production, and
wheezing. A recent study found that manipulative therapies can help improve functional exercise capacity in patients with
COPD, potentially helping to improve the quality of life of patients with the condition.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Rear-Facing Car Seats Protect in Rear-End Crashes. Little research exists on child safety in
rear-facing car seats in the event of a rear-end crash. In this study, Ohio State University researchers tested several rearfacing
car seats in rear-end crashes and found that all of the seats were effective at supporting a child’s head, neck, and
spine. Study lead author Dr. Julie Mansfield adds, “Even though the child is facing the direction of the impact, it doesn’t
mean that a rear-facing car seat isn’t going to do its job…It still has lots of different features and mechanisms to absorb
that crash energy and protect the child.” SAE International, April 2018
Quote: “Our entire life consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are.” ~ Jean Anouilh

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

Mental Attitude: Nutritional Deficiencies in Early Life May Affect Dementia Risk. Past research has identified a
relationship between short adult leg length and the quality of nutrition in early life. In a study that included over 13,000
seniors from East Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America, researchers found an association between short leg length and
dementia risk. This finding suggests that poor nutrition in childhood may be predictive of dementia risk later in life.
PLOS ONE, April 2018
Health Alert: Stressful Life Events Increase Diabetes Risk. According to a new study that involved almost 8,000
middle-aged adults, there is a relationship between an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and the total number of
major stressful events an individual encounters in his or her lifetime. Examples of stressful life events include the death of
a spouse or child, divorce, marital separation, imprisonment, the death of a close family member, personal injury or
illness, and job loss. The researchers conclude, “Reducing the direct effect of stress with management interventions may
reduce the indirect effect of developing T2DM and warrants further investigation.” Journals of Gerontology, April 2018
Diet: High-Carb Diet May Be Bad for Cancer Survivors… In this study, researchers tracked the pre- and posttreatment
diet of more than 400 cancer patients and found that those who consumed the most carbohydrates and sugars in
the year before cancer treatment had an elevated risk of mortality from any cause during the following two years.
International Journal of Cancer, March 2018
Exercise: Encourage Teens to Play Organized Sports. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals with poor
fitness levels as they enter adulthood have an increased risk for a number of negative health outcomes. In this study,
researchers found that teens who participated in organized sports during late adolescence had higher fitness levels at age
19 than their peers who did not. The authors conclude, “From a health perspective, in terms of [cardiorespiratory fitness],
the findings highlight the importance of encouraging adolescents to participate in organized sport and to refrain from
dropping out of organized sport programs.” Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, April 2018
Chiropractic: Canadian Guidelines Support Manipulation for Back Pain. An eight-member multidisciplinary panel
recently set out to determine clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute and chronic low back pain in adults.
Their review of the current available evidence led them to conclude that a multimodal approach including spinal
manipulative therapy, other commonly used active interventions, self-management advice, and exercise are an effective
treatment strategy for the management of both acute and chronic back pain, with or without leg pain.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, March 2018
Wellness/Prevention: Help Reduce Water Pollution. The Office of Women’s Health notes that drinking polluted water
can cause vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and reproductive and developmental problems. To help reduce the risk of
consuming polluted water, the agency recommends the following: recycle batteries and other harmful electronic waste;
test your drinking water for harmful pollutants; filter or boil water to remove bacteria, lead, or chlorine; take used motor
oil to a recycling center; and use cold water for drinking and cooking, as it is less likely to contain lead.
Office of Women’s Health, April 2018
Quote: “Only a mediocre person is always at his best.” ~ W. Somerset Maugham

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

Mental Attitude: ADHD and Smoking… Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who become
smokers tend to try their first cigarette at a younger age than their peers without ADHD. Additionally, the data show that
smokers with ADHD smoke more cigarettes per day and have a more difficult time quitting.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, March 2018
Health Alert: Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this study, researchers compared the health history of
8,760 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 26,280 children without ASD. They found the following risk
factors associated with ASD: maternal mental illness, epilepsy, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, polycystic ovary
syndrome, infection, or asthma; assisted fertility; hyperemesis, younger maternal age; labor complications; low birth
weight; infant infection; epilepsy; birth asphyxia; and newborn complications. Pediatric Research, March 2018
Diet: Even If You Eat Healthy Foods, Salt Can Increase Your Blood Pressure. An analysis of the dietary intake and
urine samples of more than 4,000 adults revealed that a diet rich fruits and vegetables fails to counter the hypertensive
effects of consuming too much salt. Study author Dr. Queenie Chan writes, “We currently have a global epidemic of high
salt intake—and high blood pressure. This research shows there are no cheats when it comes to reducing blood pressure.
Having a low-salt diet is key—even if your diet is otherwise healthy and balanced.” Hypertension, March 2018
Exercise: Exercise Reduces Recurrent Fall Risk. New research suggests that engaging in regular physical activity can
protect seniors from falls. In this study, investigators found that older adults who exercise are 39% less likely to
experience recurrent falls than their more sedentary peers. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, March 2018
Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Disease Among Children Is an Economic Burden in the US. According to a new
report, more than 19 million children and adolescents in the United States (US) received treatment in medical centers,
private medical practices, and hospitals for musculoskeletal-related conditions or injuries in 2012 at a total cost of about
$7.6 billion. The report also found that musculoskeletal conditions account for 5.4% of hospital charges in the pediatric
population, but only 1.4% of pediatric research funding is dedicated to musculoskeletal research. The authors of the report
note the costs are most likely underestimated and that further research is needed to determine better ways of tracking
direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal conditions among children. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, February 2018
Wellness/Prevention: What to Ask If You Have Breast Cancer… When receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, it is
important to prepare a list of questions for your doctor. The American Cancer Society recommends inquiring about the
following: the type and size of the breast cancer; if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or elsewhere; what stage is
the cancer; how curable is the cancer; what tests, if any, are needed before deciding on treatment; the need to see any other
doctor; what is the hormone receptor status of the cancer; what is the HER2 status of the cancer; what are the survival
rate; and what are the costs and insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment? American Cancer Society, March 2018
Quote: “If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas.” ~ Steve Maraboli

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