The Scope

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...

Cows’ milk is one of the eight foods responsible for most food allergies in children. It’s also a common ingredient in many foods. Dr. Cindy Gellner gives tips on how to help your child manage the allergy. She also talks about the effects of a milk allergy and how to treat a reaction if it happens.

Myth or truth: women shouldn’t be making big decisions during PMS? Contrary to what some may think, many women don’t even have PMS before their periods. But should those who do be making important decisions when experiencing hormonal changes and mood swings? Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones gives the facts about premenstrual syndrome and how it really affects a woman’s mental and emot...

When you start sneezing and your nose starts running, is it allergies or a sinus infection? Tom Miller, MD , talks to otolaryngologist Jeremiah Alt, MD , about how to distinguish allergies from the common cold and sinus infections. Learn which symptoms point toward allergic rhinitis, when facial pressure and discolored mucus may signal a sinus problem, and how over-the-counter and prescription tre...

If you're on testosterone treatments, it’s important to be regularly monitored by a physician to avoid potential risks. Dr. Jim Hotaling is an urologist and men’s health expert at University of Utah Health. Find out what the potential risks are and why it’s really important to have a supervising physician and periodic lab tests if you are on testosterone treatments.

If your child is allergic to latex, something as simple as going to a birthday party with latex balloons can trigger a deadly allergic reaction. Knowing what products and foods contain latex can save your child’s life. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the effects of a latex allergy and how to treat a reaction if it happens.

Just a few years ago, treating critical aortic stenosis required surgery. Now, there’s transcatheter aortic valve replacement , which allows for treatment of the heart’s blocked valve without actual surgery. Dr. Tom Miller talks to cardiologist, Dr. Jim Fang about this new procedure, how it’s actually done, and who the potential candidates are.

Though it may be hard to get past the “ick factor”, fecal transplants—putting fecal matter from a healthy donor into a patient’s intestine—is proving to be a surprisingly effective way to treat serious infections such as Clostridium difficile. However, so far the therapy has not been as successful in treating chronic conditions such as Chron’s or inflammatory bowel disease. June Round, PhD , assis...

Deep fat frying a turkey is dangerous. Chances are good you are making at least one mistake that could lead to a fire—or worse, a severe burn injury. Annette Matherly from University of Utah Health Care Burn Center talks about the six big things to watch out for when deep fat frying your turkey and gives some tips so you and your loved ones stay safe this holiday season.

We know women stop producing hormones at a certain time in their life, but what about men? Do men ever stop producing testosterone? Men’s health expert Dr. James Hotaling talks about andropause, aka male menopause. He explains just what it is, when it’ll happen, its symptoms and the effects it’ll have on your health.

Learning that your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be a lot to take in. You will want answers to questions including: “What causes ADHD?” “What can I do to help control the disorder?” and “Why my child?” The piles of information can be overwhelming. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how to process all the information and what you and your family can do to p...

New research suggests that small changes in brain connectivity early in life may lead to big changes that contribute to autism and intellectual disabilities. The study, which explores how disruption to the gene Kirrel3 affects the developing brain, could help explain why some people with mutations in the gene develop these conditions. Megan Williams, PhD, assistant professor of neurobiology and an...

Having an accurate family health history is just as important as excising or eating right—maybe even more important. Knowing the health risks that run in your family is one of the most crucial things you can do to help your doctor understand and diagnose potential genetically-linked diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental illness. Heredity expert, Dr. Joshua Schiffman...

A good marriage makes people healthier. An abusive marriage is bad for your health. Research from the University of Utah found being in a marriage with a cold and controlling spouse is as predictive of poor heart health as smoking or having high cholesterol. “The Marriage Benefit” has shown that married men are healthier and live longer. The benefit has less impact for women. That doesn’t mean mar...

Do you have trouble breathing from one, or both sides of your nose? Some might be born with it, or it could be a result caused by an accident to the nose. It’s a deviated septum—a destruction of the nasal bone—and it’s not something you can see just from looking at the nose. Dr. Tom Miller talks to rhinologist Dr. Jeremiah Alt about the symptoms to figuring out if you have a deviated septum, and t...