The Scope Radio

Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough. It is an extremely infectious bacteria that can lead to a violent, nasty cough that just will not seem to go away. Luckily, the DTaP vaccine has successfully eradicated most cases in children. However, according Dr. Tom Miller, as we get older, our immunity to the disease wanes and we can become susceptible in adulthood. Dr. Miller talks about pertussis, how you can catch it and how important it is to make sure you get your adult booster shots.

Under current guidelines, a systolic blood pressure reading between 140-150 is considered healthy. A national trial completed in late 2015, however, showed that reducing systolic blood pressure to around 120 can have significant benefits for the elderly, including a reduced chance of heart disease and a 32 percent drop in mortality rates. Dr. Mark Supiano, executive director of the University of Utah Center on Aging, joins The Scope to talk about the new guidelines and how patients can work with their doctor to lower their blood pressure.

Will eating carrots really improve your child's eyesight? Or will reading in a dim room ruin your eyesight? Dr. Cindy Gellner stops by to discuss the common eyesight myths everyone hears as a child.

Will eating carrots really improve your child's eyesight? Or will reading in a dim room ruin your eyesight? Dr. Cindy Gellner stops by to discuss the common eyesight myths everyone hears as a child.

Headaches, back pain and abdominal pains are some of the most common pains. While these may seem normal, there might be something more going on. Many people ignore these symptoms, but should they? Dr. Troy Madsen discusses when these "normal" pains can turn dangerous, and when to visit your doctor.

Headaches, back pain and abdominal pains are some of the most common pains. While these may seem normal, there might be something more going on. Many people ignore these symptoms, but should they? Dr. Troy Madsen discusses when these "normal" pains can turn dangerous, and when to visit your doctor.

First and foremost - do not panic. Do not get into a car and drive yourself to the hospital. Get to ground level and listen to your body. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us that women all over the world deliver babies outside of a hospital and goes through the basic steps to deliver your baby at home when getting to the hospital is just not an option.

First and foremost - do not panic. Do not get into a car and drive yourself to the hospital. Get to ground level and listen to your body. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us that women all over the world deliver babies outside of a hospital and goes through the basic steps to deliver your baby at home when getting to the hospital is just not an option.

Sciatica is a pain that originates from the back but shoots down the legs to the foot. It’s often described as an electrical sensation accompanied with sharp pain. Sciatica can affect patients of all ages and often comes on suddenly with no apparent trauma. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ryan Spiker talks about sciatica, how to identify it and when it’s time to go to a doctor for imaging.

Sciatica is a pain that originates from the back but shoots down the legs to the foot. It’s often described as an electrical sensation accompanied with sharp pain. Sciatica can affect patients of all ages and often comes on suddenly with no apparent trauma. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ryan Spiker talks about sciatica, how to identify it and when it’s time to go to a doctor for imaging.

Many people today are looking for ways to relieve stress, but don’t know how to do it. Unfortunately, many teenagers are turning to cutting as stress relief and as a way to feel again. Dr. Cindy Gellner shares why teenagers are cutting and where they can get help.

Many people today are looking for ways to relieve stress, but don’t know how to do it. Unfortunately, many teenagers are turning to cutting as stress relief and as a way to feel again. Dr. Cindy Gellner shares why teenagers are cutting and where they can get help.

You or somebody you know suddenly becomes confused. What does it mean? There are a number of things that could cause this confusion. But if there are other symptoms that appear with confusion, this can be quite serious. Dr. Troy Madsen shares with the Scope about what this confusion can mean. He also shares what to do if this confusion kicks in.

You or somebody you know suddenly becomes confused. What does it mean? There are a number of things that could cause this confusion. But if there are other symptoms that appear with confusion, this can be quite serious. Dr. Troy Madsen shares with the Scope about what this confusion can mean. He also shares what to do if this confusion kicks in.

Some women describe feeling extremely unbalanced and more prone to dropping things while pregnant, especially in the last trimester. Most women gain 30 pounds in front throughout the pregnancy, and Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones compares the weight gain to wearing a backpack on your waist. It’s going to be hard to balance. Dr. Jones talks about how weight gain, as well as other changes in the body, can make you a little clumsier during pregnancy.