The Scope

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...

Breast Cancer isn’t just a women’s issue – about 2,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year. Ginger Johnson, president of GetScreenedUtah.com, says it’s important for men to check themselves regularly, but to look for more than just lumps. She gives some helpful advice for a thorough self-check that both men and women can use.

Knowing your family history for prostate cancer can help you get appropriate screening according to Lisa Cannon-Albright at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is the senior author on a recent study that finds that cases of prostate cancer, even in distant second and third degree relatives, can increase your risk for the disease.

If you have a picky eater, you might worry that your child is anemic if they seem weak or pale. Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over the signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia and how to tell if your child really has that problem or not. She also discusses blood tests, treatment options and helping your child get the most out of their diet.

In a perfect world, everyone would receive the same quality of medical care. But in reality, many factors get in the way, including a patient’s ethnicity and cultural upbringing. Debra Penney, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Utah, conducted research to identify barriers that prevent Iraqi Muslim refugee women from receiving equal healthcare. She found problems...

If you’re thinking of applying to a physician assistant program, be prepared for a hefty application. Doris Dalton is the director of admissions for the University of Utah’s PA program. She offers sound advice for standing out on an application and planning ahead to finish it on time. A perfect podcast for anyone planning on applying for PA school.

Some people say they’re fine with less sleep – some people are sure that they can’t function on less than eight hours. Dr. Kyle Bradford Jones talks about what’s best for people of different ages. From young children to elderly adults, he talks about how to maximize your rest time and provides some recommendations for how you and your family can get a better night’s sleep.

What if your baby was born with some of its internal organs outside the body? You may not have heard of gastroschisis before, and therefore think it’s a rare condition. But rates of this birth defect have skyrocketed in recent decades, especially for young mothers. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks with gastroschisis researcher Dr. Marcia Feldkamp about this shocking and scary birth defect, its recent...

Winter driving problems do not always happen on the road—sometimes they happen while you are stuck. Family physician Kyle Bradford Jones, MD , breaks down five practical items that can make a big difference if your car breaks down or gets trapped in snow. From staying visible to staying warm, these simple additions to your trunk can help keep you safer and more comfortable when winter does not go...

Ever had a very large, inflamed insect bite and freaked out? Tom Miller, MD , talks to Mark Eliason, MD , about the body’s defenses when it comes to bug bites, how you can treat most bites safely at home, and when you should seek treatment from a physician.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing more deaths in women than all cancers combined. Heart disease used to be a men’s issue, but in the last few decades, women have caught up and surpassed men in deaths from heart disease. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about the reasons women suffer from heart disease and how to best prevent it.

If you’re in the backcountry and you or someone in your party is injured, you might hesitate to call search and rescue. Dr. AJ Wheeler at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson Hole, Wyo., is also the medical director of the Teton County (Wyoming) Search and Rescue operations. As a doctor and search-and-rescue member, he gives his perspective on when it’s a good idea to call for help.

If you find yourself gasping for air while exercising, you could be out of shape… or it could be a sign of something more serious. Dyspnea is what’s known as shortness of breath. Dr. John Ryan , director of the new dyspnea clinic at University of Utah Health, talks about why a wide variety of people are affected and when to see a doctor about the condition.

If you get itchy bumps on your skin, it’s usually because of bug bites or allergies. But some people get hives spontaneously and aren’t sure what’s causing them. Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Mark Eliason , a dermatologist, talk about hives and why we get them. Dr. Eliason describes how to treat minor hives at home, when to see doctor about them, and when you should run to the ER because of hives.

For the 35 million people worldwide who are living with AIDS, antiretroviral therapies are lifesaving medicines that can slow or halt the disease. But in some developing countries where these drugs are most needed, culture can impact the effectiveness of treatment. Lou Barrows, Ph. D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Utah is investigating interactions between commonly...