The Scope

You’ve probably heard that once you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Dr. Scott Youngquist spills on daily water intake and dehydration: who’s most likely to need more water, how much you really need per day and how that can affect your day-to-day health. He talks about how dehydration can affect you in ways you may not realize and gives some tips to help you drink more water.

Women may come to expect pelvic pain with their menstrual cycles, but a study by researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine and National Institutes of Health suggests even though discomfort may be common, it should not be ignored. Study author Dr. C. Matt Peterson, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the U of U, talks about how undiagnosed pelvic pain may indicate...

There’s a misconception about using birth control pills to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome. While they may make you feel better short-term, it turns out that it can actually make the problem worse in the long run. So what should you do? Dr. Joseph Stanford talks about a number of options for women suffering from this condition—all of which will help you be healthier later on.

There are many reasons children get bloody noses: allergies in the spring, summer and fall can contribute to a bloody nose, and so can the dryness of winter. As Cindy Gellner, MD , explains, it’s the frequent rubbing and blowing of the nose that can actually lead to the bleeding. She tells parents how to treat a bloody nose at home and what to do if the bleeding doesn’t stop.

Feeling wiped out by summer heat at the start of the season—but just fine by August? That is not your imagination. Emergency physician Scott Youngquist, MD , explains how your body adapts to heat over time and what happens beneath the surface to improve tolerance. Learn the science behind heat conditioning, the risks of pushing too far, and what it takes to build heat resilience safely and effecti...

Feeling overly jumpy at small noises is not just an annoyance—it can be a sign of how the brain and body react to stress, stimulants, trauma, or underlying medical conditions. Kirtly Jones, MD , explains why some people develop a heightened startle response. Learn more about the factors that keep the nervous system on high alert and how to navigate getting help when everyday sounds feel overwhelmi...

One in ten women have polycystic ovarian syndrome, a disorder that can cause irregular periods, abnormal hair growth, and fertility problems. But many women have it and don’t even know about it. Dr. Joseph Stanford talks about what causes this common disorder and its symptoms. He also discusses how you can get treated for it.

PCR-based diagnostic tests are becoming increasingly common in clinical settings because they are much more sensitive and accurate than older tests, and provide results within hours, not days. Yet a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases shows that half of those who tested positive for respiratory viruses did not report feeling ill. These findings suggest that some test results should be...

It’s no secret that kids get sick- a lot, but a study led by faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that they are also a source of viral infections for the rest of the family. People in childless households were infected with viruses that cause cold and flu for 3-4 weeks during the year. By contrast, families with six children were infected for up to 45 weeks – 87 percent of th...

It’s long been established that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can contribute to cervical cancer, but recently there has been an alarming increase in head and neck cancers related to HPV. How are the two related? In this podcast, Dr. Marcus Monroe talks about the symptoms of both HPV and the cancers it can cause. He also discusses the easiest and most important way to prevent these cancers: the HPV v...

The University of Utah has a new diabetes, obesity and metabolism clinic with all kinds of treatments and services for patients. Dr. Tim Graham is the medical director of the diabetes, obesity and metabolism programs at University of Utah Health Care. In this podcast he highlights many of the treatments available at the clinic and how they can help you. Dr. Graham talks about why it’s okay to stru...

Half of children who drown do so within 25 yards of their parents. The signs of drowning are much more subtle than you might think. As emergency physician Scott Youngquist, MD , explains, drowning is often a calm and quiet event. He talks about what some of the signs are and what should concern you if you see them at a lake, pool, or the ocean.

After spending a lot of time in the water, the ear can get infected by what’s called swimmer’s ear. If your child complains of earaches, particularly during the summer, swimmer’s ear is most likely the cause. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what you can do to help relieve your child’s ear pain and when to go to the doctor.

If you see a child in the store without their parent, you might be concerned and start to look for their mom or dad while keeping one eye on the child. That’s because humans are what’s called cooperative breeders. In this podcast, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about what that means and how it directly contributes to humans’ lifespans and ability to conceive and raise children.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with chronic or acute kidney failure, you might have all kinds of questions going through your mind. Transplant surgeon Dr. Jeffery Campsen talks with nephrologist Dr. Martin Gregory about some common questions patients have and the steps to take after your initial diagnosis. From communicating with your doctor to starting dialysis, these two doctors talk about some i...

Many have wondered if different treatments are needed when someone with autism also suffers from gastrointestinal problems, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. Dr. Daniel L. Coury, Medical Director of The Autism Treatment Network of Autism Speaks, tells us what the research says when it comes to treating these common conditions and what else we can learn about autism from their research on autism’s com...

Do you experience foot pain early in the morning or when you’ve spent a lot of time on your feet during the day? It could be what’s called plantar fasciitis. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alexej Barg talks to Dr. Tom Miller about what can cause chronic foot pain and some exercises and treatments to help it. Not a lot is known about the causes of plantar fasciitis, but in this podcast Dr. Barg talks about...

It is normal for women to sweat. But how much sweat is too much? Women expert Kirtly Parker Jones lists reasons why women sweat, and it isn’t just because you ran the mile. Dr. Jones also talks about medical conditions that can cause the problem, which is called hyperhidrosis, and why it is recommended to see your physician if you are sweating all the time or too much at a time.

Back problems are painful. You might be thinking that more movement will cause more pain, so medication is your safest bet. But medicine is neither the only nor the best treatment for back pain. Dr. Richard Kendall talks with Dr. Tom Miller about treating back pain without medication. The two doctors discuss the benefits of exercise therapy, the stigma against it, and why seeing a physical therapi...

What you learned as a Scout on how to handle snakebites probably won’t come in handy and can even make the situation worse. Brad Dahl with the Utah Poison Control Center says once you’ve been bitten, those venom extraction kits won’t help much either. He’ll tell you what you should—and shouldn’t—do if a rattlesnake bites you.

Nitrous oxide—or laughing gas—is used widely around the world for labor pain relief. But the United States only has approximately 100 hospitals that make it available to women in labor. Certified Nurse Midwives Debra Penney and Michelle Collins discuss the benefits of using nitrous oxide and why more hospitals should include it as a labor pain relief choice. They also talk about nitrous oxide’s ot...

The ADA became law in 1990 to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With that spirit in mind, scientists, researchers and physicians use technology to create devices that expand that access further than anyone could have imagined 25 years ago. Dr. Richard Kendall from University of Utah Health Care talks about how the TRAILS program’s sip & puff kayaks, robot...

Not all fat is bad for you. Unlike white fat, which stores energy and unwanted pounds, brown fat dissipates that same energy into heat when we’re cold. Claudio Villanueva, Ph. D. assistant professor in biochemistry and investigator at the Center for Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Utah, talks about his research investigating how to convert white fat into good, brown fat. Doing so coul...

Would you let your three-year-old run around the yard waving a 2000-degree blowtorch? That’s how hot sparklers burn. Brad Wiggins from the University of Utah Burn Center says the injuries sparklers cause are real and can last a lifetime. Don’t underestimate the danger. Take a moment to find out the way most kids get hurt with sparklers—and with other fireworks—and what you should do to keep your c...

Thyroid nodules are common, and thyroid cancer is often curable—but when should you be concerned? Marcus Monroe, MD , head and neck cancer expert at University of Utah Health, explains what your thyroid does, which symptoms to watch for, and why screening might not always be the right choice. Learn what happens after a diagnosis—and why, for most people, life goes on.