The Scope

Not all bacteria are bad. Within each of us are over 1,000 species of good bacteria that live in our gut, skin, mouth, and other exposed surfaces that we could not survive without. June Round, PhD , Professor in Pathology at the University of Utah, explains how good bacteria that live in our bodies work with our immune system to protect us from diseases in ways you might have never imagined. She a...

The holidays can be stressful and bring down anyone’s mood temporarily. But how do you know when you’ve got Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and not just the Winter Blues? If your interest level drops, you prefer to be alone and you often pretend to be happy when you’re not, it might be SAD. Dr. Jason Hunziker from University of Utah Health describes the symptoms of SAD and explains why it happen...

Your energy level is down, you’re putting on weight, your mood is affected and your sex drive is decreased. You might have low testosterone. Ads for testosterone therapy flood the television and it looks pretty easy to get. Should you get it? Dr. Tom Miller from the University of Utah tells you the facts about testosterone treatments and why some men may need it. He also discusses the reasons it m...

You're approaching an intersection when you come across a terrible accident. While it may be your gut reaction to jump in and help, that may not be the best course of action. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses when to help, and when it may be best to stand back and let emergency personnel do their jobs.

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex 1 virus, which resides in nerves near the spinal column. These sores are painful and persistent, and once the virus infects the body, it never goes away. Tom Miller, MD , discusses triggers and causes of cold sores, as well as the importance of oral treatments during the prodromal stage to alleviate symptoms.

Nightmares are very common in kids. Seeing scary and unfamiliar images in movies or on TV can trigger bad dreams. Dr. Benjamin Chan talks about how you can help your child cope when things go bump in the night.

Surgical site infections are one of the most common complications of surgery. They can delay healing time, which means longer hospital stays, more doctor visits, and more time away from work. One of the best ways to prevent surgical site infections is good hand hygiene. Dr. Harriet Hopf discusses how hospitals are working hard to prevent infections from starting, and how patients can do thier part...

Every flu season brings the same questions: Does the vaccine really work? Can it cause the flu? What if my child has an egg allergy? The evidence strongly supports annual immunization for nearly all children over six months of age. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains vaccination options, common side effects, and safety concerns to help parents make confident decisions. Learn what flu vaccine...

Hand washing is one of the best ways to keep kids healthy, but getting them to do it—and do it right—can be a challenge. But with the right tricks, you can turn this daily task into something your child enjoys. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares creative ways to make hand washing fun, help kids kill the germs they cannot see, and build healthy habits that stick.

You see the ads on TV during sporting events, and athletes swear by them. Do sports drinks make a difference? Dr. Troy Madsen has the facts and tackles some hydration myths like drinking pickle juice on game day.

Bedtime battles are common, but a consistent sleep routine can make a world of difference. From infants to teenagers, children thrive on structure, and getting enough rest is key to their focus, mood, and academic success. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about why sleep schedules matter, how to handle common bedtime struggles, and when to seek medical advice for your child's sleep issues.

You've heard the old wives tales about what you should and shouldn't do while pregnant. But can you separate fact from fiction? OB-GYN Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones weighs in on the truth behind some well-known pregnancy myths.

It's Halloween, so you theoretically could land in the ER for a vampire bite, right? All joking aside, dozens of people each year land in the ER for bit marks. Dr. Troy Madsen discusses treatment options. Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the different types of bites that come through the ER, from dogs and bats, and how to avoid being bitten this Halloween.

You might think dry eye disease is a result of simply having a lack of tears. The condition is actually an inflammatory disease. Dr. Majid Moshirfar explains the causes of dry eye disease —and what you can do to treat it. Dr. Maji Moshirfar from the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center tells us why fall is dry eye season, what causes it, and how to cure the disease.

Osteoporosis and other bone conditions can mean the difference between living independently and needing full-time assistance as we age. Women's health expert, Kirtly Jones, MD , weighs in on what constitutes good bone health—and how you can help ensure your bones stay strong as you age.

Dr. Kirtly Jones of the University of Utah talks about why 50 is the best age to get your first mammogram.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease of the brain that causes loss of nerve cells, and as a result, patients first develop difficulty with memory. Dr. Norman Foster , director of the Center for Alzheimer Care, Imaging, and Research at University of Utah, talks about the characteristics of Alzheimer's and its effects on the brain.

Whether it's from an accidental fall or a head-cracking tackle on the sports field, concussions can be a common result. Learn about the symptoms of a concussion from ER doctor Troy Madsen, MD, and when you should visit the emergency room.

If you end up with a tick on you, what should you do? Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the diseases, the concerns and how to remove it yourself.

Is your child telling tall tales? Before you panic, consider this: lying is actually part of normal developmental growth. Child psychologist Matthew Woolley, PhD , breaks down the cognitive progression behind why children lie. He also offers practical tips and strategies to guide parents through these challenging, yet entirely normal, episodes of untruths in childhood. Learn how to respond effecti...

Should you go to the ER if you have a really bad toothache? Find out in this episode of ER or Not with emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen from the University of Utah Hospital.

If you've ever been in a hospital emergency department, you know how busy and even chaotic they can appear. Dr. Troy Madsen, emergency department doctor from the University of Utah Hospital, tells you how an ER works, who the people are and what they do.

You step on a rusty nail, should you go to the ER? Emergency Department doctor Troy Madsen tells you on this episode of ER or Not.

Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the realities of CPR: does it work as well in real life as it does on TV, why do you give CPR and how giving CPR has changed in the past few years.

From alcohol poisoning to rushing the field at football games, emergency room physician Troy Madsen, MD , discusses the top eight reasons he sees college students come into the ER.