The Scope

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”.

Testosterone levels drop with age, but medication is not your only option. Urologist James Hotaling, MD , shares evidence-backed strategies that can help men boost their testosterone naturally. From weight training to sleep hygiene, find out what works, what does not, and what habits to avoid if you are serious about improving your health and energy levels.

Men and women have been wearing elevated shoes for thousands of years. Back in ancient Egypt, wearing high heels was an indication of upper class status. Now, high heels are a part of fashion. But the health consequences of wearing them may not be so pretty. In the U.S., emergency rooms treated more than 123,000 high heel-related injuries between 2002 and 2012. Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about the his...

Winter weather looks intimidating, but freezing temperatures are not a good excuse to avoid movement. Most people—especially those without significant heart or lung conditions—benefit far more from outdoor activity than they risk. Russell Vinik, MD , breaks down when it is safe to head outside, how to dress smartly, and why even 20 minutes a few times a week can dramatically improve your cardiovas...

If you catch your child sexting, or even suspect it, take it seriously and take action. Dr. Kyle Bradford Jones says the potential dangers go way beyond the embarrassment of pictures going public. Research shows sexting is tied to other risky, life-altering behaviors that no parent wants to have happen to their kids. Listen to this short, three-minute podcast to find out the signs, the real risks...

If your goal is to lose fat and retain lean muscle mass, you have to eat properly. But what does that mean? There are many myths and misconceptions when it comes to getting your body to let go of that extra fat. Registered dietitian Theresa Dvorak talks about which research-based lifestyle and diet changes you have to make to ramp up your metabolism to become a better fat burner. She also talks ab...

If you have rectal bleeding, it could be due to a hemorrhoid. But first you should see a health care professional to rule out other more serious causes, including rectal cancer—especially if bleeding is persistent. If you know for sure it’s hemorrhoids, there are some things you can do at home to find relief. Dr. Tom Miller asks Dr. Molly Gross what she recommends to her patients. She also talks a...

It is gross to talk about, but you can learn a lot from snot. While mucus may be a bit of an annoyance, it plays an important role in your child’s body. Mucus lines organs with a protective layer, keeping dust and dirt out to help fight off infections. But not all mucus is the same. Different colors can mean fungal infection or other serious health issues. And mucus from allergies is different fro...

Bladder dysfunction is a common problem for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether it’s constipation or fecal incontinence, health problems related to the bladder are uncomfortable for anyone. So how to you know if your bladder issue is related to MS or not? And if it is related, can it lead to more serious health issues? Urologist Dr. Sara Lenherr and Dr. Kirtly Jones discuss the issues,...

Throughout the year, parents often find themselves worrying about their child's health, especially when they seem to catch one cold after another. While it's natural to bundle them up to protect them, the common misconception that cold weather or seasonal attire causes sickness needs to be debunked. Pediatrician  Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about when, why, and how children get colds and other...

How do you recover from a concussion? There’s a process to follow. Not following doctors’ recommendations can lead to bigger problems in the future. Neurosurgeon Dr. Greg Hawryluk covers the six steps doctors prescribe to athletes for concussion recovery. The steps also work if you aren’t an athlete. Most important: If you think you have suffered from a concussion, you still should see a doctor.

Is it safe to let your kids play contact sports when there’s risk of concussion? It’s a question Dr. Colby Hansen from the University of Utah Orthopedic Center Concussion Clinic is asked a lot recently. In this podcast, you’ll find out why he says “yes.” He’ll talk about the issues to consider and what players, coaches and parents need to know about concussions to make sure young athletes stay hea...

At the heart of precision medicine is taking into consideration that each person is unique. Two people with the same disease can have very different outcomes depending on their specific genetic milieu, a complication that is largely overlooked in research and therapeutics. Clement Chow, Ph. D. , assistant professor of human genetics at the University of Utah, explains why science has been slow to...

The upcoming Will Smith movie “Concussion” focuses on a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE.) We asked Dr. Colby Hansen  from the University of Utah Orthopedic Center Concussion Clinic  what doctors know and don’t yet know about it. And be sure to check out our podcasts on concussions: "Should I Let My Kids Play Contact Sports?" , "Concussions: What We Know and What We Don’t" ,...

It might surprise you, but doctors’ understanding of concussions is still in its infancy. In this podcast, we ask neurosurgeon Dr. Greg Hawryluk to bring us up to speed on what we know and what we don’t. He also clears up some misconceptions, talks about how they affect the brain, and what should worry you the most if you get a concussion. There is one thing we know for sure: If you think you have...