The Scope

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...

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.