From the Front Lines with Dr. Troy Madsen - The Scope Radio

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.

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.

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.

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.