The Health Minute

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.

The difference between a wrist sprain and a wrist fracture can mean a big difference in treatment. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Troy Madsen explains how to easily identify the difference and maybe save yourself a trip to the ER.

Kids get into everything. Dirt. Cosmetics. And on occasion, pain pills. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Jennifer Plumb talks about how to be prepared in the chance your child consumes something they shouldn't.

Even if you already have diabetes, it's not too late to make positive lifestyle changes that can impact your quality of life. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Steven Lofgran shares some positive changes that can come from controlling your diabetes.

If you have a hernia and it's causing you pain, you need to get it treated. Hernias will not go away on their own. Learn what treatment options are available from surgeon Dr. Rodney Barker in 60 seconds on this Health Minute.

It is very normal for your child to experience nightmares. But as a parent, you'll probably still want to make sure they're feeling okay. On today's Health Minute, child psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Chan talks about what parents can do to help their child cope with nightmares, and when nightmares might be a concerning issue.

There are plenty of creams and products on the market claiming to keep your face looking young and healthy, but do they really work? On today's Health Minute, dermatologist Dr. David Smart shares how you can keep your skin tight and youthful with a bit of prevention and some simple tips to add to your daily regimen.

You're not choking, but you accidentally swallowed something that's not food. On this Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen tells you which things will probably pass, which are concerning if swallowed and when you need to get to the ER.

Psoriasis affects about two percent of all Americans. It causes pink raised patches of skin with silvery scaling, typically on the elbows. On today's Health Minute, dermatologist Dr. David Smart explains psoriasis and how it can actually be a signifier of issues elsewhere in the body.

The flu shot does more than prevent you from getting the flu—which is no fun at all—it also protects others from getting the virus. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Julie Day lists three reasons you should get the flu shot before winter.

You've been exercising more and eating healthier. For the first month or so you saw great results, but now it seems your body is stuck and you've reached a weight loss plateau. On today's Health Minute, registered dietitian, Theresa Dvorak explains ways you can shake up your diet and workout program to get your results back on track.

Emergency rooms and clinics sometimes use glue rather than stitches for smaller lacerations. On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen share one of his favorite health hacks: using super glue to save a trip to the ER.

Vitamin D is important. It helps absorb calcium for strong bones and has been shown to have positive effects on the heart and microbiome. But is taking vitamin D supplements actually effective? On this Health Minute, Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses what you should look for in a vitamin D supplement and whether or not you should be taking one at all.

Genetic testing is a tool that can let you know about diseases or cancer risks that may run in your family. On today's Health Minute, genetic counselor Dr. Wendy Kohlmann explains how genetic testing can let you know whether one of your inherited genes is functioning correctly or not.

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that causes redness, itching, and unsightly bumps on the face. Without early treatment, rosacea can get worse, so it's best to take action when detected. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Tom Miller explains who is likely to develop rosacea, and its early signs and symptoms.

It is not too soon to get your flu shot. In fact, according to Dr. Julie Day, the earlier you can get your flu shot, the better. On today's Health Minute, find out how the flu shot works and three important reasons to get your shot as soon as possible.

Managing a child's angry temper tantrums often requires parents to have an easy-to-understand system to communicate. On today's Health Minute, child psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Chan explains how the Traffic Light system of green, yellow, and red behaviors can help parents control undesirable tantrums.

When a child gets sick and throws up, it can cause great concern for parents. On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains the warning signs of vomiting in a child that may require emergency medical attention. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

How can you be the type of person who can more easily overcome adversity? You may need to focus on improving your resiliency. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Amy Locke explains what exactly the concept of ‘resiliency' is and a few ways you can work on it so that you can more easily bounce back when things in your life get stressful.

Prescription medicines can be expensive. But there are some things you can do to stretch your dollar and get the best deal. On this Health Minute, Dr. Erin Fox, PharmD at University of Utah and Director of Drug Information Services, gives three tips to reduce prescription drug costs.

According to pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner, 25-40 percent of children will experience growing pains during big growth spurts as they develop. On today's Health Minute, find out what is actually causing your chid's growing pains and some simple ways you can help relieve the symptoms. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

There seems to be so many things you're not supposed to do during pregnancy: Don't eat shellfish. Don't get a manicure. No rollercoasters. But what about exercise? On this Health Minute, perinatologist Dr. Amy Sullivan insists pregnancy shouldn't slow you down and discusses the benefits of exercise during pregnancy.

If you ever find yourself with someone who has drunk so much alcohol they are not responding, what should you do? On today's Health Minute, emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how extreme drinking can be life-threatening.

New Years' resolutions to be healthier are hard to keep, but there are a few simple lifestyle habits that can really make a difference. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Tom Miller lists five things that will immediately improve your health.

Over-the-counter sleep aids may seem like a simple solution if you're having trouble sleeping, but for older adults, sleep aids can be dangerous. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Natalie Sanders warns of the potential dangers of sleep aids for elders.

Dry eye is an irritating problem that seems to get worse when the weather changes. But the primary cause of itchy, red eyes is looking at electronic screens. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Jeff Pettey explains the causes of dry eyes and the best method to treat it.

