The Scope Radio

Cold sores - they hurt and don't look so great. And once the virus infects you, it doesn't ever go away. Dr. Tom Miller talks about what causes cold sores, ways to prevent them, and treatments for helping them heal quickly.

Pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough. It’s contagious and can be deadly, especially in infants. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the symptoms of whooping cough and tells parents how to distinguish it from a regular cough. She also talks about preventions and advises when kids should be getting the whooping cough vaccine.

Physical abuse in relationships tends to get worse over time. Victims receiving a constant barrage of intimidation begin to believe they are at fault. Social worker Wendy James suggests that a friend can help restore the self-esteem necessary to confront the abuser. She also discusses how women can love a person while setting limits, seeking shelter and filing charges.

What are the important things to consider when a new doctor signs a contract? Lawyer Jim Haisley highlights the important points. From reading, understanding, agreeing, signing and even backing out, he takes you through everything you need to know before you sign a contract.

A study published in the journal Nature suggests there are mutations in over 1,000 genes that could contribute to development of autism. Hilary Coon, Ph.D., an author on the paper and research professor in psychiatry at the University of Utah, describes the research, the different ways that the multitude of genetic changes could lead to the disease, and what these findings mean for designing genetic tests for diagnosing autism. Learn more about the study.

We all have moments where we're so stressed we want to scream. Dr. Kirtly Jones demonstrates a simple technique to unwind and relax that really works! Share your strategies for de-stressing in the comments!

In Utah, 21 people die every month from prescription drug overdoses. Modern computer databases are capable of identifying multiple prescriptions from different doctors for the same patient, which may lead to a decrease in this problem. Peter Kreiner, Ph.D., talks about the advantages of monitoring prescriptions statewide in an effort to prevent overdoses.

There’s been an alarming uptick in deaths from prescription opioid overdoses in the past decade, but more recently there has been a slight drop in prescription drug-related deaths. Former drug enforcement officer Dr. John Coleman is optimistic that we are turning a corner when it comes to prescription drug abuse. He discusses how emphasis on a unified approach to the overall problem may prove effective.

Dr. Tom Miller worries that the information age has taken over the office visit. He says as doctors delve into computer records patients take a back seat. Chief Informatics Officer Dr. Mike Strong explains ways to bring the doctor-patient relationship back to center stage and “re-humanize” medical interaction.

A particularly serious condition for babies, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mimics the symptoms of a really bad cold. Especially dangerous for premature babies and children with existing lung or heart ailments, RSV generally requires special treatment. Dr. Cindy Gellner describes the virus, its symptoms, how they differ from the common cold and what actions to take if you suspect your baby has RSV.

New parabolic skis allow skiers to have more control on the slope, but the new shape may lead to injuries, even for experienced skiers. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Rothberg discusses training to prevent these types of injuries and the importance of posture on parablobic skis.

Sleep apnea, sleepwalking and sleep talking all have an impact on sleep quality for both the person suffering from the sleep disorder and the person they share a bed with. Dr. Kirtly Jones explores the realms of sleep comfort with neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Chris Jones. They discuss the importance of undisrupted sleep and how to approach talking to a bed partner who might be waking you up with their snores.

In a perfect world, researchers could mine patient data to view trends that might assist in studies and improve health care overall. Dr. Ross Koppel of the University of Pennsylvania wants to make that data available across health care systems, but says there are hurdles. He argues that the quality and usefulness of health information technology could be improved for the sake of patients and research.

Holiday meals bring with them lots of butter, cream, and extra helpings of dessert. But just because you’re trying to eat healthier doesn’t mean you need to miss out on your favorite foods this Thanksgiving. Dietitian Kary Woodruff shares some tips for slimming down your turkey dinner while still getting all the great tastes of comfort food you love.

Diabetic pregnancies bring a propensity of birth abnormalities. Getting blood glucose levels under control before hand is key to a successful outcome for diabetic expectant mothers. Dr. Kirtly Jones questions diabetic and high-risk pregnancy specialist Dr. Erin Clark about the importance of preparing to have a baby if you have diabetes.