The Scope

Are your daughter's periods causing her pain? It's essential for parents to understand what's normal and what's not when it comes to menstrual pain in young girls. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , breaks down the common causes of painful periods, discusses what symptoms to look for that may indicate a more serious issue, and provides tips on how parents can help their daughters manage the pain.

How can parents distinguish between typical teenage behavior and signs of more serious mental health issues? Jessica Holzbauer, LCSW , shares her insights on recognizing normal developmental changes, identifying warning signs of mental health concerns, and how parents can support and seek help for their teens during these challenging years. Empower yourself with knowledge and guidance to navigate...

What value does an academic medical center like University of Utah Health bring to the community? That's the question explored by Michael Good, MD , from University of Utah Health and David J. Skorton, MD , from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) . Dr. Skorton talks about the importance of academic medical centers in delivering top-quality medical care, conducting cutting-edge res...

As a busy parent, it's easy to let your child's routine doctor appointments slip through the cracks. But skipping or missing those check-ups can have consequences for your child's health—and prevent other kids from receiving care. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains the importance of keeping those appointments and why canceling and rescheduling is always a better option than simply not showi...

If you're apprehensive about getting an intravitreal injection for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you're not alone. Ophthalmologist Monika Fleckenstein, MD , explains the procedure, how it can improve your vision, and why it's a safe and common option that can save your sight. Overcome your fears and feel confident about your AMD treatment.

There are around 6,000 pediatric ER visits for button battery ingestion every year in the United States. If you even suspect your child may have swallowed a button battery, take them to the emergency room immediately for surgery. Ingesting a battery can cause severe and potentially permanent damage to a child’s esophagus or digestive tract in as little as two hours. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD...

Hydrogen peroxide might be the first thing you grab when treating a wound in order to help disinfect it. While the sometimes-painful bubbling is definitely sanitizing the area, it’s also destroying healthy tissue. ER physician and wound specialist Troy Madsen, MD , explains why hydrogen peroxide is such a bad idea for first aid and the best way to clean and treat a wound to keep it from getting in...

Wounds can typically take anywhere from two weeks to two months to heal, depending on the type and severity of the injury. If your wound is taking significantly longer to heal than expected, it may be time to see a medical professional. University of Utah Health emergency physician Troy Madsen, MD , also cares for patients at a chronic wound center. He explains what can cause a chronic wound to no...

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes muscles to contract involuntarily, often leading to repetitive or twisting movements in different parts of the body. While the condition is not typically painful, the involuntary movements can really impact a person's daily life, but there are treatment options available. University of Utah Health neurologist and movement disorder specialist Panagiotis K...

One in five women in the U.S. will have a stroke in their lifetime, according to the American Stroke Association. That means 55,000 more women than men will suffer a stroke each year. Stroke specialist Jana Wold, MD , explains why women are more likely to experience a stroke and the steps you can take to minimize your risk.

To get the most health benefit, adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, three to five days a week. But a new study shows evidence that as little as two to three minutes of activity a day can lead to real health improvements for people currently doing little to no activity. Troy Madsen, MD , explains the research and what it could mean for patients.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world, with as many as 1 in 26 people developing it during their lifetime. Despite its frequency, many patients may not know much about the condition until they or a loved one receive a diagnosis. Amir Arain, MD, MPH , is a professor and chief of the Division of Epilepsy at University of Utah Health. He explains the most common sympto...

If you or someone you know is affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you understand how much it can impact the quality of day-to-day life. While the condition is mostly connected to aging, there are ways to prevent, treat, and slow the condition. Ophthalmologist Monika Fleckenstein, MD , is a specialist in degenerative retinal diseases with the Moran Eye Center. She explains the basic...

Bell's palsy can be a sudden and surprising condition, rapidly causing facial weakness and muscle twitching. But understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is key to diagnosing and managing this condition. Sarah Akkina, MD , director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Utah, shares what you need...

Bell's palsy is a rare disorder that impacts the functioning of the nerve that controls the movement of the face. For a majority of patients, facial paralysis and other side effects will improve within a few weeks to a couple of months. But for a small number of patients, it can last even longer, requiring a surgical procedure to help their quality of life. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeo...

Just like mothers, fathers can also experience depression before or after the birth of their children. This type of depression is called postpartum depression, or perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. If a man is experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression that persist or interfere with his daily life, he should seek treatment from a mental health professional. Jamie Hales, LCSW, an expert at Hu...

You or someone you love suffers from depression or bipolar disorder, and standard treatments have not worked. While it might feel hopeless, there is still hope for getting your life back. Psychiatrist Brian Mickey, MD , is an expert at Huntsman Mental Health Institute's Treatment Resistant Mood Disorders Clinic . He talks about the next level of treatments a specialist can offer when depression or...

Is your young daughter complaining about painful urination when using the bathroom? It could be more than a urinary tract infection. Girl parts can be very sensitive, especially between the ages of potty training and puberty. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains the most common causes of pain or irritation in the vagina or vulva, how to prevent them, and what treatments can provide relief to...

You suffered a brain injury from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head earlier in your life. Years later, you experience one or many symptoms: foggy thinking, memory loss, trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression, or personality changes. Are those symptoms related to your brain injury earlier in your life? Derrick Allred, MD , director of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency program at Cr...

A majority of children will not develop 20/20 vision until they are four to six years old. During those first few years, what should parents do to make sure their kids maintain healthy vision? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains vision screening expectations during the first years of your child’s life, how to navigate school vision screening requirements, and when your child may need to see...

The rate of eating disorders among children under 12 has increased by 119% since 2020. Anorexia is the third most common chronic disorder among kids, behind asthma and obesity. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains what could be causing this increase and how to identify the most common red flags of potential eating disorders. She also talks about what steps can be taken to help your child get t...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are chronic and disabling conditions that can adversely impact your ability to function. When standard treatments fail, many suffering from OCD and MDD explore surgical treatment options. Neurosurgeon Ben Shofty, MD , discusses how advancements can potentially change the lives of people who suffer from these treatment-resistan...

No one likes to be poked with a needle, whether for a vaccine or a blood draw. But for children, getting a shot at the doctor's office can be frightening and lead to some emotional outbursts. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains what she does in her practice to ensure kids are not overly afraid of needles, and shares some tips for parents to get their child the medical treatment they need whi...

In adults and young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can look a lot like the common cold. But for little ones under two years old—especially preemie babies —RSV can be severe due to their still-developing respiratory systems. Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about the increase in RSV during the 2022 respiratory season, what parents need to know to keep their child safe, and what to expect if t...

When the news reports about a new COVID-19 variant, what does that mean for you? Many people have questions such as what are the latest variant's symptoms, is it going to be more contagious or severe than previous variants, and will home tests detect it? Stephen Goldstein, Ph. D. in Coronavirus research, explains what information is important and what isn't when a new variant is announced and how...