Recent research has shown that having a strong mind can help patients overcome pain pill addiction. On this Health Minute, Dr. Eric L. Garland explains how building up mental strength and practicing mindfulness can be a powerful tool to overcoming addiction. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

Playtime is critical for children's development and a lot of different kinds are required to foster critical life skills. How can you as a parent encourage imaginative play? On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares some tips you can use to limit screen time and help your kids get the most out of their play time.

If you have abdominal pain immediately after eating, it might be an ulcer. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Tom Miller explains the most common causes for ulcers and how they can be prevented and treated.

Hernias are a common condition and can form in anyone regardless of age or gender. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Rodney Barker talks about how to identify whether or not you have the condition and how to best treat hernias. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

Some prescribed or over-the-counter medications can impair you as a driver. You may not realize you're sleep deprived or that your reaction time is slowed. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Scott Youngquist identifies some of the common medications that can make driving dangerous.

Because of the change in lifestyle, sometimes young adults stop taking medications when they leave for college. On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen advises parents on what to do when sending kids off to college if they have a chronic condition that needs ongoing care.

Clinical trials provide benefits to cancer patients beyond testing new drugs. On today's Health Minute, Theresa Werner, medical director of clinical trials at Huntsman Cancer Institute talks about some other ways clinical trials are used for cancer research and how patients can get involved.

Few public health practices have improved human health and lifespan as much as childhood vaccinations. On today's Health Minute, family and preventative medicine physician Dr. David Owen gives a brief perspective on the importance of immunizations.

When a child starts throwing up or has diarrhea from a stomach bug, it can make parents nervous. On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what to normally expect when a child catches a stomach bug, how best to treat the child, and what symptoms to look for that are not normal that may require an urgent visit to a physician.

If you or a loved one is in a poisoning emergency, don't search online for answers—call poison control immediately! Dr. Barbara Crouch, director of the Utah Poison Control Center, shares why poison information online not only takes longer but could actually provide you bad or potentially life-threatening advice. Skip the Internet. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222.

Sugary drinks can be a real detriment to your health. Not only might you gain a few extra pounds around the waistline, but your risk of getting heart disease and diabetes goes up as well. On today's Health Minute, dietitian Julie Metos goes through the health benefits you can reap by swapping sugary drinks for water.

Almost 30 million Americans suffer from some kind of eating disorder. Similar to an addiction, recovering from an eating disorder can be very challenging and relapses are likely without a treatment plan. On today's Health Minute, kinesiologist Dr. Nick Galli gives practical advice for preventing an eating disorder relapse. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

Diverticulitis is a digestive disease that develops when pouches in the wall of the large intestine become inflamed. It can be painful on the lower left side of the abdomen. On today's Health Minute, Dr. Tom Miller explains how diverticulitis is diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to avoid the disease.

Each year, more than 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. But it's the easiest gynecological cancer to prevent—if caught early. On today's Health Minute, OB/GYN Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explains why getting a pap smear regularly can help with early detection of cervical cancer.

Meningitis is a neurological infection that can spread rapidly and has been on the rise on college campuses. On today's Health Minute, family and preventative medicine physician Dr. David Owen explain why meningitis is so dangerous and why it's worth it for college students to get themselves vaccinated.

For aging adults, hip or knee pain can make day-to-day physical activities painful and difficult. On today's Health Minute, orthopedist Dr. Chris Peters explains why, after a process of standard treatments and pain medications, getting a hip or knee replacement done sooner rather than later is best.

When children catch a stomach bug, vomiting is normal and it shouldn't last more than 24 hours. On today's Health Minute, pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why you should not force children to eat after they've vomited, and gives tips for keeping your child hydrated.

If you live in an area that is at risk of a natural disaster, what should you stock in your disaster preparedness first aid kit? On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Scott Youngquist talks about why a simple first aid kit may be more than enough in case of an emergency.

Diet and exercise can actually help reduce a person's risk of cancer, says Dr. John Sweetenham with the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Find out why this is and some quick diet and exercise tips that you can do to reduce your cancer risk on the Health Minute. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

With warm weather on the horizon and lawns growing again, it's time to take a minute to discuss lawn mower safety. On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the most common lawn mower injuries and how to prevent them. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interview.

Sometimes sleeping with contact lens—or not cleaning them properly—can result in an eye infection. On this Health Minute, Ophthalmologist Dr. Amy Lin talks about infections from contact lens misuse, the symptoms of eye infections and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy.

Roughly 50 percent of new mothers suffer from some level of postpartum depression, and many don't seek help. On today's Health Minute, certified nurse midwife Marie Horn advises the "triple threat" method for coping with postpartum depression.

Trouble falling asleep at night is a problem affecting many Americans. On this Health Minute, neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Chris Jones has three tips to help you get a better night's sleep.

Back-to-school wellness exams for your young scholar is important for several reasons. Family physician Dr. David Owen says an annual checkup helps ensure your child is up-to-date on vaccinations and developmental screenings. On today's Health Minute, learn several other reasons why it's a good idea to schedule a wellness exam before the school year starts again.

Dealing with a terminal illness is hard. Discussing end-of-life care is important to make sure you and your loved ones know exactly what is important with the time they have left. How do you start talking about end-of-life care and make sure wishes are met? On today's Health Minute, Dr. Anna Beck with Huntsman Cancer Institute shares three goals that should be discussed and how to start the difficult conversation. Learn more about this health topic in the full-length interviewer.