UF Health Podcasts

Of all the endearing behaviors our cats demonstrate, the wiggle-and-pounce ranks high on the list. We’re talking about the low crouch and butt wiggle that precedes a cat springing on its prey.

Nobody knows exactly why domestic cats — as well as some large wild cats — act this way, but there are a number of theories. One of the main theories suggests that cats wiggle their back end to fine tune their vision, balance and muscles before they pounce. They could be testing surface traction and support before a powerful leap. It may even be that the dopamine released when a cat plays and hunts just makes them feel good.

Whether we humans find the explanation or not, the pre-pounce butt wiggle is one more reason to love our feline friends.

When your pet isn’t acting quite right, sometimes it’s tough to tell if you should let it ride or take it more seriously. For example, when should your sneezing cat be examined?

Cats sneeze once in a while if their nasal cavity is irritated. But if the sneezing persists, that needs looking into.

Taking a video of your buddy in the act could help your veterinarian, because coughing, wheezing and gagging can mimic sneezing.

True sneezing can be caused by many things, including inhaled foreign objects, dental disease, infections or tumors — just to name a few. Frequent sneezing, especially along with other symptoms, like nasal discharge or loss of appetite, is reason enough to schedule a veterinary visit.

The weather is warmer, the sunlight lasts longer and spring is finally here. In most parts of the country, anyway.

Along with short-sleeved T-shirts, outdoor workouts and April showers, seasonal pollen is back, right on schedule, to cause sniffly, irritating allergy symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than a quarter of American adults are sensitive to seasonal allergens. From airway irritation to congestion and sneezing, the exposure can affect you in all sorts of ways, including your ability to exercise.

Allergies don’t just hamper workouts. They can also affect post-workout muscle recovery and even disrupt our sleep.

If you train outdoors, you can’t avoid everything that might make you sneeze. The worst time for pollen is on dry, windy days, but planning your workouts for the early morning or early evening can mean facing a more reasonable pollen count. Another ideal time is immediately after it rains. That’s because rain cleans the air and literally grounds pollen and other allergens.

Doctors say the most effective way to prevent seasonal allergies is to take the right medication before heading outside. Over-the-counter corticosteroid spray and oral antihistamines work well.

Protective gear, like a brimmed hat and sunglasses, will also help.

Pollen sticks to you, so leave your shoes at the door and put your workout gear in the washing machine. Don’t forget to shower as well. It’s the best way to wash off allergens and clear them out of your nose, hair and eyes.

Age comes for everyone. At some point, our youthful, smooth skin begins to show signs of wear — a laugh line here, a new crease there. Humans have been fighting aging skin for millennia, and today we have access to more creams, serums, ointments and applications than at any other time in history.

But do they work?

A new research review reveals that, while some pricey potions might help give our skin a youthful boost, the most effective weapon to fight aging skin might be the chemicals our bodies already produce.

German researchers explored the relationship between aging skin and the endocrine system, which produces hormones.

Our skin ages through a combination of genetic factors as well as external factors like UV ray exposure and pollution. While we can’t avoid growing old, we can take care of our skin.

Besides affecting appearance, aging skin also has less wound healing capacity, less able to protect us from toxins and more susceptibility to skin cancers and infections.

And while we typically think of hormones being produced inside the body, our skin also produces hormones, such as estrogen, melatonin, cortisol and oxytocin [oxy-toh-sin].

This latest research offers a peek at how developing new therapies or targeting hormone pathways could help address aging skin in the future. Researchers also envision endocrine “cocktails” that would include a combination of hormones or similar compounds aimed at improving aging skin.

If your laugh lines are growing more noticeable, just know that science is still uncovering new approaches to treating aging skin. Hopefully — and pun intended — there won’t be any wrinkles in the research.

It’s a 21st century phenomenon, as you might expect, without historical antecedent. After all, when the knights of the roundtable sat down to discuss business, Sir Lancelot probably wasn’t fixated on the imperfections of his nose.

Today, video conferencing gives us a prolonged look at someone whose eyes we should perhaps avoid.

Ourselves.

A team of American researchers recently questioned whether the self-view offered by popular video-conferencing programs make us all too likely to focus on our perceived defects.

Their research indicates that people are more apt to consider cosmetic procedures the longer they stare at themselves during these calls.

Scientists say sitting in a long online meeting is like sitting in front of a mirror. And the study notes that program features allowing users to touch up their image might actually make things worse, by creating an idealized version of one’s image.

Investigators surveyed 500 participants about their video-conferencing habits. Nearly 70% said they used features to touch up their appearance during calls. Two-thirds say they often looked at their own faces as others made presentations.

More than half report their time online affected their desire for cosmetic procedures such as surgery, Botox, or weight reduction or laser treatments.

It’s similar to another modern malady called Snapchat dysmorphia. That’s when someone undergoes cosmetic alterations to better resemble their filtered, online likeness.

Perhaps no big surprise, but when mask-wearing was encouraged during the pandemic, nearly 69% of those who often saw themselves on screen reported better self-esteem when they wore masks.

