The Scope

Shoulder instability can disrupt your daily life, limit your activities, and increase the risk of recurring injuries, especially for athletes. Tom Miller, MD , talks with orthopedic surgeon Patrick Greis, MD , about the causes of shoulder instability, treatment options, and how to prevent recurring dislocations. Learn when surgery may be necessary, how physical therapy plays a role, and why person...

Learning about the diagnosis of an illness can be overwhelming. For older patients who may have sensory loss or potential mental complications, understanding and remembering the doctor’s orders can be even more difficult. Geriatrician Mark Supiano, MD , shares tips and strategies patients and doctors can use to make sure they completely understand their diagnosis and effectively communicate everyt...

Cancer is the result of back luck, bad genes, unhealthy behavior, or a combination of all three. While you can't control your luck or your genes, you can control your behavior. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discusses how behavior can contribute to cancer. She also talks about small lifestyle changes you can make to decrease your risk for cancer.

Ear infections are common in childhood—but when they keep coming back, they can affect sleep, hearing, and quality of life. While some factors are beyond your control, pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares practical tips to help reduce your child's risk of frequent ear infections. From bottle feeding technique to vaccine protection, learn what works, what to watch for, and when it is time to see...

Barbara Crouch, director of the Utah Poison Control Center, tells us about the types of calls they’ve been receiving as a result of the algae bloom at Utah Lake and what they’re telling callers to do. She talks about the symptoms and dangers of exposure to the algae’s toxic byproduct cyanobacteria, whether it was at Utah Lake before it was closed or as a result of algae blooms detected in other wa...

Spinal scoliosis is a degenerative spinal disease that can cause extreme pain or weakness in the legs while walking. In some extreme cases it can even lead to a curvature in the spine that causes further complications. For many patients, physical therapy can help, but for others a surgery may be needed to bring relief. The surgery includes installing titanium hardware to assist the spine in healin...

Rabies is a very serious virus. Once a person is infected, there is not much a doctor can do to treat it. If a dog, cat, bat, or other mammal you might suspect has rabies has bitten you, get to the doctor. The first dose of the vaccine should be administered within the first 24 hours after exposure. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains what types of animals may have the virus and what...

Need to get back on birth control but don’t have time for a clinic visit? There’s an app for that. Finding time to get to the doctor can be difficult, especially for young women, women who work full time and women who live in rural areas. Luckily in the digital age, we can buy anything online, including birth control . Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains everything you need to know about buying your...

Tendon injuries like tendonitis and tennis elbow may seem like a regular part of working out, but you should take steps to avoid them. Once you have a tendon injury, it can take months, even years, to improve. It is always better to prevent them in the first place. Emily Harold, MD , is a sports medicine specialist at University of Utah Health Care’s orthopedic clinic. She shares some simple steps...

Mood swings and confused emotions are common in growing teenagers. Anger is a normal emotion, but how your teen handles it is what matters. When a teen becomes really angry, there is often another emotion driving the anger. Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses five steps you, as a parent, can discuss with your teenager that will help them manage their temper.

You get bit by a non-venomous garter snake in your garden. It might be scary, but you know there isn’t venom in your veins. Should you go to the ER? Dr. Troy Madsen explains why a dog bite is actually more dangerous than one from a non-poisonous snake, but why you might want to go to the emergency room if you are behind on your tetanus booster.

If you're a scientist, systematic reviews - a survey of published results to answer a specific research question - may not be as easy to carry out as you think. Melissa Rethlefsen and Mellanye Lackey from the Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Systematic Reviews Core explain common pitfalls and ways to avoid them. T...

There are some people that say fluoride is bad for you, but is it? In the past 50 years, many studies have shown that fluoride in drinking water is beneficial and that a small amount in the water helps children have healthy teeth. Dr. David Okano stops by to share what fluoride is and how it can affect us.

Have a cough that won’t seem to go away? Has it lasted longer than eight weeks? You should go to your doctor. Any cough lasting more than eight weeks is considered chronic and is not likely to go away on its own, and the cause of the cough might surprise you. Tom Miller, MD , shares the most common, and not-so-common, causes of a chronic cough and how doctors treat them.

You have probably heard the old wives’ tale, “Do not let your child eat sugar, or they will get diabetes.” Is this true? Is it true that there is a cure for diabetes? Access to the Internet has created an explosion in information available to people, but it can be hard to tell what is true, and what is not. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , debunks common myths and shares what parents should know r...

Human beings have developed large brains to give us a leg up as a species. But a big brain means a big head, and a big head makes getting a baby out during birth difficult. Vaginal birth can lead to a weakening of the pelvic floor in a minority of women. Age and other factors also can weaken the structure and cause complications. In fact, one in five American women will undergo pelvic floor surger...

Persistent leg pain that flares up while walking and fades with rest may point to a hidden condition of the spine. Tom Miller, MD , talks with orthopedic spine surgeon Darrel Brodke, MD , about how spinal stenosis can compress nerves, disrupt mobility, and quietly erode quality of life. Learn how to recognize early signs, what conservative options exist, and when it's time to seek specialized care...

One of the most common reasons for a child to visit a physician is an ear infection. Many parents bring their children to the doctor because the child has been pulling on their ear. Is this because of an ear infection? What are the symptoms of an ear infection? Dr. Cindy Gellner stops by to discuss the possible symptoms of an ear infection and when it's time to go to the doctor.

Nearly anyone who has worked in research is familiar with the frustrating scenario: a postdoc leaves for another job, and with him goes all sorts of valuable knowledge. It’s become loud and clear that results from many published scientific studies are unreliable. While ethical violations like fraud clearly contribute to the problem, so does a seemingly more benign and much more common issue, poor...

Feeling discomfort when eating hot or cold foods? Tooth sensitivity can be more than just a minor annoyance—it could signal a deeper issue. David Okano, MD , breaks down what different types of tooth sensitivity—whether triggered by cold, heat, or sweet foods—could indicate and how early intervention can help prevent long-term damage. He also shares insights on when to seek dental care, what treat...

Under current guidelines, a systolic blood pressure reading between 140-150 is considered healthy. A national trial completed in late 2015, however, showed that reducing systolic blood pressure to around 120 can have significant benefits for the elderly, including a reduced chance of heart disease and a 32 percent drop in mortality rates. Dr. Mark Supiano , executive director of the University of...

It’s like a scene straight out of a movie. A woman has gone into labor on her way to the hospital. The baby is coming now, and you are the only one who can help. But don’t. Just don’t. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones tells bystanders to “keep their hands to themselves.” She also has advice for anyone who finds themselves in this scenario and what few things you can do to assist the mother while she delive...

Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough. It is an extremely infectious bacteria that can lead to a violent, nasty cough that just will not seem to go away. Luckily, the DTaP vaccine has successfully eradicated most cases in children. However, according Dr. Tom Miller , as we get older, our immunity to the disease wanes and we can become susceptible in adulthood. Dr. Miller talks about pertus...

Surgical site infections are fairly common after an operation. Even with the sterile environment and clean tools, infections can happen. These infections can be treatable and are fairly low risk if they are dealt with quickly. Dr. Troy Madsen shares what these infections look like, and when to contact a doctor. He also discusses treatments and how to take care of yourself if you develop an infecti...

Will eating carrots really improve your child's eyesight? Or will reading in a dim room ruin your eyesight? Dr. Cindy Gellner stops by to discuss the common eyesight myths everyone hears as a child.