The Scope

If physical therapy or medications haven’t helped your chronic back pain, what do you try next? Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Richard Kendall talk about one option—an epidural injection. They discuss what’s in the injection, how it can help, and what to expect if you decide to get one for your back pain.

It’s been years—even decades— since puberty and your first period, so why do you still break out like a teenager? Dr. Kirtly Jones says although many people think it’s an issue for a dermatologist, it’s also a hormonal issue. She talks about the science behind hormone changes throughout your life and how that can affect your skin. She also gives some tips that can help clear up your skin.

In 1980, a landmark paper described restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), a method predateding high volume DNA sequencing, that could be used to identify disease-causing genes. Ray Gesteland, Ph. D., professor emeritus of human genetics at the University of Utah, remembers hearing about the technology from his colleagues as they were still working it out. He explains how the idea came a...

It can be horrifying to see your child’s face start to swell and realize they’re having an allergic reaction. If your child has severe allergies to certain insects, medications or food, you should have a prescription for injectable epinephrine. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks you through the signs of anaphylaxis and what to do if you think your child is in danger.

It can be hard to know if problems like vaginal itching or changes in your discharge are minor issues that will go away on their own, or if they are signs and symptoms of something more serious. Women's health expert Kirtly Parker Jones, MD , gives if/then scenarios for potential vaginal issues. Listen to find out if your problems require a doctor's visit or a simpler solution.

Thanks to large amounts of research, doctors and parents are getting better at identifying and working with children with autism. But it can be difficult to transition all that research into clinical and school settings. It’s a challenge Dr. Aubyn Stahmer has undertaken. In this podcast, she talks about some of the new findings and the difficulties and benefits of implementing coaching for parents...

Navigating social interactions can be challenging for those on the autism spectrum, leading to feelings of loneliness or fear of being disliked. Social worker Court Allred shares simple, practical strategies to help change these perceptions and build connections. Learn how small actions like smiling, making eye contact, and greeting people by name can make a big difference.

On TV shows like CSI , pathologists are the ones who do the autopsies. But Dr. Jerry Hussong is a clinical pathologist who says the job entails much more than that. He says most of the work pathologists do involves trying to figure out what diseases are affecting living patients. Dr. Tom Miller discusses the pathologist job description with Dr. Hussong, including testing and the amount of quality...

Grocery stores may not realize it, but they wield unparalleled insight into their customers’ eating habits. Each swipe of the loyalty card records food brought into the household, which makes up 60 to 70 percent of a person’s calories. John Hurdle, MD, PhD, professor of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Utah, has developed QualMART, a tool that translates bar codes into USDA-based dietar...

You just had your baby, so when your doctor asks you what kind of contraception you want to start using, you’re caught off guard and you’re not sure what to think. Pregnancy expert Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about how soon you can or should get pregnant after having a baby and some tips for spacing your children. She also talks options for post-partum contraception and having your tubes tied when you’...

How often do you perform breast self-exams? Jena Andrus and Karen O'Toole from Huntsman Cancer Institute talk about an app called Check Yourself. It’s a simple app that shows women how to do breast self-exams and also has built in monthly reminders. They discuss other options for preventing breast cancer and checking yourself regularly.

The most powerful weapon against a stroke are people that know what a stroke looks like and are willing to call 911 without hesitation. If you are that person, no need to read or listen to this podcast. But, if there’s even a slight chance you would hesitate for even a slight moment, you should take 5 minutes and listen. Dr. Jennifer Majersik is the director of the Stroke Center at University of U...

Cyclists are no strangers to neck and back pain—especially if they spend long hours at a desk and even longer miles on a bike. Tom Miller, MD, talks to Rich Kendall, DO , an avid cyclist and rehab specialist, about his go-to tips for reducing strain and improving posture. Learn what you can do before and after your ride to stay pain-free—and when persistent symptoms might mean it is time to see yo...

A child comes into the emergency room in with fever, coughing, and chest pain. What’s causing her illness? A new type of test promises to take the guesswork out of making an accurate diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment. Robert Schlaberg, MD, an assistant professor of pathology at the University of Utah and medical director at ARUP laboratories, describes the tool, Taxonomer , which class...

Have you ever wondered why women tend to outlive men? Turns out, there are a lot of variables and possible explanations for why the average woman will live five years longer the average man. Dr. Kirtly Jones explores some of the reasons behind this interesting phenomenon.

One of Dr. Jill Sweney’s jobs is to talk about organ donation to parents that have just lost a child. It’s tough, yet she does it because she has seen how organ donation can instantly change another child’s life. She talks about her experience, the benefits to the donor’s parents and the recipient, and why it’s important to know the donation wishes of all members of your family.

Dr. Tom Miller tells us why using antibiotics to prevent traveler’s diarrhea could cause bigger problems than the one you are trying to avoid. He also has a couple quick and easy things you can do that will help your stomach stay happy and healthy when you travel to developing countries.

Detecting a child’s mental disorder can be difficult because many of the behaviors can also occur as part of normal development. As a result, some parents are hesitant to seek help. To help you understand this confusing issue better, Dr. Cindy Gellner gives an overview of mental disorders children can suffer from, what causes them, what to look for and what to do about it.

Getting into physician assistant school is an impressive feat itself, but what’s it like once you’re in? We spoke to two students at the University of Utah Physician Assistant program about how tough PA school really is. They give some sound adbvce for staying focused on the coursework and the absolute importance of holding onto the things that matter to you, including staying active.

Menopause marks the end of significant reproduction of eggs and estrogen. But just because your body’s reproductive system is slowing down doesn’t mean you and your partner have to. Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about a few of the ways you can safely treat vaginal dryness and keep intimacy comfortable. Ladies—this podcast is for your ears only!

Amy Steinbrech suffered a stroke on New Year’s Eve of 2012. In this podcast, she interviews Stacey Turner, a physical therapist who worked with Amy to help her get back on her feet and in her skis. They talk about setting realistic goals for physical recovery and staying motivated to keep pushing.

If you’re prone to chronic headaches, it could be a jaw issue. Dr. Gary Lowder is a professor and practicing dentist at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. He talks about how tension in your jaw muscles and grinding your teeth can cause severe headaches and what a dentist can do to treat it.

Often, cleft lip can be detected through ultrasound, but families need to wait a few months before their babies can have the reparative surgery. Dr. Barbu Gociman is a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in cleft lip reconstruction. He talks about the spectrum of cleft lip and palate severity and the surgeries that might be required. Dr. Gociman shares some advice and resources for families wit...

Midwives offer longer, more personalized prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and culturally sensitive care—while still providing access to interventions like epidurals when desired. Certified nurse midwife Debra Penney discusses how this approach improves outcomes, lowers c-section rates, and keeps mothers more supported before, during, and after birth. Learn about the benefits of choosing...

If you’ve been told your baby will have complications when it’s born, you and your family might have a lot of questions and worry about what’s going to happen. Neonatologist Dr. Mariana Baserga and Dr. Tom Miller talk about how babies with complications are taken care of in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Dr. Baserga addresses some questions families might have about when they can see and...