The Scope

Emerging science in the study of addiction may fundamentally change the way we approach and treat addiction. University of Utah psychotherapist Eric L. Garland, Ph. D , discuss new research that shows how addiction may actually be a symptom of “normal learning gone awry” and how doctors at the U are using this knowledge to create new, more effective treatments for patients suffering from addiction...

While it is rare these days, some children still catch chicken pox. Will old-fashioned remedies like an oatmeal bath work? Or should you take her to the pediatrician? Dr. Cindy Gellner goes step-by-step through everything you need to know about your child’s chicken pox, how to treat every symptom and when it’s time to take her to the pediatrician.

Have you ever treated a child with abdominal pain that you suspected might be caused by appendicitis? It’s tempting to go straight to a CT scan, but such scans expose children to ionizing radiation, which is potentially harmful. Eric Glissmeyer, MD , a pediatric emergency physician, discusses how doctors can know whether to employ advanced scanning in kids. He presented this information to his pee...

While medications are effective for many children with epilepsy, other kids are drug-resistant. After two failed medications, it may be time to look at other options, such as surgery, to prevent further damage caused by seizures. Matthew Sweney , MD, MS, discusses options for particularly stubborn cases. He presented this information at the 2016 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Baltimore.

When parents of autistic teens have high expectations, they are more likely to have the skills they need to live independently, reports a study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The transition to adulthood can be difficult for people with autism. Suddenly, subsidized educational and social supports disappear, and they and their families are left on their own. “Many de...

Have an extreme pain or discomfort in your stomach? Has it lasted longer than five minutes? Many sufferers avoid going to the emergency room for fear they’ll just be told it’s nothing and then sent home. As a follow-up to “ER or Not: Severe Stomach Pain,” emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen takes us step-by-step through what physicians do when a patient with abdominal pain comes into the ER and wh...

Autism effects people their entire lives. Yet most research about the autism spectrum focuses on childhood and adolescence then goes straight to geriatrics. But what about autism in adulthood? What resources are available to aging parents of people with autism and the adults with autism? Scott Wright , researcher at University of Utah and editor of the book "Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mid and Lat...

Are you the type of person who likes working with your hands, problem solving and is a bit of a science nerd? Have a favorite parasite? Then maybe a medical technologist job at ARUP is right for you. ARUP medical technologist, Kristen Case specializes in parasitology. Her workday consists of looking at samples through microscopes and running tests to help diagnose what's wrong with patients at med...

Our hands are one of the primary ways we interact with the world. We touch, feel, grab and grasp. It’s pretty common to get them hurt in a lot of different ways. Dr. Andrew Tyser covers the different types of trauma that can happen to your hands and, more importantly, what to do, step-by-step if you ever find yourself separated from one of your fingers.

Outside of latex condoms and certain spermicides, it is extremely rare for a woman to have an allergic reaction to any form of birth control. That includes oral contraceptives. With cases of less than one in a thousand, birth control allergies are not normal for majority of women. But what if you are allergic to birth control? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains the difference between allergies and s...

When a child develops an itchy rash, many parents immediately worry about chicken pox. But thanks to vaccination, most rashes in school-age children are caused by something else entirely. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , debunks chicken pox myths. Learn how to tell when a rash might not be chicken pox, what conditions commonly mimic it, and when to call your child's pediatrician about a suspected...

A randomized clinical trail led by Huntsman Cancer Institute investigators finds that a combinatorial chemotherapy reduces precancerous polyps by 75 percent in patients at high-risk for cancer. This advance represents the first prevention therapy against the leading cause of death, cancer of the small intestine, for patients with a genetic condition that leads to a 100 percent lifetime risk for de...

Warm weather is coming and it’s time to get your yard ready for summer–but be careful using a lawn mower. Dr. Troy Madsen , emergency physician, joins us to describe common lawn mower injuries he sees in the ER, and the type of injuries he sees the most might just surprise you.

The occasional “knuckle rub” to an itching eye can feel relieving, especially as allergy season starts. However, according to Mark Mifflin, MD , professor of ophthalmology, chronic eye itching can lead to serious, irreparable damage to your eyes. Tom Miller, MD , talks to Dr. Mifflin about what can cause constant eye irritation and the risks you take by rubbing your eyes too often or too hard.

Low sex drive is not uncommon in men, with 20 to 25 percent expressing having little interest for an extended period in the past year. But what about a sudden drop in male libido? It may be a touchy subject for some men, but it’s worth discussing if you feel your partner isn’t acting normal in the bedroom. In this special episode of "Am I Normal," Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explores eight common reas...

The picosecond laser is the most precise piece of laser technology available to dermatologists, capable of bursts as small as one-trillionth of a second. In skilled hands this laser can remove tattoo ink more effectively and with fewer treatments and potential complications than previous lasers. Dr. David Smart explains how the laser works and why it is so important for patients to make sure they...

Kids can be messy, sweaty, and occasionally smelly. But some odors may point to a medical issue instead of just needing a bath. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains common childhood smells. Learn what is usually harmless, what simple fixes may help at home, and when certain smells could signal infections, constipation, diabetes, or other concerns worth checking out.

Just as our immune system kicks into gear to fight off the cold or flu, it can also mount a defense against cancer, but typically isn’t strong enough to defeat it. Mingnan Chen, Ph. D. , assistant professor of pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Utah, is developing a system to boost our body’s own defenses that he anticipates could one day become the basis for a cancer...

A recent study shows the life expectancy for individuals with autism can be 10 to 30 years less than those without it. But why? It might have to do with inadequate health care. Scott Wright , a researcher at University of Utah and the editor of the book "Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mid and Later Life," talks about the different factors in health care and the challenges individuals with autism have...

Some women just “feel a little different” around the beginning of their menstrual cycle. This is called a catamenial symptom. These symptoms can include everything from cramping to headaches to acne to anxiety and are caused by changes in the hormone and biochemical levels in a woman’s body. But in some rare cases, this monthly change in body chemistry can cause severe and potentially dangerous re...

Believe it or not, a majority of people suffering from tennis elbow do not actually play tennis. It can actually be caused by any overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles. Symptoms usually include severe arm pain even lifting light objects. The condition is actually a degenerative one, meaning ice and anti-inflammatories might not help. Tom Miller, MD , talks to orthopedic specialist Angela W...

Imagine this: during a skin self-exam you notice a growth or mole that looks suspicions but you aren’t sure. You take a picture of it with your phone using a special app that allows others to vote whether or not they think you should do something about it. The next day, you wake up and learn that 38 percent of the people that looked at it you should see a dermatologist. Sound crazy? Maybe, but it...

Playing novice electrician? Stuck something in an outlet you shouldn’t have? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explores the potential health risks you may face after experiencing even just a minor electrical shock. And spoiler: You should go to the hospital.

Thyroid nodules are surprisingly common, affecting up to half of the U.S. population, yet only a small percentage turn out to be cancerous. Endocrinologist Dev Abraham, MD , from Huntsman Cancer Institute, explains how thyroid nodules are evaluated, what risk factors doctors look for, and why, in some cases, careful monitoring may be safer than immediate surgery. Learn what every patient should kn...

Some kids are easier than others. As a parent you want to feel like a parenting genius, but what do you do when your child is moody, stubborn, challenging, spirited or just down right difficult? First, give yourself a break. Parenting is hard, and in most cases a difficult child is the way they are in spite of your efforts as a parent. Dr. Cindy Gellner has some methods of dealing with your child’...