The Scope Radio

Binge Eating Disorder is a disruptive condition characterized by repeated binge/purge cycles. Psychiatrist Jason Hunziker explains why the condition and other eating disorders may be a symptom of a deeper underlying mental disorder. Prompt, effective treatment of the mental disorder can help to avert long-term physical problems often associated with obesity.

Diabetes has become a national epidemic, and in Utah alone it is expected that one in three will have diabetes by the year 2050. As new chief of endocrinology and co-director of the new Center for Diabetes and Metabolism, Dr. Simon Fisher will be leading an initiative to tackle this problem, including re-envisioning diabetes care and prevention.

Studies show that more people suffer from allergies now than ever before. Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Kevin Wilson talks about what causes allergic reactions and why different people are allergic to different things. He discusses the gamut of allergic reactions, from a runny nose to asthma-inducing allergies. He also talks treatment options and how they can lead to a more productive life.

One of the first steps to recovery following abdominal surgery is to get your digestive tract working again. But sometimes that presents a challenge. Listen in as surgeon Jeffery Campsen explains the steps to take for moving your digestive tract out of hibernation and back to healthy function.

Clinical trials for a breakthrough treatment for advanced liver disease are under way at the University of Utah. Liver expert Dr. Juan Gallegos reveals what this promising new therapy offers patients facing acute liver failure. As part of a worldwide study, this trial therapy is now available in the Intermountain region.

You’re playing softball and get a line drive straight to the forehead. You might have a concussion and may need to go to the ER, but don’t know how to tell if you really need emergency help. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses head injuries and how to know whether you should make a trip to the emergency room.

One of the challenges for young adults with autism is the lack of ability to socialize and engage in activities. Dr. David Viskochil may have found a solution: a book club for adults with autism. He discusses the benefits of engaging in groups such as this and gives some tips for those interested in setting up their own book clubs.

Hepatitis C can be present in your system and persist undetected for decades with no symptoms – and baby boomers may be most at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has new testing recommendations for the Hepatitis C virus. Dr. Tom Miller chats with liver specialist Dr. Juan Gallegos about the new guidelines.

Some of the most potent and poisonous substances can be found in grandma’s pillbox. Dr. Tom Martin, medical director at the Utah Poison Control Center, offers advice on keeping heart medications out of the wrong hands. He gives advice on what to do if you suspect your child may have swallowed the medications.

Innovation expert Chris Trimble talks about how major medical breakthroughs in the past few decades have led to higher insurance premiums. He gives his take on how hospitals could lower costs for patients and offers tips for families and individuals who want to make fewer payments.

Former Miss Utah and medical student Kara Arnold interviews fourth-year medical student Bob Chestnut about the steps to becoming the doctor you’ve always wanted to be. She asks which qualities are most important in a residency candidate and how med students can develop those qualities. They talk about what doctors and med school professors think is even more important than clinical knowledge and how to make the most of your time in medical school.

Federal funding for research and development has shrunk by 20% over the past three years, and biomedical researchers are feeling the strain. Wesley Sundquist, Ph.D., National Academies of Sciences member and professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, describes how the cuts are impacting scientists, their work, and the U.S.’s status as a world leader in biomedical research and innovation.

Anesthesiologist Dr. Harriet Hoff interviews Dr. Gretchen Case about medical humanities. Dr. Case talks about the many layers and barriers in the physician-patient relationship and why it is important to educate medical students and practicing physicians alike on interviewing and meeting with patients. She gives some tips for physicians to improve that relationship and make sure the patient and physician understand each other better.

Every woman is different, but many women wonder if certain things about them are “normal.” Are your height and weight normal? Is it normal to cry a lot? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones answers these questions and talks about what it means to be “normal.”

As the summer season approaches, the ER prepares for an increased workload. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about injuries common to this time of the year. He also talks about the importance of wearing helmets while biking and when an ankle injury warrants a visit to the ER.