The Scope

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...

For patients in need of an organ transplant, the first step is to meet with a team of doctors and specialists. One of the members of the team is a social worker who conducts an interview. This may be surprising to some patients. Organ transplant surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Campsen sits down with Melissa Morales, an organ transplant social worker. They discuss what to expect in the interview and the role i...

Splinters can be painful and irritating, despite how small they can be. There are plenty of strategies to remove that bothersome embedded chunk under your skin but which one is the safest? Should you use a safety pin, tweezers or a pocket knife? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen describes the best way to remove a splinter at home and how to tell if a splinter is serious enough for emergency...

After suffering from a muscular injury such as carpal tunnel or a pinched nerve, your doctor might call for an electromyogram (EMG). The test uses needles and small shocks to test the signaling of your nerves and muscles. It may provide vital information for your diagnosis, but just how bad is it going to hurt? Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Daniel Cushman , sports medicine physician at University of...

When you think about physical therapy, you might imagine movement exercises. But that’s not the only treatment options available. Tamara Dangerfield , physical therapist at University of Utah Health, talks about the methods she uses to help treat her patients’ pain. From lasers to dry needling, she shares the tools in her tool belt to help get you moving again.

Exercising during pregnancy is not only good for heart and respiratory health, good for controlling weight and flexibility, and good for helping women maintain strength, it also gives women significant psychological benefits. Yet, how much exercise should be individualized and when is exercise during pregnancy not recommended? Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with perinatologis...

Should you eat three large meals a day or several smaller ones? Theresa Dvorak , registered dietitian at University of Utah Health, clears up the confusion about meal frequency. Learn how meal timing affects hunger, why long gaps between meals can lead to overeating, and how to build a schedule that works with your body and lifestyle.

We’ve all heard the claims of fad diets. Cut carbs and lose 20 pounds. Drink nothing but smoothies and drop a dress size. Eat like a Neanderthal and get in the best shape of your life. But are any of these fad diets actually healthy, or even safe, for you to be on? Kary Woodruff, registered dietitian at University of Utah Health, warns of the unhealthy red flags to look out for before startin...

Colorectal cancer is among the most common and deadly forms of cancer. But if detected early with a colonoscopy, the risk of getting colon cancer is reduced by 70 percent, making it one of the easiest forms of cancer to prevent. Yet, many people opt against one. Gastroenterologist Dr. Kathleen Boynton discusses five of the most common barriers keeping people from getting a potentially life-saving...

Do your ears ring after a noisy concert or because of a loud work environment? Could it indicate something serious? Hear what emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says ear ringing can mean, whether it's something to worry about, and some actions you can take if you are concerned.

For a major operation like shoulder surgery, it’s not just the operation but what you do after that can make a big difference in the outcome. So, what can you expect with your recovery after surgery? Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Robert Tashjian , orthopedic surgeon at University of Utah Health, talks about the recovery process after shoulder surgery and what steps you’ll be taking before you can ge...

Medical clinical trials are about more than just testing medications, they provide valuable research that can lead to better treatment methods for beating cancer. Dr. Theresa Werner , medical director of the Clinical Trial Office at Huntsman Cancer Institute, talks about how medical trials are conducted, what they can offer patients and how you or a loved one can participate in groundbreaking rese...