The Scope

A woman's health is more than just her physical condition; it's actually more complicated than that. The seven domains of a woman’s health are important as an integration of her sense of wellness. Women's health expert Kirtly Parker Jones, MD , talks about women's health through the lens of physical, emotional, social, intellectual, financial, environmental, and spiritual health—the seven domains...

Atrial fibrillation and stroke, are they related and can it be treated? Dr. Tom Miller talks to Stroke Specialist Dr. Dana Dewitt about diagnosis, treatment options, new medicines, and whether aspirin is a viable treatment option.

The annual pelvic exam has been routinely performed on American women for decades. Controversy over the effectiveness vs. the “embarrassment factor” has recently taken center stage. Dr. Kirtly Jones re-examines the necessity of the procedure. She discusses who really needs a pelvic exam, how often and options for women that may choose to decline.

OBGYN Dr. Kirtly Jones reveals the alarming statistics that characterize the current state of maternal safety in the United States compared to other developed countries. Unplanned pregnancies, obesity, and income inequality all play a role. Dr. Jones talks about why we need to do a better job protecting our most vulnerable.

Advancements in the treatment of cataracts tailor the procedure to better fit individual patients. Dr. Craig Chaya from the Moran Eye Center talks about how these options can improve quality of life. He also gives some details about what promising technologies lie on the horizon.

Not every child responds to appendectomy in the same way. Through careful examination of practices once considered routine, Dr. David Skarda has been able to adjust some protocols to better-fit individual patients and standardize others to generate cost savings. This win-win model may be adopted for many procedures as hospitals strive to improve the value of care.

Sunscreens range in prices, but Dr. Doug Grossman from Huntsman Cancer Institute cautions against scrimping on sun protection products. Find out what products are best and why, as he compares sunblock products head-to-head.

A broken bone in the wilderness can quickly shift from a painful inconvenience to a serious emergency. Scott Youngquist, MD , from University of Utah Health's Emergency Department, explains how to manage fractures when definitive care is out of reach. Learn how to splint for comfort, minimize further injury, and make the right call when deciding whether to move or wait for help.

Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong neurological condition that once meant a grim prognosis—but not anymore. Tom Miller, MD , talks to neurologist Dana Dewitt, MD , about how early diagnosis, advanced imaging, and modern medications can slow progression and preserve quality of life. Learn about the treatments, what symptoms to watch for, and how specialized MS care helps patients live well and stay i...

Sunburns are not just uncomfortable—they are a sign of real skin damage that starts in childhood and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares how to prevent sunburns with proper sunscreen use, when to seek shade, and why babies and fair-skinned children need extra protection. If your child already has a burn, learn the safest, most effective ways...

Health care delivered in teams is better care, more efficient and makes for happier patients. But we can’t expect health professionals to work as teams if we don’t train them as teams, says the University of Utah’s new interprofessional education director, Rebecca Wilson, Ph. D.

Cancer is difficult enough to treat as it is, but when it become drug resistant, it becomes nearly impossible to stop. Trudy Oliver, Ph. D., an assistant professor of oncological sciences at the University of Utah, has devised an exciting approach to understanding and combatting drug resistance. She describes her work, progress, and hopes for the future.

While a tank and mask can make sleep apnea more manageable, the machine is still loud and difficult for some people to use. A new appliance may be able to solve this problem. Dr. Bryce Williams talk about how the device works and how users and their partners can benefit from it.

Researchers at the Moran Eye Center are exploring some promising new avenues in understanding the genetic causes of age-related macular degeneration. Chief resident Leah Owen describes her recently published study that incorporates collaborators from around the world, searching for answers to better combat this common affliction.

Just about anything an infant grabs hold of goes directly into his or her mouth. New theories on immune system development may help to explain this behavior. Dr. Kirtly Jones explores the rise in asthma and other allergic reactions and the possible correlation to life in the “ultra-clean world” of sanitizing wipes and sterilized binkies.

What would you do if you spotted someone at the bottom of a pool and a lifeguard wasn’t on duty? Learn the emergency procedures from ER doctor Scott Youngquist. He describes the dos and don’ts of getting someone to breathe again.

What happens to all that sugar when you drink a 64-ounce soda? Liver specialist Juan Gallegos, MD , tracks the consumption, absorption, and storage of sugar in our bodies. He talks about how our modern eating habits have become accustomed to the relative ease of food availability as our evolutionary metabolism struggles to cope.

An organ transplant can give patients a new lease on life, but the surgery and the processes surrounding it can be daunting. Transplant doctor Jeffery Campsen and staff discuss the transplant process: from the initial contact and selection to recovering from surgery and beyond.

Stroke is often sudden—but rarely without warning. Dana DeWitt, MD , a stroke specialist at University of Utah Health, talks with Tom Miller, MD , about the most common causes of stroke and the essential steps to prevent a second one. From silent heart rhythm disorders to unmanaged blood pressure and lifestyle-related risks, stroke rarely strikes without a root cause. The good news? Many of those...

Dementia with Lewy Bodies is the second most common form of neurodegenerative disorder. University of Utah Health Care provides one of only five clinics in the world specializing in this form of dementia. Dr. Rudolfo Savica explains this disease, which is much more common than one might think. He discusses different treatment methods, local resources for diagnosis and how to find them.

Using principles borrowed from population biology, Dr. Luca Brunelli, an associate professor in pediatrics at the University of Utah, has developed a rapid and inexpensive one-step method for isolating rare recombinants without using selectable markers. The work was published online in Nature Methods on July 13. Brunelli describes the method, its advantages, and its wide applicability, from creati...

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision impairment, but the good news is that they are treatable. Craig Chaya, MD , explains how cataracts affect vision, what factors contribute to their formation, and what you can do to protect your eyes. From UV exposure to certain medications and injuries, learn about the risks and how to maintain eye health as you age.

A combination of Hepatitis C and liver disease makes treatments, therapies and even transplants useless. However, a new combination of treatments before and after a transplant seems to have successfully treated the Hepatitis C, while giving the patient a healthy liver. Doctors Jeffery Campsen and Juan Gallegos-Orozco talk about their exciting new study and its expansion to clinical trials.

The Anticonconvulsant Drug Development program at the University of Utah has been instrumental in bringing an amazing 16 epilepsy drugs to the market. Director H. Steve White, Ph. D., describes the program, the reasons behind its success, new directions in epilepsy treatment. In a separate Scope interview, Dr. White describes his personal connection to the disease and how it has motivated his work...

Many women expect the baby weight to come off after delivery, but for some, the opposite happens. Kirtly Parker Jones, MD, explains why postpartum weight gain is so common, from sleep deprivation and stress to thyroid changes and lifestyle habits. She also shares practical strategies that can help new moms lose weight safely, improve their long-term health, and model healthy habits for their growi...