The Scope

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.

Shoulders can be injured in many ways, including trauma, a torn tendon, or simply overuse. Fortunately, an injured shoulder does not always require surgery. Tom Miller, MD , speaks with orthopedic surgeon Robert Tashjian, MD , about how injured shoulders can commonly be diagnosed and treated without surgery.

An aquatic snail from the Caribbean Sea could hold the secret to a new type of pain killer in its venom. Dr. Michael McIntosh , a scientist at University of Utah Health, is working to isolate pain-killing compounds that could serve as a non-addictive replacement for opioids. In this episode, Dr. McIntosh talks about what his early research has found, how these venoms work and the major changes it...

It’s been documented that coffee—in moderation—can be good for your health, but what about a patient just coming out of surgery? Recent studies show that a cup of coffee right after an operation may lead to faster recovery times and happier patients. Dr. Kirtly Jones from University of Utah Health discusses what the research shows and why you might want to ask for an espresso after your next proce...

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a serious lung condition that can arise after an individual suffers a pulmonary embolism. The condition can lead to a buildup of tissue in the lungs that often leads to high blood pressure, heart strain and eventual heart failure. Luckily for patients, there is a surgery available that can treat CTEPH without a full lung transplant. Heart su...

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed stimulant medications to help manage the condition. But parents may worry about how these medications might change or impact their kid's health. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , says stimulant medications for ADHD actually claim the highest positive response rate for any mental health diagnosis. Learn what...

Many new parents wonder if their little one will ever let them get a full night of sleep again. For newborns, the pattern is typically: eat, sleep, poop and repeat—all through the night. Family physician Dr. Sonja Van Hala offers sleepy parents some advice for sleep-training babies to snooze through the night.

Believe it or not, sometimes people can break bones and not realize it. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says some bones are more prone to fractures. Swelling, trouble moving a joint, or lingering pain after a few days can all be indications of a bone fracture. Learn about some other symptoms of broken bones if you suspect you may need an X-ray to find out for sure.

Broke a bone and need a cast? Well, forget those big, heavy casts that your friends could write on. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Bruce Thomas , an orthopedic surgeon, to discuss how physicians now use lighter, fiberglass casts to help bones heal instead of the heavier Plaster of Paris casts from earlier times.

Men in their 50s and 60s may begin taking more trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It’s annoying and messes with your sleep schedule, but is it something concerning regarding your health? Urologist Gary Faerber explains why most men need to use the restroom more often as they age and what treatments are available to get back to sleeping through the night.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a relatively new treatment for at-risk patients that can reduce the chances of an individual contracting HIV by more than 90 percent. However, it should not be seen as a vaccine. Dr. Claudia Goulston , associate professor of infectious diseases and a specialist in HIV, explains what exactly PrEP is, who it is good for and some important things you need to know ab...

You got over a cold but still have a nagging cough. Is it something to worry about? Dr. Tom Miller answers this listener question and explains why viral infections can sometimes lead to long-lasting coughs. Find out what you can—or can't do—about it, and whether it's something to be concerned about.

Spring is here and it’s time to start that spring cleaning. But if you come across mouse droppings you could be exposed to hantavirus. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discuss the virus and simple cleaning steps you can take if you find mouse droppings.

In January 2017, a new practice bulletin released by top OBGYN and pediatric authorities suggests new guidelines concerning cutting your baby’s umbilical cord after delivery. What does this mean for your baby and how long should your doctor wait before cutting the cord? Dr. Kirtly Jones , OB-GYN with University of Utah Health, discuss what the research says.

Making sure your newborn gets enough nourishment in her first days and weeks can be a concern for breastfeeding mothers. If young babies aren't gaining enough weight or if mothers aren't producing enough milk, sometimes supplementing with formula is helpful. Dr. Kirsten Stoesser offers some clever tips to help new mothers supplement their breastfeeding with formula so their newborns get a healthy...