Health in a Heartbeat is a daily radio series that features two-minute segments providing consumer-health information and the latest news on medical research, patient-care breakthroughs and health-care industry trends.
Gainesville, Florida

If you know you're heading into a stressful situation, keep a water bottle handy. Your level of hydration might influence just how tense you'll get. Remember, up to 78% of...

To those who have always wanted a cat but found themselves barred by sneezing, watery eyes or other sundry allergy symptoms: take heart. A solution is on the horizon. New...

Do you toss and turn night after night? While some of us can't help it, insomnia can wear away at you and your brain's health. A new study suggests chronic...

Do you get nervous when you go to the dentist? From the bright lamp spotlighting you to the fear of cavities, it's not unusual to have a little apprehension. One...

Your child's favorite plastic toy might be more than just a plaything — it could be a hidden health risk. Now a new study from researchers in New York reveals...

From the waterfall screensaver to the dripping office sink, plenty of things can affect your bladder — and make you realize you need to go. But have you ever felt...

Whether it's a cross-country trek to a national park or a regional trip across a single state, a road trip is an American tradition. Less tradition than torture is something...

Learning you have cancer can be shocking. Sensory overload follows. Fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, helplessness and guilt can all be in the mix. Making that initial onslaught worse, a...

There is nothing better than catching up with a group of old friends. You know — those moments when everyone can escape from taking the kids to practice, forget about...

Mangoes are a sweet snack lauded by fruit lovers everywhere. But for those who might be missing out on the tropical treat to avoid spiking their blood sugar levels, there's...

Saturated fat, present in delectable dishes like cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes, boasts an ever-increasing nutritional rap sheet. Notably, it can negatively impact your cholesterol and increase your risk for heart...

Perhaps it's time for yoga to undergo a little bit of a cooldown — especially the sweltering hot variety. If your goal is to improve your cardiovascular health, there are...

Here's a nutritional treat you don't have to go to the supermarket to buy. Just stroll through your yard. It's got six legs, hops and it's more challenging to catch...

Forget what you think you know about gout. Gout is a common form of arthritis that can cause sudden bouts of pain, strong enough to wake someone from a deep...

They were the inaugural American generation to start their morning with brightly colored breakfast cereal, or traipse to school with a Pop-Tart in hand. Generation X and ultraprocessed food grew...

The flu can easily knock you off your feet and into your bed for a week. In the early stages, when you oh-so-badly want to believe the congested, feverish specter...

Exercise. We all know it's important. We all know it offers benefits for both physical and mental health. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American...

It's a routine we're all familiar with: Spring forward, fall back. Daylight saving time. Most people enjoy it a little more in the fall when they gain an extra hour....

As the days shorten and our yearning for caffeine increases, you might find yourself hoping some study or other will give you a hearty congratulations on your ability to cut...

What would you do if you could make yourself taller? Height has its perks. You might become a more formidable defender in your weekly pickup game. Or look a smidge...

What if your kid's Halloween candy was healthier and better for the environment? Swiss researchers may have made that fantasy more viable with their creation of “whole-fruit chocolate.” We all...

We all know sleep is important. But for bodybuilders and teens alike, it's something akin to a secret weapon for growth — literally. Deep, restful sleep triggers a surge of...

Humans have had their hands in the proverbial honey jar for millennia. There's just something about the sticky sweetness, wonderful golden color and rich flavor that keeps us coming back...

In recent years, science has inked a dotted line from the smoggy phenomenon of air pollution to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Now, new findings suggest the less-than-savory air...

About one in three Americans experiences excessive daytime sleepiness — that feeling of overwhelming drowsiness even after a full night's sleep. And while nodding off at your desk might feel...

High-concentration cannabis products, while often legal, may be riskier than they appear. A sweeping look at nearly 100 previous studies shows strong links between psychosis, schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder...

You've heard the saying “kill them with kindness.” Sadly, a modern version of that old saw might be “kill them with rudeness.” New research finds that workplace sass not only...

Even cockroaches need a good night's sleep to stay healthy, especially during pregnancy. We're talking specifically about Diploptera punctata [dih-PLOP-teh-ruh punk-ta-ta], an odd little species of roach that is similar...

Ultra-processed foods are everywhere. For most people, they're virtually impossible to completely avoid. Whether it's a quick snack on the go or a convenient restaurant meal, ultra-processed foods are likely...

Do you love your pet? No need to answer … of course you do. You cherish your pup's greeting when returning from work. You appreciate the moments your cat shows...

Is your newborn getting all the nutrients needed to grow? If you rely on baby food, the answer might surprise you. According to research by the George Institute for Global...

Microplastics are a veritable plague on humanity, filling the air and the water with pieces so small they're impossible to see and avoid. And that could have implications for the...

There might be a way to relieve pain without money and medication, and it might just blow your mind. A new study suggests mindfulness meditation is more effective at relieving...

It starts with bloating and gassiness. Then, it causes constipation and abdominal cramping. Eventually, you guessed it — you're dashing to the nearest toilet. According to the American College of...

Smartphones are a staple in most people's daily lives, whether they are catching up on the news, scrolling social media or … going to the bathroom. Don't be embarrassed —...

You've likely heard about the benefits of walking and getting your 10,000 steps a day. And you might believe this level of time commitment isn't always possible. Between work, taking...

French fries are a staple of the American diet, for better or worse. Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, is often credited with helping popularize them in America after enjoying...

Tobacco companies introduced cigarette filters in the 1950s because of growing public concerns about smoking's risks. Consumers were told the filters removed toxins and harmful gases, among numerous bogus health...

You're overdue for a grocery store visit, and eyeing the carton of milk whose expiration date was two days ago. The dry cereal in front of you looks tempting. It...

Having COVID-19 might leave women with a lot more than brain fog, a sense of fatigue or a lost sense of smell. A new study from a team of researchers...

Do you roll out of bed eager to kick off your day with a nice breakfast? Or do you tend to wait until later in the morning and grab something...

Most of us at the doctor's office do as asked, helpfully extending an arm as a health care worker wraps it in a blood pressure cuff, uncrossing our legs as...

Americans are on a perpetual quest to find a cure for insomnia that doesn't involve a pharmaceutical solution. Now, researchers are pointing to an unlikely sleep aid: yoga. The mind-body...

Imagine you and a friend are in a restaurant. Your meal arrives quickly, but hers is held up … somewhere. She insists you dig in while it's hot, but you...

When it comes to walking, the popular wisdom has cemented 10,000 steps per day as the ideal number for staying healthy. Now, a new study suggests it might be perfectly...

If you could add years to your life, would you consider moving to another state? Some of us, of course, would move to Pluto if it increased longevity. But good...

Aside from the debt, getting a new car is loads of fun. Learning all its features. Feeling fancy when you drive it. And of course, delighting in that new-car aroma....

When venomous snakes spread across Australia millions of years ago, they posed an existential threat to native lizards. Now, new research from the University of Queensland reveals that skinks weren't...

Grandpa isn't the only one who can benefit from eating prunes. A new study found that eating prunes improved bone health and lowered the risk of bone disease in postmenopausal...

Let's say you're 4 years old. You can't yet read, but your little eye spies something on the kitchen counter that looks like an unexpected treat. It's in a round...

How do you feel on Sunday evenings? Is there a knot in your gut? Do you keep an anxious eye on the time and wish it would stop reminding you...