The Scope Radio

It’s that time of the month when your hormones are supposedly out of whack, everything annoys you, and it feels like a shark is attacking your abdominal area. As much as you don’t like it, you know menstrual cramps are normal. But what if it seems like this time is the worst out of all the other times? As much as 29 percent of women experience severe menstrual cramps that are bad enough for medical attention. Women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones tells you how to identity whether or not your menstrual cramps are normal or not.

If your child were to suffer a burn, would you know what to do? You may remember “stop, drop and roll,” but what do you do after the fire’s out? Can you treat the burn at home or will it require a trip to the emergency room? Annette Matherly with University of Utah Burn Center has the step-by-step instructions on what you should do to treat your child’s burn.

Advancements in physical therapy treatment methods and technology have led to quicker and more effective recovery. In fact, modern methods may have a patient learn to stand before they sit. Randy Carson, physical therapist at University of Utah Health, takes us through the history of physical therapy and what you can look forward to in the future.

Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Joy English, professor of orthopedics, who says a growth plate fracture is common among children and teens and may not always be visible on an X-ray. If your child feels pain from an accident even after an X-ray finds no bone fracture, Dr. English says you should seek additional advice. The two also discuss why growth plate fractures occur and why they are sometimes hard for physicians to see.

As a new parent, you’ve probably taken steps to baby-proof your home. Covers on the outlets. Locks on cabinets. But have you considered some of the less obvious burn dangers in your home? Annette Matherly with University of Utah Burn Center discusses the three top burn dangers in your home and how you can protect your new baby from them.

If your baby is cranky and can't sleep, should you try a different formula? Are colicky babies just hungry? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner challenges some myths around cranky babies with feeding issues and explains why gassiness isn't such a bad thing and why crying doesn't necessarily mean it's time for a feeding.

On this episode of From the Frontlines, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen speaks about the serious, potentially life-threatening risk of a spleen injury. If you or your young athlete has taken a hit to the abdomen and is feeling pain on the upper left side, you may want to get it looked at immediately. Dr. Madsen discusses how to identify a spleen injury and when you should go to the emergency room.

Whether you want a child, many children, or none at all, couples today have a spectrum of choices including everything from proactive, technical approaches to more natural methods of family planning. Women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with Dr. Joseph Stanford, a professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and president of Intermountain FertilityCare Services, who assists families with natural family planning and procreative methods. Learn how and why some couples might choose natural family planning approaches to help get pregnant, or to avoid pregnancy.

You’ve sprained your ankle. Maybe you twisted it during a run. Maybe you suffered a minor fall while skiing. It hurts and is swollen and needs some relief. Are you supposed to put it on ice or apply heat? Dr. Emily Harold, sports medicine physician at University of Utah Health, has the answer, as well as the step-by-step treatment you should use to heal your sprained ankle.

A jammed finger can be a common sports injury, and it's usually nothing to worry about. But, if pain in your finger lingers, you probably should have a physician check it out. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Nikolas Kazmers, a hand surgery specialist, who says fingers that are actually broken or dislocated are more easily treated early rather than later. Learn how to tell when your jammed finger may require a doctor's visit.

In science, you may never know where your research will take you, and the results might be a surprise. Wesley Sundquist, Ph.D knows this as well as anyone. Dr. Sundquist is a University of Utah Professor of Biochemistry, and his research on how viruses function may hold the key to a new “delivery system,” which could allow for the transfer of small molecules between cells. On this episode of The Science and Research Show, we’re discussing how the research and understanding of viruses could lead to the next generation of nanomedicine and gene therapy.

Newborns don’t come with a detailed instruction manual, which can leave parents terrified when their baby’s body does bizarre things. On this episode of Debunking Old Wives’ Tales, we cover five of the normal, yet strange, symptoms that your new bundle of joy may be experiencing. From excessive crying to spontaneous eye goop to all the alarming things that can happen with a belly button, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner has the answers.

On this episode of ER or Not, emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the serious, potentially fatal causes and complications that can arise when you or a loved one is having trouble breathing. Find out what your labored breathing may be a sign of and when you should call 911 immediately.

Mothers can face their toughest years in their mid 30s and 40s, especially if their children are teenagers. Women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says stress and depression can arise in middle-aged women when changing bodies, hormones and mental states are compounded by challenging teenagers. Learn what mothers can do to cope with these challenging midlife years.

It’s nearly the end of January. How’s that exercise or diet resolution going? Not so well? Don’t give up. Nick Galli, a health coach at University of Utah Health, discusses common difficulties you may face with major lifestyle changes and a few helpful tips to get your health goals back on track.