The Scope

Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication of pregnancy and impact 1 in 4 women. Whether it's Baby #1 or Baby #3, feeling overwhelmed is common and a normal adjustment to having a new baby. But when does the feeling of being overwhelmed become something not normal and more serious than the baby blues? Women's health expert Kirtly Jones, MD , talks with Jamie Hales, LCSW...

If you are experiencing pain or swelling on the outside of your knee, the problem may not be with the joint itself, but rather the iliotibial, or IT band, tendon. IT band syndrome is a common overuse injury seen in athletes and people with an active lifestyle. Sports medicine specialist Chris Gee, MD , explains the IT band, how to prevent injuring the tendon, and how to treat the knee pain it caus...

We rely on all of our senses to have an awareness of the world, and the loss or change of any of them can seriously impact our lives. Whether from COVID-19, an injury, or a neurological condition, could parosmia be dangerous? Kristine Smith, MD , a rhinologist at University of Utah Health, explains how losing your sense of smell can lead to potential physical harm—and impact your emotional health....

Deciding where to have a lung transplant procedure for lung disease is can have a big impact on the transplant outcome. Matthew Morrell, MD , medical director of the lung transplant program at University of Utah Health, discusses what to look for in a lung transplant center to improve the chance of a match, minimize the possibility of rejection, and maximize your life expectancy and quality.

Parosmia is a condition where a person’s sense of smell no longer works correctly. Caused by infections like COVID-19, head injuries, or other neurological conditions, this loss of smell can be an inconvenience for some— and a significant problem for the quality of life of others. Rhinologist Kristine Smith, MD, explains what parosmia is, what treatments are most effective, and lifestyle changes t...

Eating a diet with good nutrition can be challenging. Luckily, experts can help us to eat healthier. The Wellness Bus travels around Utah offering free health screenings and education to members of the community. Clinical dietitian Alex Marie Hernandez works on the bus, and she shares her tips on eating healthier, avoiding common nutrition misconceptions, and improving your health with free nutrit...

Monkeypox is a contagious viral infection that can lead to severe, scar-causing rashes. While the virus is not particularly life-threatening to most people, the painful symptoms can last for weeks. Virologists Sankar Swaminathan, MD , and Adam Spivak, MD , discuss how monkeypox spreads and what you can do to prevent an infection, along with dispelling some of the myths about the virus floating aro...

Many advertisements and online sources claim a certain vitamin or supplement is safe and will improve your life. The reality of these products is much more complicated than the marketing would have you believe. Nutritionist Thunder Jalili, PhD , shares his rules for assessing which supplements are actually effective and which are a waste of money—and how to make sure the supplement you're taking i...

If your teen has run away from home, the first priority is finding them and ensuring they’re safe. But what should you do after they safely return home? Amanda McNab, MSW, LCSW, suggests the steps parents should take to understand why your teenager ran away in the first place—and start to rebuild the relationship in a healthy way to prevent future runaways.

Mental health crises can be life-threatening, yet many people struggle to recognize when they need immediate help. Natalie McClintock, LCSW, from Huntsman Mental Health Institute discusses the warning signs of a crisis, when to seek hospitalization, and how loved ones can support someone in distress. If you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts o...

For new parents, it can be hard to keep your child’s vaccines straight. When do they get DTAP? What is MMR? Does my child really need all of these shots? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, has the answers about vaccines for kids—from birth to college. On this episode of The Basics, learn more about recommended vaccines, when they should be received, and how to ensure your kid grows up with the maximu...

Men are bombarded with supplement promises—from prostate support to better workouts—but very few products deliver anything beyond clever marketing. Thunder Jalili, PhD, a nutritionist and professor at University of Utah Health, breaks down which supplements are genuinely worth considering and which ones fall short.

As technologies and practices advance, more people than ever before are receiving joint replacements. These implants are also being done much earlier in life. How do you take care of a joint replacement so it lasts as long as possible? Orthopedic surgeon Michael J. Archibeck, MD walks through the steps of a successful joint replacement procedure so patients can keep the implant working and live a...

Newborns make a lot of strange movements and exhibit unexpected behaviors during the first year of life. They can startle at nothing, suck at the air, cross their eyes, breathe funny, and more. New parents may be a little worried about what is and isn’t normal. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains the most common reflexes seen in newborns and how to identify whether or not they're something wo...

In Spring 2022, the FDA approved tirzepatide to help control insulin for patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Yet news stories were more focused on a secondary effect of the drug, known by the brand name Mounjaro™️: significant weight loss with just a weekly injection. Juliana Simonetti, MD, co-director of the Comprehensive Weight Management Program at University of Utah Health, explains how this new dr...

If the ads are to be believed, as a woman, it seems like you need to swallow a pile of supplements daily to be your healthiest self. But if you are a non-pregnant, pretty healthy woman, do you really need all these vitamins and supplements? Maybe not. Women's specialist Kirtly Jones, MD , explores what the research says and whether or not you should be taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.

Maybe you've seen The Wellness Bus driving around Salt Lake Valley or in a parking lot in Ogden or Provo. But what services does this mobile clinic offer to the Utah community? Nancy Ortiz, program manager for mobile health, explains how you can utilize this multilingual, completely free, and anonymous service for convenient health screenings and professional wellness counseling.

After significant weight loss, many people are left with excess loose skin around their abdominal area. An abdominoplasty—or “tummy tuck” —is a surgical operation that removes this excess skin and tightens your abdominal wall muscles. Plastic surgeon Brad Rockwell, MD, discusses the different types of abdominoplasty available to patients and how to decide which one is right for you.

As a parent, you have seen commercials saying you need to give your kid chewable vitamins or special, expensive supplement drinks for them to grow and develop properly. Do children really need supplements? Probably not. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why even the pickiest eater is probably getting enough of their daily vitamins and minerals without the need for additional supplements.

More than 2 million Americans experience a brain injury each year. Some result in relatively short-term changes in day to day function, while others can lead to long-term challenges or disability. Zoe experienced a traumatic brain injury after a skiing accident. For the past year she’s be working hard to get her life back. The Scope has an in-depth discussion with Zoe to share her journey to recov...

Modern contraception allows men and women to have a child by choice, not by chance. But what family planning options are available? And how effective are they? Kirtly Parker Jones, MD, discusses the most common contraceptives available and how to choose the best one for you and your family.

New parents may be surprised at just how often their baby cries. It is their main form of communication after all. Hungry, bored, in need of a diaper change, they will cry for many reasons - and often. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , goes over the basics of crying for parents. From newborn to teenager, learn how to understand your child’s crying and how best to respond with advice from an expert.

Thumb arthritis can make everyday tasks—gripping, lifting, even opening a jar—feel impossible. But there are many effective options that exist before surgery is even on the table. Hand surgeon Brittany Garcia, MD , breaks down why thumb pain happens, the nonsurgical approaches that actually reduce inflammation and improve function, and when surgery becomes the smarter, long-term fix. Learn about t...

Many parents in the United States are scrambling to find baby formula. What are you supposed to do with a hungry baby at home and empty shelves at the store? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares how you can feed your baby and support other parents in this difficult time.

Sensory disorders in children have recently been added as an official psychiatric diagnosis and are estimated to impact as many as 15% of kids in the US. These conditions are marked by a significant sensitivity to sounds, textures, tastes, or brightness and can be quite disruptive to their behavior and development. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why these conditions are on the rise, and...