From the Front Lines: Recent Episodes
The Scope Radio, University of Utah Health
How can you tell if it's heartburn or a heart attack? What do you do if someone you love has a stoke? Dr. Troy Madsen, Emergency Department physician, answers these questions and more. He'll give you perspective and information to help you decide if it's really an emergency and what to do in those situations. From falls to the flu, Dr. Madsen will keep you informed about the common reasons why people end up in the ER so you can avoid a trip there yourself.
The holidays are here and you’re getting ready to hit the road for a well-deserved vacation—the one thing you should always remember to take with you is a first aid kit. Emergency room physician Troy Madsen, MD, says the majority of the items most people would include in their kits, he leaves out. Dr. Madsen goes through his top three first aid travel kit items and tells you why it’s important to never travel without them so that you won’t have to spend countless hours in the ER.
From alcohol poisoning to rushing the field at football games, emergency room physician Troy Madsen, MD, discusses the top eight reasons he sees college students come into the ER.
It’s a new year, and you may be thinking of some resolutions to better your health and wellness. But general, big-picture goals like “get fit” or “eat better” may seem overwhelming. Where do you even start? Why not start small? Dr. Troy Madsen, emergency room physician at University of Utah Health, has five simple, yet specific, things you can do today that will set you on the path to a healthier you.
During the holidays people sometimes ignore symptoms that could be serious for their health. University of Utah Health Care emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about three potentially risky symptoms commonly felt during the Holidays but that often get overlooked. Find out what they are and what you should do if you experience one of them.
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.
Should you go to the ER if you have a really bad toothache? Find out in this episode of ER or Not with emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen from the University of Utah Hospital.
If your child plays outdoor sports, it's important to make sure their body doesn't get too warm. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the difference between heat exhaustion verses heat stroke. Learn what heat stroke is, what it does, the symptoms, and what to do if your young athlete appears to have it.
During the summer months, heat exposure can be common. But could it be life-threatening? According to emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen, heatstroke is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to organ and brain damage. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heatstroke, prevent overheating, and determine when it’s time to call 911.
Rabies is a very serious virus. Once a person is infected, there is not much a doctor can do to treat it. If a dog, cat, bat, or other mammal you might suspect has rabies has bitten you, get to the doctor. The first dose of the vaccine should be administered within the first 24 hours after exposure. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains what types of animals may have the virus and what to watch for with potential exposure. Dr. Madsen also puts to rest the rumors that the rabies vaccine is painful and administered into the stomach.
A broken blood vessel in the eye can look nasty. But is it worth a trip to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about when you should seek emergency help and when you can just see your ophthalmologist.
If you find your heart suddenly racing, is that cause for concern? Whether to worry or not depends on other symptoms and how long the racing lasts. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about some potentially serious conditions you should be mindful of, and how ER doctors might treat them.
After sitting for a long time you notice one leg is swollen and your calf is painful. Should you go to the ER? Emergency room physician Troy Madsen says the risk of a blood clot in your leg from sitting too long is reason to visit the ER. Find out why sitting for a long time during a car drive or plane flight can be dangerous, who can be at risk, and what you can do to prevent it.
You are suddenly hit with a severe headache that you’ve never experienced before. Maybe you pass out; maybe it makes you sick to your stomach. Should you go to the ER? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen says these “thunderclap headaches” might be a sign of something much more serious. On this episode of "ER or Not" we talk what potentially life threatening problems that a severe headache might be a sign of, and how to distinguish them from a normal headache.
For dogs you know, a dog bite should be treated like a laceration and watched for signs of infection. But for deeper wounds and those from strange dogs, it might be time for a trip to the ER. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen takes us step by step—from what you should do after being bitten to when you should be worried about rabies.
In this episode of ER or Not, we find out what sorts of trouble you could be in if you accidentally swallowed the not-so-tasty part of a chicken wing. Should you go to the ER immediately or wait for the situation to pass? Dr. Troy Madsen has the answers.
