The Scope

Like any sport, dance takes serious strength, stamina, and flexibility. As a dancer, it is important to keep safe from a potentially career-ending injury. Trina Bellendir , a physical therapist at the Dance Clinic at University of Utah Orthopedic Center, talks about three of the most common injuries that can occur in dancers and how best to prevent them.

Low-dose methods of contraception, such as birth control pills, IUDs, and implant, have been found to increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about these new findings from a Denmark study, the benefits and risks of hormonal birth control, and what it could mean for you.

As a new parent, the things your baby does can lead to all sorts of new worries. Even their breathing can lead to a slew of concerns. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what's normal—or not—in your newborn’s breathing and what signs are alarming.

A pap smear screening is one of most effective ways of preventing cervical cancer. But the screening can be frustrating to do regularly—and downright uncomfortable to have performed. Women's expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains the new at-home options for women’s preventative care, how they work and whether or not you are a good candidate to skip the stirrups and test at home.

When pursuing a career in medicine, there’s a lot of options to consider when deciding your specialty. Could family medicine be for you? Family practitioner, Dr. Kirsten Stoesser discusses her experience. Find out why she chose to pursue family medicine, the pros and cons of the field, and whether or not family medicine might be right for you.

Cold sores are common in adults, but they can surprise parents when they appear in children. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, these painful blisters often return during illness, stress, or fatigue. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains how to recognize a true cold sore, what home treatments may help shorten an outbreak, and when children are most contagious. Learn when to ask your doctor ab...

Anyone who has had back pain—and that’s nearly all of us—knows how debilitating it can be. Even more frustrating is that for many, that pain comes back, again and again, no matter what they try. Julie Fritz, Ph. D. , associate dean for research in the College of Health talks about what makes back pain, and back pain treatment, different. She explains why the way to make progress is to match the ri...

Rhinoplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure, it can be performed to improve your breathing as well. It is a low risk operation, but with any procedure on your face, you may have questions and concerns. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eric Cerrati discusses what you can expect before, during and after the procedure.

Fevers are one of the most common reasons parents bring their kids to the doctor. It’s easy as a parent to give in to "fever-phobia" and assume that something is terribly wrong. But what is the actual reason behind your child’s fever and should you be concerned? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what really causes fevers in children.

Lyme disease is contracted by ticks that carry the Borrelia bacteria, and it can be a tricky disease to diagnose. Dr. John Kriesel , a physician and researcher in the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Utah Health, explains how physicians test patients who suspect they might have caught Lyme disease. Learn what some of the symptoms of Lyme disease are and how the disease can be treat...

Some medical labels come with clarity. Others come with confusion, frustration, and a lot of unanswered questions. Kirtly Jones, MD , explains why the term "syndrome" can feel unsettling for both clinicians and patients, why ruling out true disease matters, and why careful, humble labeling is essential while medicine continues to evolve. Learn how a holistic, patient-centered approach can help whe...

Facelifts are a surgical option for people who may want to tighten skin around the jawline or other parts of the face, usually to look younger. There are many types of facelift surgeries, but facelifts are not necessarily for everyone. Plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Cerrati talks about some of the things to consider before having the procedure and how to know if you are a right candidate for a facelift.

When your child isn’t feeling well, it’s easy as a parent to think of the worst-case scenario. Could that stomach ache be appendicitis? Could a neck ache be meningitis? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner calms your parental fears and explains common reasons why your child might not be feeling well and the rare symptoms you should be worried about.

There are two kinds of mammograms available to women. While both mammograms are used to prevent breast cancer, they are different depending on whether or not a woman has any symptoms. Radiologist Dr. Anna McGow explains the differences between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram. Learn which mammogram is right for you.

University of Utah Health provides a Dance Clinic in its Orthopedic Center that serves all dancers—from the young to the old, and from experienced to those who are just beginning. Dancing can be a physically intensive activity and injuries are common. Physical therapist Trina Bellendir talks about how the Dance Clinic helps dancers treat injuries and how to prevent dance-related injuries in the fi...

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can lead to potentially life-threatening heart attacks and strokes. A clinical trial called SPRINT has changed the way doctors look at blood pressure for long-term patient health. The Scope Radio's Julie Kiefer speaks with Dr. Brandon Bellow and Dr. Natalia Ruiz-Negrón about their new research, published in the New England...

Feeling anxious occasionally is part of being human, but when worry becomes constant, overwhelming, and difficult to control, it may signal an anxiety disorder. Women are diagnosed with anxiety disorders about twice as often as men, influenced by hormonal changes, stress responses, life experiences, and social pressures. Women's health expert Kirtly Jones, MD , talks about effective treatment opti...

Overuse of antibiotics can make a person more vulnerable to sickness, even a child. Recent studies reveal many prescriptions for antibiotics were likely unnecessary because antibiotics don't work on viral infections. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains several important things parents should know about antibiotics and gives tips to keep in mind when caring for a sick child who may just have a...

Is a cosmetic rhinoplasty right for you? Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eric Cerrati discusses the procedure. Learn the common reasons patients seek out the operations, typical methods your doctor may use, and the expected outcomes.

As parents, you may want to bubble wrap your kids to protect them from getting sick from their surrounding environment. But are those fears and concerns validated? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about what you should and shouldn't worry about when keeping your kid healthy.

No woman wants an 'unnatural childbirth.' But what is defined as a 'natural' or 'normal' birth? Women's expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks with a certified nurse midwife Celeste Thomas about physiological childbirth, the way the body naturally delivers. Learn about hormones, contractions and how your healthcare providers can help foster a natural childbirth.

There’s a real problem within the medical science community regarding reliability. Today, more and more science articles are being published, but many lack the reliability we can rely on. The Scope Radio’s Julie Kiefer talks with Melissa Rethlefsen and Melanie Lackey from University of Utah Eccles Health Science Library to discuss the problem of unreliability in modern science and the collaborativ...

Dandruff—those small white flakes of dead skin that can gather on a child's shoulders—is normal and can be treated with the right hair care. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the causes and prevention of dandruff in children.

When your child is sick, you want any medicine you can have to help them feel better and fast. But does your child really need antibiotics for what they have? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the myths and facts about when antibiotics can help your child and when they can do more harm than good.

"But I need a phone!" is a commonly heard plea from school-aged children. When is your child ready for their own cell phone? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the Wait Until 8th campaign and offers some important mental and physical factors that parents should consider before giving their kid a phone.