The Scope

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...

It’s hard to imagine anyone intentionally harming a child. When people think of child abuse, they often picture physical abuse, but as Dr. Cindy Gellner explains, child abuse includes much more than that. She talks about the forms of child abuse and what to do if you suspect a child you know is being abused in any manner.

How might your neighborhood pharmacy be different five or ten years from now? Dr. Mike Feehan, visiting professor in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah talks about how one day, you may be more likely to visit your local pharmacist for routine acute care than you would your doctor. He is conducting the largest survey of its kind to determine a new model for pharmacies that works best...

Perimenopause is the final stretch before you stop having periods altogether. For many women, it can be a frustrating time filled with hot flashes, heavy and unpredictable bleeding, and a lot of hormones. Even though perimenopause is different for every woman, Kirtly Jones, MD , talks about what you can expect before menstruation leaves your life forever.

When a parent suddenly can not remember your name—or seems lost in their own home—the emotional shock hits hard. Memory loss in older adults can stem from normal aging, reversible confusion, or more serious neurodegenerative conditions, and telling the difference is crucial. Kyle Bradford Jones, MD , breaks down early warning signs, what sudden confusion can mean, and how dementia changes a person...

Dr. Mariana Baserga is a neonatologist and takes care of some of the most vulnerable people on earth—premature babies. She talks with Dr. Tom Miller about just what her job entails and how she takes care of her tiny patients. There are many reasons premature babies end up in Dr. Baserga’s care. She discusses some of the ailments she commonly sees and how her team works together to make those babie...

Jaw popping is common, but not all popping is created equal. Some sounds are harmless, while others point to joint dysfunction that can worsen over time. Gary Lowder, DDS , breaks down what is happening inside the jaw, how to tell the difference between normal and concerning symptoms, and what simple steps you can take right away. Learn when to wait it out, when to modify your habits, and when it...

Geneticist Gabrielle Kardon, Ph. D., never thought that she would be explaining her research to patient advocacy groups, but that’s where her science led her and she has not shied away from it. Her work, published in Nature Genetics and highlighted in the New York Times , brought forth a new understanding behind the mechanisms of a common birth defect, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Since...

Babies get tested for many things right after they are born. The heel prick includes a test for phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare birth defect that causes a certain amino acid to build up in the body. Dr. Gellner talks about this disorder and what a PKU diagnosis means for you and your new baby.

Amyloidosis can affect so many different organs and affects everybody in a different way. Because of this, you really need to go to a clinic that specializes in amyloidosis and has all the physicians needed to treat the disease in order to get effective care. The University of Utah has one of these clinics. In this podcast, Dr. Jose Nativi, cardiovascular director of the amyloidosis clinic at the...

A young vibrant woman in the prime of her life, Amy Steinbrech suffered a stroke. Unable to walk, talk or even move her limbs, Amy’s remarkable recovery is testament to the possibilities inherent in the human spirit. Her emotionally uplifting interview that demonstrates the boundlessness of determination is worth a listen.

There is a lot of confusion about when to get a mammogram. Some groups say 40, some 50. Others say you should get a baseline at 40. Is it necessary? It sounds like a good idea, to have a picture of what things looked like so at 50 a doctor can determine if anything has changed. But is it really a good idea? What are the downsides or things you need to watch out for if your physician suggests a bas...

Your preschooler suddenly needs the bathroom every few minutes—but seems otherwise fine. While alarming for parents, this common phase is often harmless and linked to stress, routine changes, or bladder habits rather than disease. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why frequent urination happens in young children, how long it usually lasts, and what parents can do to help. Learn the warning...

Amy Steinbrech and Dr. Steven Edgley have both survived strokes at a young age. In this podcast, they discuss the recovery process, including the incredible job the brain does of “fixing” itself and the timeline of improvements patients can expect. The also discuss the frustrations many patients face and the importance of a support network, setting goals and self-recognition.

Dr. Jose Nativi is a cardiologist and director of the amyloidosis program at University of Utah Health Care and Huntsman Cancer Institute. He explains what amyloidosis is and why it’s so tricky to diagnose and treat. He gives great information and explanations about this disease and its different types and effects. If you or someone you know has amyloidosis, this is the podcast for you.