Your recent ear piercing is red and swollen and you suspect it might be infected — should you go to the emergency room? On this ER or Not, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the potential serious complications that can come from an infection of the ear, including hearing loss and hospitalization. Learn what you need to look for and when to seek immediate care.
For those who are experiencing a panic attack, a trip to the emergency room might feel necessary. And while ER doctors can give medication to help calm you down, most panic attacks are probably not something you absolutely need to go to the ER for. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the reasons for when a trip to the ER is a must in the case of panic attacks.
The ER is for emergencies—we know this. But which health conditions classify as "emergencies" can be confusing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially, it's important to know the guidelines of coming into the ER. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the ABC(and D)s of when you should go to the emergency room.
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 about what this confusion can mean. He also shares what to do if this confusion kicks in.
Sitting for long periods of time may be as harmful to your health as obesity and smoking. On today’s Health Hack, Dr. Troy Madsen has a few ways you can get up and moving throughout the day to stay healthy.
Generally, people who are young and healthy aren't necessarily prone to dying—but, there are still exceptions. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the top three health conditions that can kill people who are otherwise healthy and the warning signs that may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.
What would you do if you develop a urinary tract infection while traveling abroad? On today’s Health Hack, emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains why bringing an antibiotic with you when traveling may save your vacation.
Your child stuck something small deep up their nose. So far up there, you can’t seem to retrieve it. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares a useful—but kind of gross—health hack that may save you a costly trip to the emergency room.
If you’re struggling to lose weight, today’s Health Hack may be for you. Dr. Troy Madsen explains how cutting one large soda a day can lead to losing up to a pound a week.
An ingrown toenail can be extremely painful and, in some cases, require antibiotics and a procedure. On today’s Health Hack with Dr. Troy Madsen, learn how to stop an ingrown toenail before they even start.
Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares a recent eye-opening study about using over-the-counter pain relievers rather than opioids. Learn how to safely treat your pain on this Health Hack.
Three or four servings of fruit and vegetables may be all you need in a day for significant health benefits. Dr. Troy Madsen shares some easy ways to get your daily recommended servings on this Health Hack.
Broken bones hurt all the way up until you get a cast on it. On today’s Health Hack, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how to make a simple DIY splint to help immobilize an injured limb while you wait for treatment.
It's not uncommon this time of year to slip and fall on the ice. If you do, should you go to the ER? Emergency medicine physician Dr. Troy Madsen answers that question and also tells you how he would try to fall to minimize potential injuries.
Chronic lower back pain is one of the most common types of pain in the United States. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says yoga can reduce lower back pain and may be a cheaper alternative to the typical treatments of physical therapy and painkillers for relief.
As the weather gets colder, some people experience nosebleeds. When is a nosebleed serious enough to go the ER and when can you take care of it yourself? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about why the cold, dry air may cause nosebleeds and how to properly take care of a nosebleed at home.
Have you stubbed your toe bad enough you think you may have broken it? Save yourself an expensive trip to the ER—emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how you can do the same procedure you'd receive at an urgent care.
The presence of electric scooters are increasing in a lot of cities, and with them comes the increase in related injuries coming into ERs. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about who's actually getting injured by electric scooters, the types of injuries, and how you can prevent yourself from ending up in the ER.
You just got someone else’s blood on you. Now you’re wondering if you need to go to the ER or whether you can wipe it off and go on with the rest of your day. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks through the scenario and factors that will make a difference in the decision of whether to pay the ER a visit.
Sometimes when you pay the doctor a visit, he’ll hold a little flashlight up to your eye and joke that he's looking into your soul. But what are doctors really trying to find when they look into your eyes? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the situations that would cause him to pull out his little flashlight, and you might be surprise to learn that the two top reasons have nothing to do with the eye itself.
Playing novice electrician? Stuck something in an outlet you shouldn’t have? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explores the potential health risks you may face after experiencing even just a minor electrical shock. And spoiler: You should go to the hospital.
You may think you know what to look for in pink eye: red itchy eyes, goopy discharge, swelling. But are you sure? Dr. Troy Madsen explains how pink eye can be very difficult to diagnose and that even those telltale symptoms could be a sign of something as simple as allergies. We cover the signs you should be looking for and the treatment options if you think you or your child may have pink eye.
