The Scope

Treating cancer with chemotherapy has long been associated with imminent hair loss, but perhaps no longer. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says "scalp cooling" techniques have been found to reduce hair loss for many undergoing chemotherapy. Learn how the process works and how "cool caps" can be an option for those who wish to prevent alopecia—hair loss—that can result from chemothera...

Most newborn skin problems can usually be dealt with at home with some cream and time. But what if your baby develops something that looks comparable to that of teenage acne? White pimples, red cheeks and it’s all over your baby's body. Pediatrician Dr. Amy Williams from University of Utah Health talks about why newborns may develop acne, how it can be treated and when a trip to the pediatrician i...

Research shows that physical therapy is a vital part of treatment. It leads to earlier mobility following procedures and faster recovery for the patient. But did you know that physical therapy is more than just for sports medicine and physical rehab? Rob Shingleton , physical therapist at University of Utah Health, discusses the surprising ways physical therapy can help with your recovery and disp...

Osteoarthritis—the wearing out of joints, like a hip or knee—can be a debilitating and painful condition affecting certain people. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your joints strong and healthy and avoid possible joint replacement. Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. David Petron , professor of sports medicine, about why osteoarthritis occurs, how it can be treated and some common exercis...

Women patients are increasingly seeing women's health specialists, like OB-GYNs, less frequently, and are more often receiving health advice from general physicians instead. What common women's health issues should internists know more about? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with Dr. Melissa McNeil , professor of medicine and director of the Comprehensive Women's Health Program at the University of...

As a new parent, you probably have a lot of questions about your baby. Are you feeding too much? Are you feeding too little? How much weight gain is normal? The answers might be as simple as checking your newborn’s diaper. Dr. Kirsten Stoesser , family medicine physician at University of Utah Health, shares four simple things to watch for to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat.

Emergency medicine physician Jeffery Druck, MD , talks about what really goes on behind those ER doors. Learn the top reasons people come in and the surprising symptoms that do not always need immediate care. Plus, what emergency department doctors wish you knew before you walked in.

Dupuytrens Contracture is a condition in which a person's fingers bend toward the palm and cannot be fully extended. The condition can make working, and even daily functioning, difficult. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Nikolas Kazmers , orthopedic hand surgeon at University of Utah Health, about why Dupuytrens Contracture occurs and some treatment methods for straightening the finge...

Will shaving your baby's head make its hair grow thicker? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says no. On this episode of Debunking Old Wives’ Tales , Dr. Gellner highlights some common misconceptions out there about what makes a baby's hair grow and gives some real, science-based tips for caring for your baby's hair.  

As a new parent, you’ve probably been taking your child to their first few checkups and been surprised at how many immunizations they’ve been receiving. In some cases, your child may receive up to 15 shots in the first year. Does your child really need them all? Family medicine physician Dr. Charles White discusses why these immunizations are so important for your newborn.

Does a car accident warrant a trip to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says any head injuries, neck pain or a painful abdomen means you need to get to the ER. But what should you do if a paramedic gives you a choice? ER or Urgent Care? Find out what to consider if you are in a car accident.

Nursing is a growing industry, with some studies showing as much as a sixteen percent increase in the number of U.S. nursing jobs within the next decade. But what does it take to become a nurse? Is your GPA high enough? How about experience? Matthew Anderson, a nurse with University of Utah Health, joins The Scope to share his personal experience. Learn what got him into the field, what it takes t...

Anti-hormones are usually prescribed to treat conditions such as hair loss, acne, and breast cancer. But women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says certain hormone blockers are not recommended for women to control hair loss because they can cause birth defects. Learn how anti-hormones, such as antiandrogens and antiestrogens, function and how they can be used safely.

Eating disorders are commonly associated with teens and young adult women. But older, middle- aged women can also suffer from eating disorders. Dietitian Kary Woodruff talks about how eating disorders can develop in older adults and the various life stressors that can trigger them.

Patients with artificial joints can be at risk for infections, and they can be challenging to treat. Dr. Tom Miller speaks Dr. Jeremy Gililand , professor of orthopedic surgery, about how such unique infections can be caused, how they can be prevented and what measures doctors will commonly take to treat them.

Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says if you suspect a food allergy is making it hard for you to breathe, call 911 immediately. Food allergy symptoms can range from mild itching to more severe breathing difficulty. And some food allergies can develop later in life with foods people had no problems with when they were young. Listen to find out the difference between food "allergies" and foo...

When a hospital claims to be “No. 1” in a ranking, what does that ultimately mean to you as a patient? Does a top-ranked hospital actually mean better quality of care? Dr. Robert Pendleton , chief medical quality officer at University of Utah Health, says there are more than 30 different rankings in the U.S. that are strictly for advertising and have little to do with actual quality of care, and a...

The human spine is meant to bend naturally, but an excessive curving of the spine, or kyphosis, is a condition that is either inherited or develops over time. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Nicholas Spina , an orthopedic surgeon, about why kyphosis happens to some people and what is involved with treating it, such as physical therapy. If this condition affects you, learn some tips and activities t...

It can be a shock to find your first gray hairs on your head, especially if you are only in your 20s. But women's health specialist Kirtly Jones, MD , says a few gray hairs are perfectly normal, even for women in their late 20s and early 30s. Find out what is normal, and what is not, when it comes to signs of "wisdom" in your hair.

Finding a lice infestation in your child's hair can cause panic. Lice are tiny gray insects that feed on your child's blood and can easily be spread to and from other children at school or daycare. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says the good news is the infection can be treated with over-the-counter lice shampoo. If you suspect your child has lice, learn some tips to contain and prevent the infes...

A positive HIV diagnosis is not something to be taken lightly, but with modern treatments, the diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Today’s HIV-positive patients can expect to live long and happy lives—even without taking 20 pills a day. HIV specialist Adam Spivak, MD , talks about how HIV treatment and care have advanced throughout the years, and how specialists at an HIV/AIDS clinic can help...

Has your child gotten something stuck in his or her ear that both your kid and you can't seem to get out? For those hard-to-grab objects, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says you should consider either the ER or urgent care because there’s a chance you could push it in further. Find out what you should do for all those other times when a foreign object gets stuck in your child’s ear.

Today, couples have many options to increase their chances of getting pregnant, including many natural approaches to improved fertility. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with Dr. Joe Stanford , a professor in the department of family and preventive medicine, about what couples can do to naturally improve, or hurt, their chances of getting pregnant. If you're planning a fam...

In the battle against your child's acne, parents often wonder about the efficacy of treatments. Does washing the face help prevent acne? Will popping pimples make them go away faster? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , addresses five realities and misconceptions surrounding the treatment of childhood and teenage acne.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a potentially serious lung condition that could impact your life. But you may have never heard of it. In fact, your doctor may not have even come across it. It’s relatively rare, with one in 1000 Americans likely to develop the condition. According to Dr. John Ryan , director of the CTEPH program at University of Utah Health, the symptoms ca...