The Scope

There’s one thing out there that can act as a better medicine than many of the drugs we have. It contributes to a high level of overall health and can help speed recovery from illnesses. What is it? Dr. Amy Powell shares the answer with Dr. Kirty Jones—it’s so simple that it might surprise you.

If you’re hesitant to check the organ donor box on your driver’s license because you’re unsure of the process, we’re here to clear it up. Dr. Jill Sweney talks about what it means to be an organ donor and what actually happens to your body after you die. She answers questions such as where your organs go and whether you can have an open-casket funeral. If you have any questions related to organ do...

Utah has some of the best health outcomes in the nation, but some of the lowest costs. Dr. Robin Marcus, chief wellness officer of University of Utah Health Care, talks about some reasons for this. She also discusses what can be done to further improve the health of residents and the ability of physicians to treat their patients in the most effective way possible.

Can children suffer from heart attacks? What does severe chest pain in kids mean? Dr. Collin Cowley is a pediatrician and cardiologist. He talks with Dr. Tom Miller about what commonly causes chest pains in kids and teenagers and when you should think about taking your child to the doctor.

Even when you’re feeling your best, it can be difficult to get motivated to exercise, but it’s much more difficult when you feel fatigued and depressed because of cancer. But research has shown that physical activity is very important, especially with cancer. Pamela Hansen is the medical director of the wellness survivorship center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. She has some tips for finding the mo...

Complementary and alternative medicines are all over lately: herbal supplements, massage, essential oils, and more. You might love how some of these therapies make you feel, but are they safe for your child? You might be surprised to learn that there are some risks. Dr. Cindy Gellner is an expert on this subject and talks about the ways you can safely apply these practices with your child.

Simple conversations can become an exercise in frustration when a loved one begins to lose hearing with age. Sarah Hargus Ferguson, PhD, associate professor of communications science and disorders, explains why certain sounds are harder to hear than others, and gives tips for communicating clearly with the hearing impaired. She also describes her research investigating acoustical characteristics t...

Are you worried about getting into PA school? Two students from the University of Utah’s physician assistant program dish on why they picked PA school over medical school, how to make the most of PA school, and some advice for getting into the competitive programs. If you’re considering applying for a physician assistant program, this podcast is for you!

Dr. Sean Mulvihill is CEO of the University of Utah Medical Group. He discusses the personal and human care nurses provide for patients and how integral that is for doctors.

Patricia Morton is the Dean of the University of Utah College of Nursing and she talks about why she decided to pursue nursing. She talks about what makes the nursing students and faculty stand out at the University of Utah.

David Entwistle, CEO of University of Utah hospitals and clinics talks about the impact nurses have made on his life and career. He discusses how nurses are the backbone of the university health care system and why they make the U so great.

Many Americans describe their marriages as lacking in sex for a number of reasons: kids, busy lives, etc. Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about the recent dialogue regarding sex and marriage—and how it differs from the first anniversary to the 50th anniversary. She talks about how a sexless marriage doesn’t always mean a failed marriage.

Representing 8 million people connected to over 23 million records - including vital statistics, medical records, and genealogical information - the Utah Population Database is the largest database of its kind in the U.S. Dr. Ken Smith, director of UPDB, explains how the database accelerates discovery of causes of genetic diseases and epidemiological phenomena, what makes the database unique, and...

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with chlamydia or are worried you might have it, you probably have a lot of questions racing through your mind. Dr. Kyle Jones explains the basic signs and symptoms and why it’s imperative to get your chlamydia treated as soon as possible.

The joy of discovering you’re pregnant can sometimes be overshadowed by the misery and discomfort of morning sickness. Dr. Howard Sharp, OB-GYN, and Dr. Tom Miller talk about new treatments to help pregnant women who suffer from severe and continuing nausea. They discuss the best ways to treat morning sickness and overcome the nausea.

Are you one of the many who has taken the “sugar-free challenge” to remove added sugar from your diet for 10 days? Health educator Ashley Quadros talks about the trend and what cutting out added sugar can do for your body. She gives some advice and tips for those who want to continue to have low-sugar diets. If you’re thinking about taking the sugar-free challenge, give this podcast a listen first...

Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over speech and language development for babies and toddlers. She talks about what to expect your baby to be saying depending on how old they are and what to do if they’re not being as vocal or responsive to sounds. She talks about speech problems that might be concerning—using actions such as pointing, but no words, imitating sounds but not using words, and so...

Though they sound very similar, there are big differences between the training and basic job duties of athletic trainers and personal trainers. Sports medicine specialist Dr. Amy Powell and Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discuss the differences and similarities between the two. Although their jobs differ, the focus of each is to help others be healthy, happy and safe.

Deep brain stimulation is a therapy that has been proven to decrease symptoms of movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease. It’s a therapy that some people are beginning to try—sometimes for other reasons—at home with batteries and adapters. While Dr. Paul House doesn’t endorse the DIY version, he says there is some research being done that may prove its efficacy. He warns about the risks and da...

If you suffer from pain in a certain area during exercise, it could be tendinitis (also called tendonitis) or something worse. Sports medicine orthopedic specialist Dr. David Petron talks about some misconceptions with tendinitis, including a lengthy list of long-term and short-term treatments.

There’s a lot to consider when buying a first-aid kit— should you get the bigger, more expensive one for your camping trip or do you really need all that stuff? Dr. AJ Wheeler is from St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming and a member of the Teton County Search and Rescue. He gives a step-by-step overview of what to look for in a first-aid kit in the store, including his insights into what...

Medical experts recommend pregnant women sleep on their side, but what if it makes you so uncomfortable you can’t even fall asleep? Is going to sleep in a different position really going to make a difference? Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Howard Sharp , OB/GYN, answer common questions pregnant women have regarding bedtime. Dr. Sharp also shares some tips for keeping your baby safe and getting a good nigh...

The U.S. ranks at the bottom of developed countries for infant mortality, obesity, heart disease and a number of other health issues. So can the United States turn those numbers around and become the healthiest country on earth? Dr. Kyle Bradford Jones says it will take a lot of work, but it’s doable. He says with certain changes to health care systems and lifestyles, Americans can be the healthie...

Problems with the jaw joint in front of your ears can have a host of effects: pain when chewing, headaches and more. Gary Lowder has over 30 years of experience treating this problem, called temporal mandibular disorder (TMD.) He talks about how to tell if the pain in your head or jaw is caused by TMD and some easy ways to treat it.

More and more research is emerging with evidence of the negative effects violent video games have on children. The most popular video games are also some of the most violent, and pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner speaks about the numerous effects they have on kids. If you notice behavioral problems and other issues with your child, video games with violence and other adult themes may be to blame. Lis...