The Scope

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.

All too often an answer to the simple question of “what is making me sick?” does not come easily. Current methods for figuring out what viruses or bacteria are causing infection come with the risk of being too slow, or failing to find the culprit altogether. Taxonomer is a genomics-based pathogen surveillance tool that could provide the basis for a new way of diagnosing infectious disease. In this...

Headaches, back pain and abdominal pains are some of the most common pains. While these may seem normal, there might be something more going on. Many people ignore these symptoms, but should they? Dr. Troy Madsen discusses when these "normal" pains can turn dangerous, and when to visit your doctor.

Sciatica often starts suddenly—with sharp, electric pain radiating from the lower back down the leg. While the symptoms can feel alarming, most cases improve with time and conservative care. Orthopedic surgeon Ryan Spiker, MD , explains what is happening inside the body, why sciatica develops, and how to manage symptoms safely. Learn when to stay active, what treatments actually help, and which wa...

First and foremost - do not panic. Do not get into a car and drive yourself to the hospital. Get to ground level and listen to your body. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us that women all over the world deliver babies outside of a hospital and goes through the basic steps to deliver your baby at home when getting to the hospital is just not an option.

Many people today are looking for ways to relieve stress, but don’t know how to do it. Unfortunately, many teenagers are turning to cutting as stress relief and as a way to feel again. Dr. Cindy Gellner shares why teenagers are cutting and where they can get help.

Considering a career as a medical assistant but don’t know where to start? Christine Edwards works at University of Utah Health Care as a medical assistant. We ask her about how she got into the field, what her schooling was like, what opportunities exist after you get your foot in the door and her insights into who would do well at this job and how to be successful at it.

You or somebody you know suddenly becomes confused. What does it mean? There are a number of things that could cause this confusion. But if there are other symptoms that appear with confusion, this can be quite serious. Dr. Troy Madsen shares about what this confusion can mean. He also shares what to do if this confusion kicks in.

Ever joked with your friends about eating a tapeworm to lose weight? While weight loss may seem tempting, tapeworms can be very dangerous. Sometimes growing up to 30 feet, tapeworms can cause countless medical issues. ARUP medical technologist Kristen Case talks about the signs and symptoms of tapeworms and how to avoid them.

Scoliosis is common and usually isn't progressive, and, fortunately, those with the condition often can live without much trouble. For some, however, scoliosis can cause pain and even impair function if left untreated. Dr. Tom Miller talks to orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist, Dr. Darrel Brodke , about when you should visit your physician for scoliosis and ways to lessen the pain

Some women describe feeling extremely unbalanced and more prone to dropping things while pregnant, especially in the last trimester. Most women gain 30 pounds in front throughout the pregnancy, and Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones compares the weight gain to wearing a backpack on your waist. It’s going to be hard to balance. Dr. Jones talks about how weight gain, as well as other changes in the body, can m...

Will drinking coffee stunt your child's growth? Does chocolate really give you acne? Is fish brain food? Dr. Cindy Gellner stops by to tell us which tales are true, and which to forget about.

Many women choose to have their ovaries removed during a hysterectomy. Though removing the ovaries adds little to overall risk of the surgery, it could contribute to colon cancer or other potential health problems. In this episode, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discusses the risks and benefits of removing the ovaries.

Stubbing a toe is painful. You might have stubbed your toe really hard, and might have even broken it. Should you go to the ER? Dr. Troy Madsen stops by to discuss whether you should go to the ER. He also discusses how to treat and care for a stubbed toe.

Spinal stenosis is a very common condition, especially as we age. It is a sharp, electrical pain in the lower limbs. Many patients also experience a weakness, burning or heaviness in their feet and legs. It’s caused by arthritis and other age-related factors that compress the nerve roots in the spine. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ryan Spiker talks about this common condition and how a physical therapist...