The Scope

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...

Frequent urination is often associated with diabetes, but many people do not realize the disease can also damage the nerves that control the bladder over time. Poorly controlled blood sugar may cause urinary urgency and frequent trips to the bathroom early on, while long-term diabetes can leave the bladder unable to empty properly. Kirtly Jones, MD , talks to urologist Sara Lenherr, MD , about how...

If you get a concussion, it’s important to see your doctor, even if you don’t think it’s a big deal. If you’ve suffered a more severe blow to the head, multiple concussions or the symptoms persist much beyond a few days, you should see an expert. Dr. Colby Hansen  explains what to expect when you go to the University of Utah Orthopedic Center Concussion Clinic . He’ll cover the questions doctors w...

For nine months, you build up the expectations about being a new parent. If this sounds like you, pause for a moment and listen to this podcast. Dr. Sonja Van Hala discusses common stresses that many first-time parents experience, unrealistic expectations they have, common problems they encounter and gives some tips on what to do about them to have a better first-time parenting experience.

Depression caused by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is higher in Utah and other places further from the equator. Psychiatrist Jason Hunziker, MD , talks about why ten percent of people in Utah are at a higher risk and key warning signs that indicate you or a loved one might suffer from SAD. To learn more about seasonal affective disorder treatments, listen to this interview with Dr. Hunziker. I...

Does your bladder constantly interrupt your life? There might be a solution. Sara Lenherr is a urologist who focuses on treating female incontinence and is an expert in determining its cause. Medical conditions, surgeries and giving birth might be to blame. Or it could be an issue with how your brain and bladder communicate. In this five-minute podcast, Dr. Kirtly Jones asks Dr. Lenherr about the...

There are some common things that parents of children with autism do that create a barrier to their child's transition into adulthood. Court Allred, a social worker with the Autism Clinic of Utah, sees two common patterns: parents that are doing too much and those that are doing too little. In this podcast, Allred gives insight into how he works with parents to create a balance between the two pat...

Carpal tunnel syndrome can disrupt everything from sleep to work, but treatment does not have to be complicated. Tom Miller, MD , talks with orthopedic specialist Doug Hutchinson, MD, about what happens after a referral, when to consider testing, and how to know if it is time to move from splints to surgery.

Your child’s head appears misshapen or noticeably flat. There are two possible reasons: One of them, called positional plagiocephaly, is easy to fix and is not a threat the child. The other, cranial synostosis, could severely affect your child’s brain development and requires surgery. Dr. Barbu Gociman says if your child has a noticeably flat head you should take them to an expert to determine wha...

Until about 100 years ago, 1 in 10 women died in childbirth. And the period after childbirth was equally delicate. If women survived a difficult birth, they often were left weak and anemic. The same mothers then would have to provide milk for their babies. In the Chinese culture, women are told to stay inside for a month after giving birth. Nobody comes in; nobody goes out. This period of rest als...

Adults with autism are more likely to experience recurring health issues that can significantly impact quality of life. Because these conditions often develop gradually or go unnoticed, caregivers and clinicians play a vital role in recognizing early warning signs and taking proactive steps. Kyle Bradford Jones, MD , talks about how to better support the health and safety of adults with autism thr...

The elderly take an average of 14 prescribed medications each year, increasing their risk for adverse drug interactions that could land them in the hospital. A study published in the Journal of Medical Economics finds that older adults who underwent DNA testing, and whose results were processed through the YouScript decision support tool created by Genelex , had 71 percent fewer emergency departme...