The Scope

Chronic tendon injuries affecting shoulders, elbows and knees have long been hard to treat. But, beyond rest, stretching and icing, physicians have developed new treatment techniques in recent years, including ultrasound, stem-cell therapies and specialized needle procedures. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Nick Monson , an orthopedics and sports medicine physician, about how these new procedures c...

On this episode of ER or Not , emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the serious, potentially fatal causes and complications that can arise when you or a loved one is having trouble breathing. Find out what your labored breathing may be a sign of and when you should call 911 immediately.

Teething can be a fussy and difficult time for babies and their parents. But some over-the-counter teething tablets contain a homeopathic product—belladonna—that can make your child sick. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why these teething tablets, or gels, are bad for toddlers and suggests some simpler, and safer, alternatives.

Mothers can face their toughest years in their mid 30s and 40s, especially if their children are teenagers. Women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says stress and depression can arise in middle-aged women when changing bodies, hormones and mental states are compounded by challenging teenagers. Learn what mothers can do to cope with these challenging midlife years.

In one way or another, you find yourself punctured with a freshly sharpened No. 2 pencil. There might even be a bit of a dark spot from the graphite underneath the skin. Are you in danger of lead poisoning? Should you go to the emergency room immediately? On this episode of ER or Not , Dr. Troy Madsen settles your childhood fears about pencil-related injuries.

Your child may want to take his or her smartphone or tablet to bed. But is it a good idea? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says using a mobile device before bed reduces sleep time for kids, which can disrupt sleep quality and quantity. Learn more about what parents should know before allowing mobile devices at bedtime.

While incidence of childhood asthma has doubled in the last 20 years, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says some studies suggest eating cold-water fish could be a way for pregnant mothers to help their children avoid asthma. Find out how some of these studies were conducted with pregnant mothers and fish oil, and learn some practical tips for including more fish oil in your diet.

A broken collarbone, or clavical, is a common sports injury and, traditionally, people let the break heal naturally. But, sometimes, surgery is best to maintain shoulder functionality and avoid later discomfort. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Bruce Thomas , an orthopedic surgeon, about what scenarios might warrant surgery to help heal a broken clavical.

Too much of one exercise, like running, can be unhealthy. That's why sports medicine physician Dr. Nick Monson says runners should do other exercises in addition to running, like biking, swimming or weightlifting. He says people who have a balanced exercise regime experience fewer injuries. Learn some specific things that runners can do to keep themselves balanced.

You have been out in the cold too long, and now your fingers or toes are pale, numb, and painful. Is this something you can warm up at home—or are you at risk of permanent damage? Emergency physician Graham Brant-Zawadzki, MD , explains the early warning signs of frostbite, what severe frostbite looks like, and why timing is everything when it comes to saving tissue. Know when simple rewarming is...

A recent study by JAMA Internal Medicine finds that older people with female doctors generally have lower mortality and hospital readmission rates. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says after a closer look, the study found only a slight difference for patients whose doctors were either male or female. But she suggests women doctors tend to practice physician care differently than male...

When injuries occur, patients may have choices for different trauma centers to visit. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Justin Haller about what a Level I trauma center is and why he recommends going to a top-level facility if one is nearby. Studies show Level I trauma centers provide better outcomes even for simpler injuries and are often better equipped and more cost-effective wh...

Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen stopped by today and told us the flu season is here and could be a bad one. He’s seen an increase in really sick patients with the flu during the past couple weeks and expects it to only get worse. We asked Dr. Madsen for the details and for what he wants people to know about staying healthy this flu season.

It’s a new year, and you may be thinking of some resolutions to better your health and wellness. But general, big-picture goals like “get fit” or “eat better” may seem overwhelming. Where do you even start? Why not start small? Dr. Troy Madsen , emergency room physician at University of Utah Health, has five simple, yet specific, things you can do today that will set you on the path to a healthier...

Starting and sticking to an exercise routine can be challenging, but it does not have to be overwhelming. Health coach Nick Galli identifies three common obstacles that often derail fitness goals and offers practical strategies to overcome them. Learn how to incorporate movement into your day, rethink what counts as exercise, and focus on the real, long-term benefits beyond aesthetics.

Many people set a goal to eat healthier, but sticking to that goal is often a challenge. Busy schedules, convenience foods, and diet culture pressures can make it difficult to maintain healthy habits long-term. Planning ahead can make healthy choices easier and more sustainable. Registered dietitian Kary Woodruff discusses the common obstacles that make healthy eating difficult and shares practica...

Most people don't consider the emergency room a joyful place for the Yuletide holiday, but accidents can happen anytime. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says people who visit the ER on Christmas day usually arrive for something serious. Learn what seasonal activities can commonly land people in the ER, and get tips for spending your Christmas holiday safely.

When you hear the word ultrasound, you may first think of babies, but that’s not all it’s used for. Over the past 20 years, ultrasounds have become a major part of sports medicine procedures. Dr. Tom Miller talks with Dr. Daniel Cushman , a sports medicine physician at University of Utah Health, about the use of ultrasound in orthopedics and how it can lead to better treatment for patients.

It seems like every week there is some new health study in the news. One week coffee is good for your health. It’s causing cancer the next. Is it all right for scientists to get things wrong? According to Christie Aschwanden , lead science writer for FiveThirtyEight , there are always uncertainties in science. Being proven wrong is just part of the process. On this episode of The Scope, how to bes...

After sitting for a long time, you notice one leg is swollen and your calf is painful. Should you go to the ER? Emergency physician Jeffrey Druck, MD , says the risk of a blood clot in your leg from sitting too long is reason to visit the ER. Find out why sitting for a long time during a car drive or plane flight can be dangerous, who can be at risk, and what you can do to prevent it.

Both men and women can shrink as they get older because of lost bone density, but this can be more apparent with older women. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says normal shrinking can affect older women as their back vertebrae get flatter over time. But shrinkage can also cause older women to have bent-over backs, which can cause discomfort and more health problems. Learn what women can do to keep their b...

Because they can reach temperatures up to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, glass-front gas fireplaces are responsible for many preventable burn injuries to children each year. Jordan Green shares the harrowing experience of his infant son who burned his hand one morning and faced a long and painful period of wound care and rehabilitation afterward. Learn what safety precautions you can take if you have a...

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tonsils that is relatively common. It’s contagious and can lead to a very sore throat, so the earlier it’s treated, the better. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses four tell-tale signs you should be looking for to determine if you have strep throat and how to treat it.

It's the holidays and you've stepped on a glass ornament that fell off the tree. Should you go to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says Urgent Care is likely a better option. But don't wait—seek medical attention immediately. Find out which serious symptoms from stepping on broken glass might warrant a trip to the ER, and why.

An injury to a young athlete can be a serious game changer. It can impact their overall performance and, in some cases, prevent them from ever playing again. Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Travis Maak , an orthopedic surgeon at University of Utah Health Care, about what an athlete can expect for their game play after an ACL tear.