You need to urinate but it’s hard, if not impossible, to go. Should you make a trip to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says it depends on the patient. If you’re a 65-year-old male, you need to go in. For everyone else, it might be worth waiting to visit an urgent care. What could be causing your inability to go, on this episode of ER or Not.
High blood pressure can be a reason for concern, but is it worth an expensive trip to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about when a trip to the ER for high blood pressure is needed, and how you can relax to reduce your blood pressure.
Stubbing a toe is painful. You might have stubbed your toe really hard, and might have even broken it. Should you go to the ER? Dr. Troy Madsen stops by to discuss whether you should go to the ER. He also discusses how to treat and care for a stubbed toe.
Sometimes we eat something we wish we hadn't. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says food poisoning generally takes about six hours to take effect, but most people get through it all right. Learn about the symptoms of food poisoning and things you can do to help yourself get through it.
You have a piece of food stuck in your throat. Maybe a piece of steak you didn’t chew well enough. It isn’t blocking your airway, but it’s definitely not going anywhere anytime soon. Should you go to the ER? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen tells us when that lodged bit of food is an emergency and shares a surprising at-home remedy to try.
In one way or another, you find yourself punctured with a freshly sharpened No. 2 pencil. There might even be a bit of a dark spot from the graphite underneath the skin. Are you in danger of lead poisoning? Should you go to the emergency room immediately? On this episode of ER or Not, Dr. Troy Madsen settles your childhood fears about pencil-related injuries.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tonsils that is relatively common. It’s contagious and can lead to a very sore throat, so the earlier it’s treated, the better. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses four tell-tale signs you should be looking for to determine if you have strep throat and how to treat it.
It may seem like a given—if you run long distances regularly, then you’ll eventually need a knee replacement. But from a doctor's perspective, that's actually not true. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen, a runner, looks at the research on knee damage and running. He shares his findings and why he thinks running is a great way to stay healthy.
You feel a pain in your chest and left arm. You immediately start worrying that you're having a heart attack. At what point do chest pains equal a heart attack? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares what chest pains can mean. He also discusses the symptoms and feelings of a heart attack versus "regular" chest pain.
Diarrhea is a not-so-pleasant condition we have all experienced at one point or another. But what should you do if it lasts longer than a day? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how to treat the problem of diarrhea and what symptoms mean you should seek your doctor’s help.
Have an extreme pain or discomfort in your stomach? Has it lasted longer than five minutes? Many sufferers avoid going to the emergency room for fear they’ll just be told it’s nothing and then sent home. As a follow-up to “ER or Not: Severe Stomach Pain,” emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen takes us step-by-step through what physicians do when a patient with abdominal pain comes into the ER and what signs you can look for at home when deciding whether to go to the hospital.
Should you go to the ER for back pain? In this episode of ER or Not, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen details the two symptoms you should be looking for that could be signs of something requiring immediate emergency care. The second one might surprise you.
According to pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner, a child coughing until they puke is actually pretty common. Children—especially those under 12 months of age—have a very sensitive gag reflex. But if vomiting after coughing happens too often, it could be a sign of something more serious. Learn the signs to watch out for the next time your child coughs.
The next time you have trouble swallowing a piece of food, try drinking a soda. On today's Health Minute, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how carbonation from soda can help dislodge the food stuck in your throat.
Staples, stitches, and even super glue are all options for treating large cuts. But how do emergency physicians decide what to use to get wounds back together? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how he makes his decisions for what suture tool to use.
Somehow, you got sprayed with pepper spray. It’s in your eye, it stings, and you’re probably feeling really uncomfortable. But is getting pepper strayed a reason to go to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says, “probably not.” Hear what you can do at home, and when a trip to the ER might be needed for pepper spray.
If you are present during an overdose, do you know what to do? According to emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen, the most important thing you should do is call 911 and seek emergency help. Learn about the myths about overdose treatment and the potential complications that can come if you attempt to take care of the problem yourself.