When Florida’s marine mammals and sea turtles become sick, injured or die, a quick response is essential to understand the issues at play and, if needed, provide a means for care and treatment. At the University of Florida, the Marine Animal Rescue Program plays that role, working closely with other stranding networks within the state of Florida and nationally when needed. On this show, Dr. Mike Walsh, a clinical associate professor at UF and the program’s director, will discuss some of the program’s accomplishments since its inception, including the recovery of a deceased dolphin and the collaborations that led to a diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

If you didn’t use all your vacation days last year, you’re not alone.

Many of us leave an abundance of vacation time on the table. In fact, in 2018, Americans left 768 million vacation days unused.

And even if we do take some time off, we may still have that nagging feeling of needing to send one last email. But you might want to reconsider that mindset — especially if you want your time off to count.

A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that vacations offer more benefits than we once thought, and that those benefits last long after you reach your destination.

The paper, which analyzed 32 studies across nine countries, found that employees who psychologically disengaged from work during their time off experienced the most significant boost to their well-being. That means no emails, no Zoom calls, and, ideally, next to no thoughts about the office — yes, even if you work from home.

In this case, the research holds true: Vacations are one of the few opportunities we must truly disconnect from the day-to-day grind.

Engaging in physical activities on vacation, like hiking or snorkeling, further boosts your well-earned well-being. But don’t worry about pumping iron or running a 10K — anything that gets your heart rate up counts.

One caveat: Longer vacations seem to offer more benefits but can also lead to a sharper decline in wellness once you’re back to work. That’s why planning and giving yourself a day or two to ease back into the work routine can help you transition more smoothly and maximize the benefits of your time off.

So, next time, make it count — and leave your to-do list for work behind.

Picture this: You’re trying to enjoy a walk outside when the sounds of horns honking, engines revving, and cars whooshing by cut into your peaceful state.

If that strikes you as less than relaxing, researchers agree. A new study has found that the sounds of nature can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, but its benefits are minimal when interrupted by noisy traffic.

Scientists from the University of West England studied 68 university students without anxiety and depression and gave them a series of tests designed to measure how sound affects stress and mood.

Each participant completed three rounds of testing. They began by listening to a stress-inducing video for one minute, then listened to one of three sound combinations for three minutes. The different combinations included pure natural sounds, natural sounds mixed with 20 mile per hour traffic noise, and natural sounds mixed with 40 mile per hour traffic noise.

After each round, participants answered questions about their stress levels.

Results showed that pure natural sounds were most effective in reducing stress and anxiety. Participants’ reported stress was lowest at this point. Stress levels were slightly higher when the 20 mile per hour traffic noise was mixed in.

The 40 mile per hour traffic noise combination produced the highest level of reported stress and anxiety among participants, significantly masking the calming effects of the nature sounds.

If you’re finding yourself gripping the steering wheel in anger, it might be a good time to plan a trip out of the city — and give your ears and mind a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle.

Time for a pop quiz — Which activities in older adults are tied to delaying dementia?

A: Volunteering

B: Dining out

C: Attending church, or

D: All of the above

If you said D, all of the above, then … bingo! You are correct. Incidentally, playing bingo is another activity that can help stave off dementia.

A recent study from Rush University in Chicago reveals that older adults who regularly engaged in social activities developed dementia five years later than those who were less social. The most social seniors developed dementia around age 92, while the less social participants showed signs of the disease around age 87.

Similar results were seen in those who developed mild cognitive impairment. The most social group showed signs at age 79, while the least social group did so at age 74.

The study also found that those who were more socially active had a 38% lower overall risk of developing dementia.

Researchers focused on several common social activities, things like traveling, volunteering, visiting friends and family, attending religious services, or even playing bingo.

The research shows that delaying the onset of dementia for five years would save around $500,000 in health care costs per person and increase life expectancy by about three years.

While not everyone can be a social butterfly, the study suggests plenty of activities to choose from. Diving into a volunteer organization may feel daunting but visiting with family is just as effective.

Bonus question: Does just about any social activity contribute to staving off dementia in older adults? If you said yes: Bingo!

Would you rather work out or let a sauna do the work for you?

You might be wondering how sitting in hot, dry heat inside a wooden box can be good for your health. For some, it might seem uncomfortable or unappealing. But here’s the deal: Sauna bathing mimics exercise and has several health benefits.

High temperatures put the body through stress, which in turn elevates your heat shock proteins and can prevent some types of diseases. For example, a study shows using a sauna two to three times each week reduces the odds of sudden cardiac death by 30%.

Research spanning the past several decades has found that saunas provide pain relief, alleviate symptoms of depression, and improve heart health. You will also find you can experience improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduced joint and muscle stiffness — all because of your time in the sauna.

So how should you start? If you are new to it, try short sessions. Think around 10 to 15 minutes. Doctors suggest a sauna’s benefits plateau at 30 minutes, so consider keeping your time capped at a half-hour.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, your bathing temperature should hover between 155 and 170 degrees.

Of course, drinking alcohol before or during sauna time is a big no-no. If you do, increase your risk of dehydration, hypotension, arrhythmia, and even sudden death. And speaking of dehydration, drinking plenty of water afterward is important to replace lost fluids.

If you are pregnant, have heart disease or kidney disease, or are using medications for cardiovascular disease, speak with your primary care physician before using the sauna. It’s all about staying safe.