The Scope Radio

You got over a cold but still have a nagging cough. Is it something to worry about? Dr. Tom Miller answers this listener question and explains why viral infections can sometimes lead to long-lasting coughs. Find out what you can — or can't do — about it, and whether it's something to be concerned about.

Making sure your newborn gets enough nourishment in her first days and weeks can be a concern for breastfeeding mothers. If young babies aren't gaining enough weight or if mothers aren't producing enough milk, sometimes supplementing with formula is helpful. Dr. Kirsten Stoesser offers some clever tips to help new mothers supplement their breastfeeding with formula so their newborns get a healthy start.

End-of-life care is a difficult topic to discuss—not only for patients and loved ones but also for the physicians who treat them. It’s an important conversation for a doctor to have with their terminal patient, but how can you, as a physician, approach the topic without taking away hope? On this episode of Health Care Insider, Dr. Anna Beck, director of Huntsman Cancer Institute department of Supportive Oncology and Survivorship, discusses the best practices for having end-of-life care and how it can bring a sense of peace and closure to your patients.

Splinters can be painful and irritating, despite how small they can be. There are plenty of strategies to remove that bothersome embedded chunk under your skin but which one is the safest? Should you use a safety pin, tweezers or a pocket knife? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen describes the best way to remove a splinter at home and how to tell if a splinter is serious enough for emergency room care.

Looking to lose some weight? You’ve probably heard that eating five small meals a day is the secret. Or maybe it’s three large ones? What does the research suggest? On this Listener Question, Theresa Dvorak, registered dietitian at University of Utah Health, clears up the confusion about meal frequency.

Exercising during pregnancy is not only good for heart and respiratory health, good for controlling weight and flexibility, and good for helping women maintain strength, it also gives women significant psychological benefits. Yet, how much exercise should be individualized and when is exercise during pregnancy not recommended? Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with perinatologist Dr. Amy Sullivan about common questions pregnant women have about exercising while carrying.

When you think about physical therapy, you might imagine movement exercises. But that’s not the only treatment options available. Tamara Dangerfield, physical therapist at University of Utah Health, talks about the methods she uses to help treat her patients’ pain. From lasers to dry needling, she shares the tools in her tool belt to help get you moving again.

After suffering from a muscular injury such as carpal tunnel or a pinched nerve, your doctor might call for an electromyogram (EMG). The test uses needles and small shocks to test the signaling of your nerves and muscles. It may provide vital information for your diagnosis, but just how bad is it going to hurt? Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Daniel Cushman, sports medicine physician at University of Utah Health, dispels what you may have heard about EMGs and explains how the modern procedure isn’t as painful as some patients may think.

Your recently potty-trained child is fine holding it during the day but still wets the bed at night. Should you be concerned? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner answers this week’s listener question with everything you need to know about bedwetting in children.

Do your ears ring after a noisy concert or because of a loud work environment? Could it indicate something serious? Hear what emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says ear ringing can mean, whether it's something to worry about, and some actions you can take if you are concerned.

Treating cancer with chemotherapy has long been associated with imminent hair loss, but perhaps no longer. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says "scalp cooling" techniques have been found to reduce hair loss for many undergoing chemotherapy. Learn how the process works and how "cool caps" can be an option for those who wish to prevent alopecia—hair loss—that can result from chemotherapy.

We’ve all heard the claims of fad diets. Cut carbs and lose 20 pounds. Drink nothing but smoothies and drop a dress size. Eat like a Neanderthal and get in the best shape of your life. But are any of these fad diets actually healthy, or even safe, for you to be on? Kary Woodruff, registered dietitian at University of Utah Health, warns of the unhealthy red flags to look out for before starting a fad diet.

Medical clinical trials are about more than just testing medications, they provide valuable research that can lead to better treatment methods for beating cancer. Dr. Theresa Werner, medical director of the Clinical Trial Office at Huntsman Cancer Institute, talks about how medical trials are conducted, what they can offer patients and how you or a loved one can participate in groundbreaking research in new treatments. If you are interested in joining a study visit, Huntsman Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Office.

For a major operation like shoulder surgery, it’s not just the operation but what you do after that can make a big difference in the outcome. So, what can you expect with your recovery after surgery? Dr. Tom Miller talks to Dr. Robert Tashjian, orthopedic surgeon at University of Utah Health, talks about the recovery process after shoulder surgery and what steps you’ll be taking before you can get back to your normal routine.

Colorectal cancer is among the most common and deadly forms of cancer. But if detected early with a colonoscopy, the risk of getting colon cancer is reduced by 70 percent, making it one of the easiest forms of cancer to prevent. Yet, many people opt against one. Gastroenterologist Dr. Kathleen Boynton discusses five of the most common barriers keeping people from getting a potentially life-saving colonoscopy.