You’re helping friends move some heavy furniture and suddenly feel a pop in your abdomen. Maybe you have a small protrusion and think it could be a hernia. It may look scary, but is it a reason to rush to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about what exactly a hernia is, how some people live with them for years, and when it’s serious enough to seek immediate help.
The room is spinning, you feel off balance, and it doesn't seem to be getting better. Should you go to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says, depending on the person, it could be a sign of stroke. Find out the risk factors to consider and learn when to seek immediate help.
If you live in Salt Lake City, you know it’s not a good idea to exercise outside during a muggy inversion. But did you know you should be concerned even on a clear summer day? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how even though ozone isn’t visible, it can cause serious breathing issues. Learn the steps you can take to protect yourself this summer.
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.
A trip to the ER is different for patients with diabetes compared to those without. Diabetes can lead to more serious complications doctors would be concerned about, as well as influence diagnostics and potential treatments. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains why it’s important your physicians know your diabetic status early with emergency treatment.
A severe asthma attack can be dangerous and an alarming situation for both the victim and those around them. Do you know what to do if you find yourself needing to assist someone during an asthma attack? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen walks through step-by-step what you should do to assess the situation and best help during someone else's asthma attack.
Typically, an emergency room doctor reviews a patient's vital signs before actually seeing the patient. The four main vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature—reveal a lot of important information. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how ERs use vital signs to triage patients and what indicators he looks for to determine if a patient needs urgent help.
You’ve seen the alarming headlines about “dry drowning” in which a child passes away days after inhaling water. It’s definitely a nightmare scenario, but does it really happen? The short answer: not exactly. What actually happened is called “secondary drowning,” and it is preventable if you know what to look for. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how the media has the story wrong, what dry drowning is and what you really should be looking for to prevent delayed aspiration.
With summer almost here, many people are rolling out those dusty lawn mowers to trim their lawns. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses some common injuries that lawn mowers can cause and offers important safety tips to follow.
In the United States, there are two breeds of poisonous spiders to be worried about: the black widow and the brown recluse. We’ve all heard horror stories about these creepy creatures, but what really happens if you get bit by one? And what can doctors do about it? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares the surprisingly non-lethal symptoms of a spider bite.
Maybe it’s some redness on your skin. Maybe a small cut has become inflamed. Maybe an ingrown hair has become a little more worrisome. Is your skin infection something to worry about and when should you seek immediate care? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the symptoms you should be on the lookout for in case a skin infection becomes life-threatening.
Helmets are a vital piece of safety equipment for many activities and may save your life. But we may be depending on helmets a little too much. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares some of his first-hand experiences with helmet safety from the ER. He reminds listeners to still play it smart when it comes to safety, even if you're wearing a helmet.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication when an infection spreads to the bloodstream. It’s not too common for most people, but at-risk patients might not even realize the infection has spread. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains the complication of sepsis, how to tell if you might be at risk and how to identify signs that you should get to the hospital immediately.
Abuse of opioid painkillers is a nationwide epidemic. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says while ERs do use opioids, practices for prescribing and monitoring their use by patients have gotten stricter. Dr. Madsen talks about some suggestions for recognizing and avoiding an opioid addiction and some available alternatives to pain treatment.
Summer is here, and for many that means getting back on the bicycle and enjoying the outdoors. For ER doctors, it means seeing more patients injuring themselves on those bicycles. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the most common bike injuries he sees during this time of year and share tips on how to keep out of the ER.
Believe it or not, sometimes people can break bones and not realize it. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says some bones are more prone to fractures. Swelling, trouble moving a joint, or lingering pain after a few days can all be indications of a bone fracture. Learn about some other symptoms of broken bones if you suspect you may need an X-ray to find out for sure.
Spring is here and it’s time to start that spring cleaning. But if you come across mouse droppings you could be exposed to hantavirus. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen discuss the virus and simple cleaning steps you can take if you find mouse droppings.
