The Scope

A twisted ankle, pulled muscle, or sudden fall can leave you wondering how serious the injury really is—and whether it is something you can manage at home or needs medical attention. Emily Harold, MD , professor of orthopedics at University of Utah Health, joins Tom Miller, MD , to discuss how recognizing the signs and responding appropriately can help prevent further injury and speed up recovery....

The University of Utah carries the distinction of being a Baby-Friendly Hospital. “But aren’t all hospitals baby friendly?” Asks Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones . Lactation specialist Mary Erickson sits down with Dr. Jones to explain what practices, training and programs make the U Hospital baby friendly and ensures that mom and baby have a successful start together.

In the past few years, doctors have seen a 30 percent increase to kidney stone cases in the United States. In fact, for some urologists, treating kidney stones makes up over half of their practice. So what’s causing this increase in the extremely painful condition? Urologist Dr. Gary Faerber explains how dehydration, diet and genetics can increase your chance of kidney stones and shares some tips...

It can be scary when a young child gets a fever, especially if it doesn’t seem to be going down. How long should you wait until you get them to the hospital? What should you do before then? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner answers these questions and tells you when medical attention is needed for a fever in children.

You’ve been good about family planning, You’ve had the children you want, when you want. You’ve always used birth control, but when can you stop? For most women, it is when they enter menopause, but some birth control methods can make it difficult to tell when you are menopausal. OBGYN Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explores the different types of birth control and the steps women can begin to take to ge...

When it comes to your health, you should always be careful what you read online. Especially when it comes to a surgery like hip replacement. There are two commonly used surgical approaches for the implant, but which one is best for you? Dr. Jeremy Gililand , professor of orthopedics at the U discusses hip replacement surgery and why you should speak with your surgeon about your surgery rather than...

Playing sports can be hard on a body and lead to a serious injury that might need immediate attention. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen covers the top three most common sports injuries he sees in the emergency room. Find out what they are, how to treat them and when you should go to the ER immediately.

Does your child's nose seem to be a trauma magnet, constantly getting bumped, bruised, and bloodied? It is pretty typical for kids to hurt their noses as they play and explore. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , discusses how you should treat your child's injured nose at home and when it is time to go to the doctor.

“Prevention is the best type of medicine,” says Dr. Troy Madsen . Working in the ER, Dr. Madsen has seen people on their worst days. So how has this changed his outlook on personal health? Dr. Madsen talks about some lifestyle changes he has made after years of experience in the emergency room.

Advancements over the past 20 years have led orthopedic specialists to pursue knee and hip replacement procedures sooner rather than later. Tom Miller, MD, talks with Chris Peters, MD, professor of orthopedics, about how new prostheses, surgery techniques, and rehabilitation have led to adopting this new approach to knee and hip replacement, and why it is better for your overall recovery.

Parents, especially new ones, can become obsessed with what’s in their child’s diaper. How much is enough? How much is too little? What color is normal? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner addresses three of the most common bowel movement myths about toddlers.

Many people who clench their teeth do not even realize they do it. Chronically clenching and grinding your teeth can lead to some serious dental issues, including cracks, wearing, and even tooth loss. Periodontist David Okano, MD , talks about the potential problems of teeth clenching and how your dentist can help prevent further damage to your smile.

Breastfeeding should be easy. All mammals do it, but as a new mother, if you have questions, who do you talk to? OBGYN Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones sits down with Mary Erickson, a lactation specialist at the University of Utah Hospital. They discuss the common questions and concerns new mothers may have about breastfeeding, as well as the help lactation specialists can offer.

Rotator cuff tears can happen suddenly from injury or develop gradually with age, and not every tear requires surgery. Bob Burks, MD , talks to Tom Miller, MD , about how to recognize when treatment is needed, what recovery really looks like, and why patient commitment to therapy is key for successful outcomes. Learn about the symptoms, treatment options, and recovery process for rotator cuff tear...

Should you go to the ER for back pain? In this episode of ER or Not, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen details the two symptoms you should be looking for that could be signs of something requiring immediate emergency care. The second one might surprise you.

For the past 50 years, pacemakers have hardly changed, but a new device has the potential to change how pacemakers work. The device is the size of a large vitamin and is implanted via catheter rather than surgery. No need for a skin pocket or wires, and no visible signs the patient even has a pacemaker. Cardiologist Dr. Roger Freedman talks about the new leadless pacemaker implantation and how to...

Diarrhea is a not-so-pleasant condition we have all experienced at one point or another. But what should you do if it lasts longer than a day? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how to treat the problem of diarrhea and what symptoms mean you should seek your doctor’s help.

Kids and adults can both injure their knees doing the same things. Skiing accidents, overuse with sports, trips and falls. But kids’ bones are still developing well into their late teens, which can make treatment more risky. Dr. Tom Miller sits down with Dr. Stephen Aoki , professor of orthopedic surgery at the U, to talk about the key differences when treating pediatric knee injuries and how the...

Ophthalmologist  Amy Lin, MD , from Moran Eye Institute, discusses the best and worst things you can do for your eyes. What are the most common eye problems? Dr. Lin has the answers to these questions and more.

Is your child’s teething causing their ear infections? Will they catch a cold if you let them go outside with wet hair? What about if you leave a window open while they’re sleeping? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , set the record straight on three of the more common old wives’ tales about colds and ear infections.

When we rise out of bed in the morning, the pressure within our eyes changes massively - by 100-fold - and yet no damage is done. David Krizaj , Ph. D., Moran Eye Center investigator and professor of ophthalmology at the University of Utah, has discovered mechanisms that protect cells within the eyes from fluctuations in pressure, and has found that a drug that targets the so-called mechanosensor...

The overwhelming number of people who are shot go to the ER. Contrary to what a lot of movies and TV shows portray, once a gunshot victim gets to the ER, the most important problem isn’t getting the bullet out as fast as possible. ER providers worry first and foremost about internal damage. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how to decrease internal damage in gunshot victims befo...

Sciatica is a general term for pain related to the legs and issues with spinal nerves. Surprisingly, injury is not the most common cause of this painful condition. David Petron, MD , a sports medicine physician, talks with Tom Miller, MD , about how chronic sitting is the primary cause of sciatica and what treatment options are available.

Noses can be pretty gross snot factories, creating mucus of all colors and consistencies. When should you be concerned? What if it’s green? What if it’s red? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , takes a look at four old wives' tales about children’s snot.

Gum disease affects nearly half of adults and often goes undetected until serious damage is done. Periodontist David Okano, DDS , explains how this silent condition erodes the bone supporting your teeth—and how simple daily habits like flossing can protect your smile. Learn the early signs to watch for and what steps to take to prevent gum disease.