The Scope

The initial diagnosis brings with it a flurry of emotions: shock, fear, anger and helplessness. Dr. John Sweetenham from Huntsman Cancer Institute provides some answers for the questions whirling through your mind. He reminds us that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence – there are 70 million cancer survivors in the U.S. – and offers sound advice for new cancer patients and their families.

Have your salad fixings been in the fridge for a while? Registered dietitian Theresa Dvorak suggests when to eat them and when to throw them out. She offers some telltale signs of expired produce – but also advises that even when you think something has gone bad, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has.

Keeping older adults safe from falls does not have to require intense workouts or expensive equipment. Physical therapist Lee Dibble, PT, PhD , shares how simple, daily movements can build leg strength and improve balance. Learn how small increases can make a big impact over time, and how to encourage reluctant loved ones to get moving.

Many parents of vomiting children get concerned if it doesn’t stop after a day. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , says that doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to see the doctor. She goes over the signs and symptoms of the stomach bug versus the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses. She also discusses what to feed a puking child and how you can treat the bug from your home.

With so many sources of caffeine out there, it's easy to take in lots of caffeine in a hurry. Barbara Crouch, executive director Utah Poison Control Center, talks about the potential adverse effects of caffeine, focusing on the dangerous amounts found in energy drinks. She discusses who's vulnerable and who's most at risk for caffeine overdose.

Patients routinely choose between health care procedures without knowing how much they cost. At the same time, it would be unthinkable to shop for a car without being able to do a price comparison. Dr. Eric Scaife , pediatric surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital and associate professor at the University of Utah, took the unorthodox approach of telling patients the cost difference between two equ...

Cytomegalovirus is now the second most common virus, yet it remains largely misunderstood. CMV’s effect on fetal development can be catastrophic. Dr. Erin Clark, maternal-fetal medicine specialist explains what is known about the virus and how pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting CMV. University of Utah researchers are seeking women, early in pregnancy, to participate in clinical tr...

Getting free stuff from relatives or finding great deals at yard sales is exciting, but those previously owned items could hurt your children. Pediatrician Nathan Bexfield gives guidelines for using hand-me-down baby items. He provides insight on how to tell if an item is safe or a potential hazard, and which questions to ask the previous owner.

Vascular disease affects both arteries and veins, leading to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and even limb loss. While it develops over time, early detection can make all the difference. Benjamin Brooke, MD , explains how lifestyle changes, medications, and medical interventions can help improve circulation and prevent life-threatening complications. Learn what you can do now to ke...

Too much caffeine can do more than have your kids bouncing off the walls. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner provides some insight into how much caffeine children should be allowed to consume, the downsides of too much caffeine, and how to help your kids and teens to cut back.

Alzheimer’s, autism, Fragile X syndrome, and memory loss all have something in common. There is a protein in the cell, called Arc, which is thought to play an important role in all of these syndromes. Jason Shepherd, Ph. D., an assistant professor in Neurobiology and Anatomy, is investigating what Arc is telling us about connections between mechanisms of learning and memory, and the development of...

You can’t seem to grow your hair any longer and you're probably pulling out the hair you do have wondering why. Dr. Kirtly Jones busts some common myths about hair growth (or lack thereof) and reveals the scientific reasoning for why a woman's hair is so important to her. She also discusses concerns women may have regarding hair, growth, loss, damage, general health and beauty.

The University of Utah now performs pancreas transplants for qualified patients with type 1 diabetes. When other therapies have been exhausted, a pancreas transplant can eliminate the need for insulin pumps or injections. Transplant surgeon Dr. Jeffery Campsen explains the benefits of the procedure and which patients could be eligible.

People with more moles than average might have a hard time trying to keep track of changes during self-examinations for skin cancer. Doug Grossman, MD , from Huntsman Cancer Institute, introduces a technique called mole mapping to determine when anomalies on the skin might require surgery or when they can be safely left alone.

Cancer is generally thought of as an acquired disease resulting from an accumulation of genetic mutations that causes things to go terribly wrong. Huntsman Cancer investigator and University of Utah professor of oncology, Joshua Schiffman, MD, is on a mission to let physicians and patients know that in the case of childhood cancers, there is a good chance that some are inherited. Knowing this info...

When you get pregnant, you need to eat for two, right? Dr. Kirtly Jones says otherwise. She reveals the most recent findings and explains the guidelines for pregnant moms of all shape and sizes. Find out where (on the scale) you belong.

Some clothing and swimwear advertise their “UV protection” technology, but does this really work? Doug Grossman, MD , from Huntsman Cancer Institute talks about varying levels of protection you can adopt to reduce your risk of skin cancer, especially in Utah, where the high altitude intensifies the UV rays. Swimming with clothes on or mowing the lawn after sunset may appear extreme, but all that s...

Sedation is commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to make patients who require mechanical ventilation more comfortable, and less anxious. But sedation can have serious side effects, including delirium, that can endanger a patient’s life. Dr. Richard Barton , Director of Surgical Critical Care at University of Utah Health, and Nick Lonardo , Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, describe the haza...

Erica Lake, associate director of the Hope Fox Eccles Health Library, is excited about how a new, first-of-its-type kiosk is transforming a community. The Health Information Station, serving the Sugarhouse Health Center, is bringing the benefits of the information age to a diverse, multilingual community. A user-friendly interface may bridge the online gap for a less tech-savvy populous.

Researchers have overlooked differences in sex and gender for a long time. Jean Shipman, director of Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, says this criterion may determine funding for most future medical research. The 2014 info fair, “Women’s Health Sex and Gender Research Conference,” focuses on this issue, and the public is invited!

Recent evidence has revealed flaws in past research based on sex and gender. Jean Shipman, Director of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library talks about new research that looks at differences in sex and gender. From medicine dosages to surgical implements, sex and gender are being re-examined as important factors to be included in future medical research.

One of the biggest challenges with curing a disease is figuring out what causes it. Is ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, caused by genetics, environmental factors, or a combination of other things? Researchers are trying to solve that problem. Dr. Mark Bromberg , director of the ALS clinic at the University of Utah, provides an insightful look at the state of treatments and research for the...

When you look in the mirror, your reflection is essentially the same but everything is reversed. Published in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences University of Utah professor of biochemistry Dr. Michael Kay has discovered how to make mirror images of the proteins in our bodies. These small changes can have big impacts. He discusses how mirror image proteins, and even mi...

While ALS is a fairly rare disorder, it is devastating for those who contract it. Dr. Mark Bromberg is the director of the ALS clinic at the University of Utah. He goes over the symptoms of this disorder, which is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and talks about what you can do to support someone who might have it.

As many women are faced with the challenges of establishing a career path and finding a stable partner, starting a family is now happening later in life. OB/GYN Kirtly Jones, MD , talks about the trade-offs and risks of delaying pregnancy. She discusses modern technology, eggs, sperm, complications, considerations, and ramifications.