The Scope

If your newborn isn’t taking to your breast milk, could she be allergic? According to Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones , the chances are very low. Dr. Jones goes through the few situations in which a baby is seemingly “allergic” to Mom’s breast milk and offers ways you can help her overcome them.

Mice destined to get cancer live longer when they have plenty of social interactions, mental activity, and exercise. Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator Dr. Melinda Angus-Hill led a research study that revealed this surprising finding. She explains how an enriched lifestyle impacts cancer, what changes biologically, and the potential implications for people with cancer.

Playgrounds are great for kids and parents. They let your children get rid of some of their seemingly endless energy and give them a chance to socialize with others. But sometimes kids don’t quite get along. As a parent, what should you do when your child encounters difficult children who may not let her play or who tease her? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner from University of Utah Health shares a...

People may often see little moving proteins—called floaters—in their eyes. Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Zaugg explains what floaters are, why they occur, and why they generally occur more in older people. He'll also tells you some tips for managing floaters.

Helmets are a vital piece of safety equipment for many activities and may save your life. But we may be depending on helmets a little too much. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares some of his first-hand experiences with helmet safety from the ER. He reminds listeners to still play it smart when it comes to safety, even if you're wearing a helmet.

Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks to Dr. Gwen McMillin , medical director of toxicology at ARUP Laboratories, about managing drug abuse in mothers and newborns. Find out how drugs can be tested and detected, and learn the harmful effects that some popular drugs—such as opioids and marijuana—can have on young babies. Also, learn what alternatives a pregnant woman may utilize to lessen the harmful effe...

Thirty percent of women ages 40-50 have an overactive bladder : more bathroom breaks during the day, urgent trips waking you up at night. According to women's health specialist Kirtly Jones, MD , there are a few reasons for an overactive bladder, but this is normal. Find out what could be causing your frequent trips to the bathroom and how to reduce your need to go.

Orthopedic surgeon Chris Peters, MD , talks about why he chose to specialize in joint replacement. Find out why marathon runners are more prone to arthritis and if nutritional supplements provide any real benefit to your joints.

A common question people may ask is whether a bone fracture will heal itself or if it needs to be treated by a doctor. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Justin Haller says it depends on the severity. Some broken bones require an operation, whereas others simply need a cast. Find out ways to identify a possible fracture and whether or not you should seek treatment.

Recent studies show the majority of published research cannot successfully be replicated. This could potentially question the validity of tens of thousands of scientific studies. Hilda Bastian , chief editor of PubMed Commons, talks about what this means to the scientific field and how it could impact the general public.

Long hours, a challenging environment and various health care system-induced pressures can cause burnout among physicians. Dr. Tony Tsai, director of education strategy at the University of Utah School of Medicine, says doctors can overcome burnout in a number of ways, such as creating meaning for themselves. Learn some other strategies that physicians can focus on to avoid burnout and stay resili...

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication when an infection spreads to the bloodstream. It’s not too common for most people, but at-risk patients might not even realize the infection has spread. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains the complication of sepsis, how to tell if you might be at risk and how to identify signs that you should get to the hospital immediately.

An estimated 1 in 10 unborn babies is exposed to harmful drugs of abuse or prescription drugs. Dr. Gwen McMillin , professor of pathology and medical director of toxicology at ARUP Laboratories, says, "It's a growing problem in parallel to the national opioid epidemic." Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with Dr. McMillin about the use of umbilical cords to test newborns for their risk to drug exposur...

You had a headache and a stuffy nose, but your loved one has a fever and an upset stomach. Is it from the same bug? Tom Miller, MD , has the answers about individual symptoms and answers whether or not you were really the one who got your loved one sick.

Abuse of opioid painkillers is a nationwide epidemic. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says while ERs do use opioids, practices for prescribing and monitoring their use by patients have gotten stricter. Dr. Madsen talks about some suggestions for recognizing and avoiding an opioid addiction and some available alternatives to pain treatment.

New parents may worry that their newborn will have stomach problems if she doesn't burp after feeding. But pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says not to worry: the air in your baby will find a way out. She explains symptoms associated with colic and spitting up symptoms and why new parents shouldn't worry.

Do you have the urge to move your legs, typically in the evening before bed? Dr. Chris Jones, a neurologist and expert on sleep and movement disorders, says the cause of restless legs syndrome remains a mystery. It is difficult to treat the neurological condition and can easily be made worse if not treated well. Dr. Jones talks about this unusual condition, why it occurs, and how it can be treated...

Your recent ear piercing is red and swollen and you suspect it might be infected—should you go to the emergency room? On this ER or Not , emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the potential serious complications that can come from an infection of the ear, including hearing loss and hospitalization. Learn what you need to look for and when to seek immediate care.

As we age, our bones become weaker, meaning we’re more likely to suffer breaks, sprains and fractures. For some people, a vertebral fracture in the spine, also known as a fragility fracture, can be caused by something as simple as sitting up in bed with particularly weak bones. Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Nick Spina , orthopedic surgeon at University of Utah Health, explains the complications that...

Are you needing a knee or hip replacement? What sort of doctor should you look for? Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Chris Pelt says patients should Lind a surgeon with whom they are comfortable and can communicate well. Learn some other important factors to consider when choosing the surgeon who will operate on you.

University of Utah Hospital Clinic 1-A provides care for 90% of Utahns with HIV/AIDS and is the only Ryan White -sponsored clinic in the state. Dr. Claudia Goulston and Dr. Harry Rosado-Santos , physicians from the clinic, talk about the services it provides for the Utah community and the 1,700 patients it serves. From federally assisted treatment to testing and prevention, they discuss the compre...

For most people, a diagnosis of advanced heart failure signals an inevitable decline with no chance for recovery. However, a few years ago, doctors found a small yet signiLicant proportion of these patients can bounce back if their heart is given a chance to rest with help from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Scientist Sarah Franklin is investigating the responses of different sets of pat...

The White House has proposed a major budget cut in government agencies that fund scientific research, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bryan Jones , Ph. D., a scientist at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah, says the mere idea keeps him up at night. “I’m terrified,” he says. “The prospect of a 20 percent cut to the budget would be devastating to science and careers.”...

A three-foot shelled “worm” that looks like a unicorn’s horn? It just goes to show that the great blue planet we live on still holds some surprises. Naturalist Margo Haygood from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah tells the tale of how she and her colleagues came upon the odd beast and what it has taught them about the diversity of life on Earth. Learn more here .

Summer is here, and for many that means getting back on the bicycle and enjoying the outdoors. For ER doctors, it means seeing more patients injuring themselves on those bicycles. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the most common bike injuries he sees during this time of year and share tips on how to keep out of the ER.