The Scope

Heavy exertion in the heat can lead to heat stroke. Some of the symptoms can include nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Emergency physician Dr. Scott Youngquist explains what actions you should take and how emergency physicians might treat a person with heat stroke.

If you live in Salt Lake City, you know it’s not a good idea to exercise outside during a muggy inversion. But did you know you should be concerned even on a clear summer day? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how even though ozone isn’t visible, it can cause serious breathing issues. Learn the steps you can take to protect yourself this summer.

A soft-tissue sarcoma is a group of cancers that take root in the connective tissues in the body. Sarcoma is more common in children than adults, and its treatments can lead to serious life changes. Dr. Lor Randall from Huntsman Cancer Institute explains what exactly a sarcoma is, how doctors test for it, and the effective treatments available.

Heavy backpacks can do more harm than you might think—leading to muscle strain, posture issues, and even spinal stress in growing kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to properly size and fit a backpack, how much is too much to carry, and when to see a doctor for back pain.

Women have been controlling their fertility for thousands of years, but none were tried and true until "the pill" came along in the 1960s. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with OBGYN physician Dr. Jennifer Kaiser about the most common, ongoing methods for controlling fertility, including Plan B, Ella, and the Copper IUD.

Simple steps with nutrition, smoking, and diet before your elective surgery can have a big impact on how well you recover. Dr. Thomas Varghese explains what steps can take just a few weeks before your surgery to optimize your chances of a positive outcome.

Older women are particularly vulnerable to fragility fractures as their bones thin with age. Women's health expert Kirtly Jones, MD , talks about the factors affecting women’s bone health and the risks associated with fragility fractures. She emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and healthy dietary habits in maintaining bone strength, and shares practical strategies and lifestyle changes...

Kids can be rambunctious, and that can lead to occasional bumps and falls. While an injury to the outer ear is usually minor, it could lead to cauliflower ear. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the warning signs to look for to make sure your child’s ear injury doesn’t lead to permanent damage.

The Aortic Disease Program at University of Utah Cardiovascular Center is a specialized clinic that specifically treats diseases of the aorta. Dr. Jason Glotzbach and Dr. Claire Griffin , specialists from the center, talk about why such a specialized clinic is important and the advantages it can give to patients with aortic disease.

One in 25 baby boomers test positive for hepatitis C. It's the most common chronic blood-borne pathogen and the most common cause of chronic liver disease or liver cancer. Once you've contracted it, it doesn't go away. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains why baby boomers are more likely to have hepatitis C than other age groups and why you should get a screening if you're a boomer.

Large, swollen bug bites don't necessarily mean your child is allergic. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why kids' bodies react the way they do when bitten by insects and what parents can do to treat bites when they happen.

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine prevents seven different types of cancers, pre-cancers, and genital warts. But some parents don't ask for it. Deanna Kepka, MPH, PhD, from Huntsman Cancer Institute says some parents fear that getting the vaccine will make their child sexually active. Yet Kepka says plenty of research disproves this fear. She discusses why the HPV vaccine is an important, pro...

Building a road map of all the nerve connections in the brain, including in the eye, is key to understanding what makes us who we are. Bryan Jones , Ph. D., an investigator at the Moran Eye Center, talks about his research building a connectome of the retina. He explains how he and his colleagues are approaching the massive project and how such work will inform an understanding of the way that the...

We’ve all heard nightmare stories of falling into poison ivy and the terrible, itchy rashes that ensued. The poisonous plant can seem downright terrifying. But how bad is poison ivy really? Emergency room physician Dr. Scott Youngquist describes what you can expect after touching poison ivy and some simple ways you can reduce the symptoms.

It’s a topic many U.S. citizens don’t think about—treating the psychological needs of refugees. The trauma that so many refugees suffer does not go away when they reach their new country. In fact, refugees are faced with many new traumas as they adjust to a new culture. Dr. Omar Reda, a refugee himself, is a psychiatrist specializing in treating refugee trauma. Dr. Reda shares his personal journey...

Sometimes contraception fails. For women who find themselves in a contraceptive emergency, emergency contraception might be a more reliable option than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Many of these options are available over the counter, but you can also order them online. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains what options are available and how you can get these med...

Fidget spinners are a cheap and trendy new kids’ toy that claims to help with ADHD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. But pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says there's no hard evidence these toys help kids to focus. Instead, Dr. Gellner says fidget spinners can actually be a distraction. Find out why, and get some ideas for effective alternatives if your child has behavioral challenges.

Nail fungus is common, stubborn, and often misunderstood. Many treatments promise results, but few deliver. Dermatologist Christopher Hull, MD , breaks down how to confirm the diagnosis, what actually works, and why some options fall short. From prescription medications to home remedies, learn how to weigh effectiveness, cost, and risks, so you can decide whether treatment is worth it and choose t...

Colorectal cancer is thought to be something you’d worry about as you got older, but younger patients are developing the condition. Dr. Andrew Gawron , a gastroenterologist at University of Utah Health, explains what this means for younger adults.

Fainting can be a scary event for everyone involved. According to emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen , 99% of the time, there are no serious health concerns. But if you're around when someone hits the floor, how should you respond? Learn the facts about fainting and what you can do when it happens.

Some women entering sexual maturity may find themselves attracted to both men and women. The internal question becomes "Am I normal?" On this episode of The Scope , Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discusses sexual attraction and resources available to find a safe space.

Randy Carson , a physical therapist at University of Utah Health, discusses some of the best and worst things you can do for your body. What does everyone need to know about physical therapy? And how many massages should you expect during therapy?

Mouth guards protect kids' teeth and jaws even when they're not playing contact sports. Studies suggest a mouth guard can prevent more than half of the common dental injuries adolescents can suffer. According to pediatric dental specialist Dr. Hans Reinemer , custom-made mouth guards are a good investment toward your child's dental health. They can be comfortable—and even look cool.

When your child gets diarrhea, it’s a bad time for everyone. But what really causes it? And how do you get it to stop? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses some of the most common myths about diarrhea and what you can do to help prevent it in your child.

Around 2 million people in the United States are addicted to prescription painkillers, with 52,000 accidental opioid overdose deaths in 2015. According to Mark Ilgen, associate professor of psychiatry at University of Michigan, the problem isn’t the medication itself, but how doctors treat pain. Different approaches to chronic pain management may be the answer to helping reduce opioid addiction.