Splinters can be painful and irritating, despite how small they can be. There are plenty of strategies to remove that bothersome embedded chunk under your skin but which one is the safest? Should you use a safety pin, tweezers or a pocket knife? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen describes the best way to remove a splinter at home and how to tell if a splinter is serious enough for emergency room care.
Do your ears ring after a noisy concert or because of a loud work environment? Could it indicate something serious? Hear what emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says ear ringing can mean, whether it's something to worry about, and some actions you can take if you are concerned.
On this episode of Seven Questions for a Specialist, The Scope speaks with emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen. What’s the most common thing he sees in the ER? What’s the one thing everyone should know to avoid the ER? Find out what answers Dr. Madsen has for these questions and more.
Does a car accident warrant a trip to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says any head injuries, neck pain or a painful abdomen means you need to get to the ER. But what should you do if a paramedic gives you a choice? ER or Urgent Care? Find out what to consider if you are in a car accident.
Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says if you suspect a food allergy is making it hard for you to breathe, call 911 immediately. Food allergy symptoms can range from mild itching to more severe breathing difficulty. And some food allergies can develop later in life with foods people had no problems with when they were young. Listen to find out the difference between food "allergies" and food "sensitivities.”
Has your child gotten something stuck in his or her ear that both your kid and you can't seem to get out? For those hard-to-grab objects, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says you should consider either the ER or urgent care because there’s a chance you could push it in further. Find out what you should do for all those other times when a foreign object gets stuck in your child’s ear.
On this episode of From the Frontlines, emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen speaks about the serious, potentially life-threatening risk of a spleen injury. If you or your young athlete has taken a hit to the abdomen and is feeling pain on the upper left side, you may want to get it looked at immediately. Dr. Madsen discusses how to identify a spleen injury and when you should go to the emergency room.
On this episode of ER or Not, emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen discusses the serious, potentially fatal causes and complications that can arise when you or a loved one is having trouble breathing. Find out what your labored breathing may be a sign of and when you should call 911 immediately.
Were you out in the cold a little too long? Do you worry you might have frostbite? Emergency room physician Troy Madsen says frostbite is a reason to go to the ER because you may risk losing a finger or toe. Learn the symptoms of frostbite and how it's treated.
Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen stopped by today and told us the flu season is here and could be a bad one. He’s seen an increase in really sick patients with the flu during the past couple weeks and expects it to only get worse. We asked Dr. Madsen for the details and for what he wants people to know about staying healthy this flu season.
Most people don't consider the emergency room a joyful place for the Yuletide holiday, but accidents can happen anytime. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says people who visit the ER on Christmas day usually arrive for something serious. Learn what seasonal activities can commonly land people in the ER, and get tips for spending your Christmas holiday safely.
It's the holidays and you've stepped on a glass ornament that fell off the tree. Should you go to the ER? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says Urgent Care is likely a better option. But don't wait—seek medical attention immediately. Find out which serious symptoms from stepping on broken glass might warrant a trip to the ER, and why.
We’ve all seen those scenes in movies where a dislocated shoulder is shoved back into place. It looks painful, but relatively easy. Can you really do that in real life? More importantly, should you? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen has the answers, as well as a potential way to pop that shoulder back into place safely if you just can’t make it to an ER.
November in the emergency room is kind of like hurricane season. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says you know something is coming, but you just don't know when or how big. Find out what he's talking about in the November edition of From the Frontlines. He also shares a couple of other common issues he sees as we ramp up into Thanksgiving and the holidays.
Pneumonia comes in at No. 8 on the list of top 10 causes of death in the United States. The condition often goes unnoticed and untreated until it has reached a life-threatening point, especially in older patients. So what can you do? University of Utah Health Care emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains exactly what pneumonia is and how it can be spotted in your older loved ones before it gets too severe.
Some nights in the emergency room are crazier than others, but how spooky is Halloween night in the ER? With all the costumes, festivities and children running around in the dark, you’d think it’d be a nightmare. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen dishes about what the scariest night in the ER is and some simple tricks to keep you out of the ER this holiday.
