The Scope

LASIK surgery can be a life-changing option for those looking to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses—but how safe is it, and what should you expect? Mark Mifflin, MD , explains how modern LASIK technology ensures a quick, pain-free, and highly accurate procedure. Learn how expert guidance, advanced laser tracking, and proper postoperative care make LASIK a reliable and low-risk solution...

Straining, crying, and turning red without producing a bowel movement can leave parents worried that something is seriously wrong—but in many cases, it is a normal developmental phase called infant dyschezia. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why babies struggle with bowel movements and what parents should—and should not—do to help.

Your nose runs and you might cough a few times during the day, even though you don’t have a cold. For otherwise healthy people, those are the immediate effects of a bad air day in Salt Lake City. And when the inversion goes away, so do those symptoms. But the inversion also impacts our health over the long term. Heidi Hanson is a researcher who investigates how polluted air affects people during t...

For the first time, the Anticoagulation Forum has published clinical guidance statements for managing blood clots in the veins, or venous thromboembolism. Dan Witt , PharmD, Professor of Pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah, is a lead author on statements regarding warfarin management. He explains what prompted the new set of guidance statements, how they differ from existing guidelines, and...

Do you find yourself short of breath, even from a slow walk with the dog? Do you have to catch your breath at the top of a short staircase? Pulmonary hypertension might be the cause. It can limit your quality of life and, untreated, eventually, lead to heart failure. Nathan Hatton, MD , says, unlike hypertension (high blood pressure,) it can be difficult to detect and determine the root cause of p...

Croaking, creaking, and vocal fry—they’re all different descriptions of a way of talking marked by a low, vibratory sound that often comes at the end of a sentence. You’ve no doubt heard many girls and women, and even some boys and men talking in this manner. Maybe even your own kids. It’s not only bothersome to many people to listen to, but it also can cause vocal fatigue and potentially harm the...

Many women struggle with Valentine’s Day expectations: if he loved me, he’d know what I wanted; if he doesn’t do something big, he doesn’t care; surprises are more romantic. If this sounds familiar, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones has advice on how to better approach it to set your partner up to succeed and you to have the Valentine’s Day you want.

Nail biting is a common habit, but usually not a serious one for most children. Most children who bite their nails eventually lose the habit, but some may continue well into adulthood. In more serious situations, nail biting can lead to health concerns. There is no prescription to stop nail biting, but it can be addressed. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the reasons why nail biting occurs and offers...

Older adults who are otherwise healthy are at earlier risk for death if they have low blood levels of bicarbonate, a main ingredient in baking soda. Kalani Raphael , MD, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah and nephrologist at the VA Salt Lake Health Care System, explains the surprising results of his research. Why might low bicarbonate levels indicate poor health,...

What do doctors consider when determining whether to use a CT scan or a MRI for a patient? Radiologist Dr. Ulrich Rassner says there are many factors that go into that decision and it really comes down to what diagnostic information the physician wants to obtain. Learn what issues are involved so you can make sure your doctor recommends the best and safest imaging option for your situation.

Every year around this time you see the posts about how the number of heart attacks increase on Super Bowl Sunday. Is that legit or just a good story to pass around on social media? We asked cardiologist Dr. John Ryan if it’s for real.

Diet enthusiasts talk and blog about it all the time—the Mediterranean diet. It can be difficult to follow, but this diet can help protect against heart disease and improve well-being. Lillian Khor, M.B.BCh., BAO, medical director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation , talks with Kirtly Jones, MD , about the heart-health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and shares practical tips f...

It might seem like your child does not eat enough, is never hungry, or will not eat at all, and you worry they will starve unless you spoon-feed them yourself. Do not worry. It is normal for a child's appetite to slow down between the ages of 1 and 5. Normal does not mean it is pleasant, however. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , gives tips on what parents can—and should not—do to help their child...

You’ve been watching what you eat, but yet a month later your weight is the same. What’s going on? We ask endocrinologist Dr. Dev Abraham from the University of Utah Diabetes Clinic if it could be a thyroid issue.

It’s a common question many people have when they find out they need surgery because of colorectal cancer: Will I need a colostomy bag? Dr. Tom Miller asks specialist Dr. Molly Gross how she answers this question and, if they have to, how she helps patients come to terms with it.

Most people know the dangers of smoking cigarettes and getting lung cancer, but did you know that, just like nicotine cigarettes, e-cigarettes, are bad for your heart and can cause heart attacks? Cardiologist Dr. John Ryan talks about what they do to your heart and why e-cigarettes should really scare you.

Your heart beats approximately 100,000 times every day, circulating your blood across a distance of about 12,000 miles. From dietary choices to physical activity, sleep habits, and managing factors like smoking, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, each step is crucial for overall heart health. Women's health specialist Kirtly Parker Jones, MD , explores the American Heart Associa...

Some estimates say that as many as half of the scientific discoveries made in certain disciplines cannot be replicated. Irreproducible research is a big problem that could be undermining credibility in science. Tom Parks, Ph. D., vice president for research at the University of Utah, describes factors that have brought us to this point, and steps toward resolving them.

Hand arthritis is nearly inevitable with age, but for some, the pain can interfere with daily life. Orthopedic surgeon Doug Hutchinson, MD , talks to Tom Miller, MD , about when surgery can make a meaningful difference—especially for arthritis near the fingertips or at the base of the thumb. Learn about the conservative and surgical options that relieve pain and restore hand function, and when it...

The effects of a stroke reach far beyond the physical health of those who suffer them and can be especially tough for a spouse or other caregiver. Alexandra Terrill is a rehabilitation psychologist and she says strokes put very different pressure on spouces than other diseases do. Stroke neurologist Jennifer Majersik asks her about some of the common challenges faced by spouses and caregivers of s...

Cardiology imaging can give doctors crucial information to help them more confidently diagnose a patient and choose the best treatment. Dr. Jeroen Bax is a cardiologist from Holland and the president of the European Society of Cardiology. In this interview, Dr. Josef Stehlik and Dr. Stavros Drakos from University of Utah Health Care ask him about the types of imaging available and ways doctors can...

Pregnancy planning is often focused on women. But men's health matters too. Stress, obesity, and lifestyle habits may influence sperm in ways that affect a child's future development and long-term health. Kirtly Jones, MD , explains the emerging science behind sperm and epigenetics, and why men should think ahead before trying to conceive. Learn the simple steps future fathers can take now to supp...

Recent research published in Current Biology shows that the brains of zebrafish have amazing regenerative properties. The work suggests that a specific type of brain cell grows back after it is destroyed, and becomes fully functional again. Adam Douglass , Ph. D., assistant professor of neurobiology and anatomy, is co-senior author on the study with Richard Dorsky , Ph. D., professor of neurobiolo...

Children do not learn very well or get much out of school when they are sick. It is in your child’s and their classmates’ best interest to keep them home from school when they are not feeling well. But what body temperature is a stay-home-from-school temperature? What if your child only has a mild cough? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to know when to keep your child home from sch...

Many people improperly self-diagnose wrist pain as carpal tunnel syndrome, according to Dr. Douglas Hutchinson . In this podcast, Dr. Tom Miller asks this hand and wrist specialist to explain the condition and its symptoms, describe who is likely to get it, and clear up some common misconceptions. To learn more about carpal tunnel treatments, listen to this episode of “The Specalists”.