The Scope

Talking to aging parents about advance directives might feel uncomfortable, but it is an essential step to ensure their wishes are honored during unexpected medical situations. Anna Beck, MD , from Huntsman Cancer Institute, shares why this conversation is critical after age 65, how to approach it with compassion, and tips to overcome resistance. From understanding the role of a surrogate to focus...

Did you forget to do the most important thing for your advance directive? Dr. Anna Beck from Huntsman Cancer Institute tells you what an advance directive actually is, and the most important thing to consider when making one. She also talks about how to bring the sensitive topic up to your family.

An abnormal screening mammogram can feel alarming—but most callbacks are not cancer and are simply part of getting a clearer picture. Knowing what happens after a recall, why additional imaging is common, and when biopsies are recommended can help reduce fear and uncertainty. Tom Miller, MD , talks with Nicole Winkler, MD , about what an abnormal mammogram result really means and why follow-up tes...

Cesareans account for 33 percent of U.S. births, an increasingly high number compared to the international 17 percent. Which is safer, cesarean birth or vaginal birth? Dr. Kirtly Jones answers this question and tells you the pros and cons of having a c-section. Plus, you’ll be surprised to find out the dollar amount that goes into U.S. health care for the c-sections that could have been a natural...

As regretful spring breakers are recovering from binge drinking escapades, it may be hard for them to appreciate that there is a positive side to the nausea, sleepiness, and stumbling. Dr. Sharif Taha, a professor of neurobiology and anatomy, discusses his work showing that there is a certain brain region involved in learning from a bad hangover experience. The work could one day help identify tho...

Until recently, physicians thought a colonoscopy was 100 percent accurate. New research from the University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute shows it is not. Dr. N. Jewel Samadder talks about what the research discovered and what doctors and patients need to know to get the best result possible.

You think broke your arm. Is that a reason to go to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about what to do if your arm is broken or you think it might be broken.

Without treatment, Hepatitis C can lead to liver failure and death. If you are a baby boomer born between 1945-1965, there is a significant possibility you have the disease. Dr. Robin Kim talks about Hep C, why all boomers should get tested as soon as possible, and about two new recently developed drugs that are very effective at treating Hepatitis C.

Is your child ignoring you, or do they have a real hearing problem? Hearing loss in kids can be subtle, often mistaken for inattention or learning difficulties. ENT specialist Jeremy Meier, MD , explains the warning signs parents should watch for, the biggest threats to children's hearing, and how to prevent long-term damage.

All the chemicals are out of the children’s reach and your pills secured in a locked medicine cabinet. You think you’ve poison-proofed the house, but there’s still something you may have overlooked. Marty Malheiro from the Utah Poison Control Center tells you the top three reasons people call poison control, and the number one reason might surprise you.

The little bits of dirt that you breath into your body could affect your baby. Even though your lungs filters out dirt, and the placenta filters out all the other bad stuff, air pollution can still get to your baby. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discusses air pollution and its effects on pregnancy and your unborn baby. She also talks about what pregnant women should be avoiding in order to prevent the e...

We all love the feeling of the sun on our skin and maybe even a little bit of that golden tan. But then we’re reminded that somebody dies every hour in the U.S. from skin cancer. Most skin cancer cases are completely avoidable. Dr. Glen Bowen from Huntsman Cancer Institute talks about why he believes skin cancer is an epidemic problem. He’ll also talk about how to balance the desire to be out in t...

The common and obvious assumption when you see red in the urine is that it’s blood, and it’s bad. A variety of reasons can cause blood in the urine, but the first question to ask is 'is it really blood?' Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Blake Hamilton discusses what you should do if you notice the color of your urine changing from clear or yellow to red, and you’ll be surprise to find out that red urine can...

Do mammograms happen at 30, 35, 40, 45? There can be a lot of confusing information about mammograms out there, including when women should be scheduling their first one, and how often mammograms should happen. From Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs, Idaho, director of medical imaging Marjean Barnett addresses some of the confusion surrounding mammograms, and tells you why getting one too early migh...

A nurse’s job can vary greatly depending on the size of the hospital where they work. Chief Nursing Officer at Teton Valley Hospital, Angela Booker, has worked at large and small hospitals. She talks about the job and lifestyle differences between the two. She also shares why she’s excited about the recent formal agreement with University of Utah Health Care and how it will help her patients in Dr...

Your upbringing is not the only thing that influences your demeanor. Dr. Christopher Gregg, a professor in neurobiology and anatomy, is researching patterns of inheritance that have long term effects on behavior. His surprising research findings may lead to new approaches for determining the causes of mental disorders and how to treat them.

What happens when someone comes into the ER high or overdosing? Will the patient be prosecuted? Will people accompanying the patient get into trouble for allowing the situation to happen? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen answers these questions and discuss whether or not the hospital will pursuit legal actions for drug overdosing cases. He also talks about the difference between calling 91...

We often associate healthy babies with chubby babies. But obesity is becoming more and more of a problem in children. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the risks of obesity in children and why it’s important for parents to intervene before the age of 5 if they don’t want their children to be obese adults. She also talks about the physical and psychological problems that can come with obesit...

Heating pads are big burn-risks to the elderly and geriatric populations. Brad Wiggins, nurse manager at University of Utah Health Burn Center, talks about why these two populations, specifically, are most susceptible to second-degree burns, the types of injuries he has seen from heating pads, and their treatments.

In today’s world of advanced medical technology, do doctors still need stethoscopes or are they just for show? Dr. Bates from Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, ID, talks about this iconic diagnostic tool still found around many physician’s necks. Learn about the stethoscope, what your doctor is listening for, what those sounds mean, and why it’s still a useful tool.

Raynaud's Syndrome is a condition affecting approximately eight percent of the population. Symptoms include color changes in the hands when exposed to cold or stress. Rheumatologist Tracy Frech, MD, provides insights into the syndrome's origins, differentiation between primary and secondary forms, and the potential severity of its complications.

Extreme cravings, headaches, fatigue, low energy, brain fog, gas, and bloating. Have you ever experienced a situation where you start eating healthier and instead of feeling better, you feel worse? Registered dietitian Staci McIntosh talks about the adjustment period and some of the symptoms you might be experiencing when first changing to a new diet. She also offers words of advice on how to keep...

You accidentally cut yourself. Do you need stitches or will a bandage work just fine? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen goes through some of the scenarios that would require you to visit the ER for stitches. He also talks about at-home alternatives for stitches when the cut isn’t severe enough for the emergency room.

It happens to every parent. They’re your biggest fans until one day you start getting the short one-word answers to every question you ask. You try and try, but can’t seem to get through to your child. Psychiatrist Dr. Matt Woolley talks about why the change in mood and attitude happens in kids and whether it’s normal or something parents should be concerned about. He also discusses ways you can r...

Pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough. It’s contagious and can be deadly, especially in infants. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the symptoms of whooping cough and tells parents how to distinguish it from a regular cough. She also talks about preventions and advises when kids should be getting the whooping cough vaccine.