The Scope

When it comes to writing the personal statement on a physician assistant application, many people panic or shut down when they can’t think of what to write. Doris Dalton is the director of admissions for the University of Utah’s physician assistant program. She shares some insider tips and secrets (yes, they read the whole essay!) about essays and applications. She gives her top three tips for wri...

Between fat free, gluten free, organic, natural and whole grain foods, it can be difficult to discern what’s actually the healthiest. Health educator Ashley Quadros teaches us the most important things to look at when comparing foods for a healthy diet. She gives some great advice on what to watch out for when it comes to sneaky marketing for unhealthy foods. A podcast packed with healthy advice f...

There is emerging evidence that spirituality is healthy for you. People who participate regularly in religious or spiritual services or rituals have better immune systems and cope with stress better. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about religion and spirituality in the context of physical and mental health; she provides examples, benefits and personal experience with feeling good as a result of spi...

The new School of Dentistry is opening at the University of Utah, but it’s exciting for everyone, not just future dentists. Dr. Glen Hanson is a professor and the Interim Dean at the new School of Dentistry. He says oral health is an important component of overall health, and the new school is providing care to people who might not otherwise get it. There are also new clinics and research faciliti...

Many people self-diagnose restless leg syndrome, but it comes with a set of specific symptoms and is actually much less common than you’d think. Dr. Cindy Gellner gives us the facts on restless leg syndrome and what else could be behind your child’s twitchy legs. Find out what these symptoms are so you can figure out whether or not your child is suffering from this disorder.

If you experience excruciating pain when your time of the month rolls around, something could be up. Dr. Joseph Stanford explains the signs and symptoms of endometriosis and why it’s so important to see a doctor if you’re worried about your pain. “Any period pain that interferes with your life is not normal,” he says. Listen to learn more.

Although congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) isn’t uncommon, very little is known about this birth defect. Dr. Stephen J. Fenton is a pediatric surgeon and CDH expert. He talks about everything parents need to know and do after they receive a CDH diagnosis: form basics about the disorder to how much time to expect to be in and out of the hospital and finding support through family or other paren...

Josh Hensley had two children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a devastating birth defect. Although CDH isn’t uncommon, very little is known about it. He talks about the difficulty parents of CDH children have with finding support and even information from doctors about the defect. Josh speaks about Cherubs, an organization that offers support and help for parents and families dealing w...

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is not as well known as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis, but like them it is a life-threatening birth defect, and is just as common. Occurring in one in 3,000 births, CDH causes the guts and liver to protrude through a defective diaphragm and into the chest cavity, where they interfere with the lungs. A new study led by Gabrielle Kardon, Ph. D., associa...

Kidney stones are notoriously painful—and they are becoming more common, especially in women. Once thought to mainly affect middle-aged men, kidney stones now impact 1 in 12 women during their lifetime, often linked to diet, obesity, and diabetes. Kirtly Jones, MD , explains what causes stones, why women are at rising risk, and the steps you can take to lower your chances.

For children with autism, a trip to the dentist can feel overwhelming due to the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and sensations. James Bekker, DMD , from the University of Utah School of Dentistry shares tips on how to ease the dental experience for these children. From pre-visit communication with the dentist to sensory-friendly accommodations, Dr. Bekker covers key strategies that parents and dentist...

Whether you’ve just had a mastectomy or a lumpectomy, you might have some questions about what to expect after the surgery. Dr. Cindy Matsen is a breast cancer surgeon at Huntsman Cancer institute. She talks about what kinds of pain are normal and what’s not, and what to expect in terms of swelling, pain relievers and more.

Most household spiders don't pose much of a threat to humans, but some bigger spiders can have poisonous fangs. Dr. Tom Miller and dermatologist Dr. Mark Eliason discuss how to treat common spider bites and what to do if you get bit by one that's more dangerous. Find out how to react to bites from black widows, hobo spiders, brown recluse spiders, and those big hairy spiders that may be living in...

Josh Hensley had not only one, but two babies born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth defect where the gut and liver protrude into the chest cavity. He talks about the “cloud of uncertainty” that surrounds parents who just learned their child would be born with this devastating defect. Josh shares his story and gives advice and resources for support for parents that just learned o...

If you’ve had an ultrasound and found out your unborn baby has congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), you probably have a lot of questions. Dr. Stephen Fenton is a pediatric surgeon with University of Utah Health and a CDH expert. He answers some common questions about this scary birth defect that isn’t as rare as you might think. Listen to this podcast to find out what a CDH diagnosis means for y...

Genetically modified plants and livestock are already a controversial reality. But what about genetically modifying humans? The technology could potentially eradicate certain diseases that run in families such as inherited cancers or debilitating Huntington’s disease. Dana Carroll, distinguished professor of biochemistry, and pioneer in the field of genomic engineering, has joined a group of 18 sc...

Birth defects are more common than you might think: one in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Researcher Dr. Marcia Feldkamp says about 77 percent of birth defects have no known cause, but you still can take steps to decrease the risk of your baby having one. She discusses some of these options and talks about common birth defects—from minor issues like skin spots to major, scary defects such...

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to get your kid to stop scratching at his eczema but nothing’s worked? A short bath might help. Dr. Tom Miller discusses childhood eczema with dermatologist Dr. Mark Eliason, who gives some helpful information on the condition and the best ways to treat it at home.

Most teenagers do not get enough sleep as it is, and starting school before 8 a.m. can hurt their natural sleep cycles. Research shows they do better in school if they have later start times. Pediatrician  Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about why this is and how you can get involved to delay the start time of your teenager’s school day so she can be more alert in class.

The Intermountain West has some of the rates highest of suicide and depression in the U.S. Studies suggest that the statistics may result from changes in brain chemistry that occur when living at high altitude. Psychiatrist Dr. Perry Renshaw investigated whether dietary supplements can alleviate high altitude depression that is resistant to treatment by standard SSRI antidepressants. He discusses...

Most patients spend about two days in the hospital after a hip or knee replacement and begin walking the same day of surgery. Joint replacement specialist Chris Pelt, MD , explains what to expect at home, from early physical therapy to pain management, recovery milestones, and long-term outcomes. Learn about how to prepare for a smooth recovery after joint replacement.

There are many things you can do before a joint replacement surgery to make your recovery easier, from changing up your diet to moving things around in your home so it’s easier to get around. Joint replacement expert Dr. Chris Pelt talks about the best ways to “prehab” for a major knee or hip replacement surgery so you can get on the road to a speedy recovery as quickly and comfortably as possible...

Joint replacement surgeries are complicated procedures. While knee and hip replacements can help alleviate pain and improve function, there are some differences between the two procedures. Dr. Chris Pelt is a joint replacement specialist who will walk you through the similarities and differences between the two surgeries, such as recovery, dislocation and more. If you or someone you know is consid...

If you have chronic pain and other problems with a knee or hip, a complete replacement might sound like the only solution. But orthopedic specialist Dr. Chris Pelt discusses some more conservative measures to try first: compressors, injections, physical therapy, a simpler surgery; the list goes on. If you or someone you know is considering a joint replacement , check out our other podcasts with Dr...

Thinking about a hip or knee replacement, but unsure if it is the right next step? Joint replacement specialist Chris Pelt, MD , explains what these procedures are designed to treat and who may benefit most. Learn the health factors that affect candidacy, the role of imaging and conservative care, and the three major signs that pain may be interfering enough to justify a serious conversation about...