The end of civilization as we know it has finally come. Whether it be by robots, zombies, aliens or some other unimaginable event. In your gang of survivors, which medical specialist would be best for your survival? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen gives his picks for the type of doctor most likely to keep you alive after society collapses.
With a severe cut or injury, you need to take action to stop the bleeding immediately. Do you know what to do? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen explains how to correctly stem bleeding in severe injuries and the common, potentially life-threatening, mistakes people can make.
Your child has gone and put something small like a raisin up her nose and it’s stuck. Should you be rushing to the ER? Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen shares a safe, medically supported but potentially gross, home treatment you can try to dislodge an object in your child’s nostril. If you’re brave enough, it might just save you a trip to the ER.
Playing sports can be hard on a body and lead to a serious injury that might need immediate attention. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen covers the top three most common sports injuries he sees in the emergency room. Find out what they are, how to treat them and when you should go to the ER immediately.
“Prevention is the best type of medicine,” says Dr. Troy Madsen. Working in the ER, Dr. Madsen has seen people on their worst days. So how has this changed his outlook on personal health? Dr. Madsen talks about some lifestyle changes he has made after years of experience in the emergency room.
The overwhelming number of people who are shot go to the ER. Contrary to what a lot of movies and TV shows portray, once a gunshot victim gets to the ER, the most important problem isn’t getting the bullet out as fast as possible. ER providers worry first and foremost about internal damage. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about how to decrease internal damage in gunshot victims before an ambulance arrives.
It may be hard to wrap your head around, but that high number on the thermometer is not a sure sign you should go to the ER. Believe it or not, there is no way a fever can ‘cook your brain’ and no specific number to be alarmed about. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the more important signs you should look for with a fever before rushing to the hospital.
August is the month with the highest reported horse-related injuries in Utah, according to emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen. Additionally, injuries from falling off a horse are one of the top-five causes for serious extended hospital stays. Dr. Madsen explains what makes horse-related injuries specifically dangerous and how you can protect yourself from experiencing one.
Rather than seek professional help for opioid abuse some people addicted to those drugs turn to the Web for solutions for easing their withdrawals. One product being misused to treat opioid withdrawals is the diarrhea-relief medicine Imodium. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen warns about the life-threatening dangers of using this over-the-counter anti-diarrheic for detox.
You get bit by a non-venomous garter snake in your garden. It might be scary, but you know there isn’t venom in your veins. Should you go to the ER? Dr. Troy Madsen explains why a dog bite is actually more dangerous than one from a non-poisonous snake, but why you might want to go to the emergency room if you are behind on your tetanus booster.
Surgical site infections are fairly common after an operation. Even with the sterile environment and clean tools, infections can happen. These infections can be treatable and are fairly low risk if they are dealt with quickly. Dr. Troy Madsen shares what these infections look like, and when to contact a doctor. He also discusses treatments and how to take care of yourself if you develop an infection.
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.
The night shift in the emergency department is anything but boring. From burns to cuts, and fever to heart attacks, ER physicians see it all. The most difficult part of their job might be prioritizing whom to see first and who can wait. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen walks us through a “typical” night in the ER.
Working with a knife is not the only way you can cut yourself. Emergency physician Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the most common ways people suffer slices and nicks and what you can do to avoid stitches and emergency assistance.
Warm weather is coming and it’s time to get your yard ready for summer–but be careful using a lawn mower. Dr. Troy Madsen, emergency physician, joins us to describe common lawn mower injuries he sees in the ER, and the type of injuries he sees the most might just surprise you.
Believe it or not, April is the most common month for four- wheeler- and ATV- related injuries, with Easter weekend being the worst. Dr. Troy Madsen explain why he sees so many cases of four- wheeler accidents at the start of the season and the steps you can take in an emergency situation.
Hypothermia is when your body temperature gets too low. But you might be surprised to find out it doesn’t really need to be all that cold to get hypothermia. Dr. Troy Madsen talks about the conditions required for hypothermia to happen, discuses the signs and symptoms, when it becomes life threatening and what you can do to help someone with hypothermia.