The Scope Radio

Some common items in your home are germ magnets: remote controls, phones, makeup brushes. But can they actually make you sick? Which ones are actual concerns, and which are overreactions? On today's Health Minute, Dr. Kirtly Paker Jones gives the breakdown of five everyday germy items.

Sometimes contraception fails. For women who find themselves in a contraceptive emergency, emergency contraception might be a more reliable option than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Many of these options are available over the counter, but you can also order them online. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains what options are available and how you can get these medications online, delivered straight to your door, in the shortest time possible.

Personal care products are the No. 1 cause of poisonings in children under six years of age. Items such as cosmetics, perfumes, hand sanitizers and lotions can contain chemicals that are dangerous if consumed. On today's Health Minute, Barbara Crouch, director of the Utah Poison Control Center, identifies which products you should lock up to protect your young child.

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why it’s so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

The biggest health epidemic in the United States right now is pre-diabetes. Forty percent of Americans are per-diabetic and don't even know it. On today's Health Minute, diabetes expert Dr. Tim Graham explains per-diabetes and how you can work to prevent it.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that administers a shock that can help resuscitate a person during emergency CPR. On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen reviews the simple procedure for using an AED.

It’s a topic many U.S. citizens don’t think about—treating the psychological needs of refugees. The trauma that so many refugees suffer does not go away when they reach their new country. In fact, refugees are faced with many new traumas as they adjust to a new culture. Dr. Omar Reda, a refugee himself, is a psychiatrist specializing in treating refugee trauma. Dr. Reda shares his personal journey as a refugee, the unique traumas that refugees face and how to help ease these tensions.

For people with diabetes, monitoring blood sugar levels have gotten easier with technologies that can monitor in real time. On today's Health Minute, Michelle Litchman, a nurse practitioner with the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, explains how continuous glucose monitoring works.

Fidget spinners are a cheap and trendy new kids’ toy that claims to help with ADHD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. But pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner says there's no hard evidence these toys help kids to focus. Instead, Dr. Gellner says fidget spinners can actually be a distraction. Find out why, and get some ideas for effective alternatives if your child has behavioral challenges.

Cyberbullying can negatively impact the mental health and well-being of our children. With technology everywhere, how do we keep our kids safe? On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner share the signs to look for if you suspect your kid might be the victim of cyberbullying and steps you can take to keep him safe.

Fainting can be a scary event for everyone involved. According to emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen, 99% of the time, there are no serious health concerns. But if you're around when someone hits the floor, how should you respond? Learn the facts about fainting and what you can do when it happens.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses and usually don't require a trip to the doctor. However, University of Utah physician Dr. Tom Miller says if you have the symptoms of strep throat, that may be serious enough for a clinic visit. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Miller explains what strep throat warning symptoms to look for.

Some women entering sexual maturity may find themselves attracted to both men and women. The internal question becomes "Am I normal?" On this episode of The Scope, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones discusses sexual attraction and resources available to find a safe space.

Maybe your child took a hard spill while skiing or a direct hit during a game of football, but you find him with a tooth in his hand rather than his mouth. On today's Health Minute, dentist Dr. Hans Reinemer walks us through the steps to save that tooth.

Colorectal cancer is thought to be something you’d worry about as you got older, but younger patients are developing the condition. Dr. Andrew Gawron, a gastroenterologist at University of Utah Health, explains what this means for younger adults.