Texas Tech Health Check: Recent Episodes

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center experts in health care will share advice and reminders to help us stay healthy—mentally and physically.

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Aging gracefully isn't limited to what we see on the outside. Older adults are better at setting boundaries, have more freedom and emotional intelligence and fewer stressors, plus they're able to focus on what's truly meaningful. Gayle Ayers, D.O., is a geriatric psychiatrist with Texas Tech Physicians and also is with the TTUHSC Garrison Institute in Aging Memory Clinic. She clarifies for us some misconceptions we might have about aging and older adults and how that contributes to agism, tells us the benefits of growing older and therefore wiser, and reminds us that we are all going to age, so we should just embrace it.

Previous episode with Dr. Ayers:

How Social Isolation Affects Older Adults

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As loneliness increases and as famous people's lives appear to have become more transparent, some people are falling into parasocial relationships. Our guest expert for this episode is James Barnett, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. He answers guest host Haely's questions about parasocial relationships: What is a parasocial relationship, how is it different from being a regular fan, when does it become dangerous and what can we do to support friends who might be in a parasocial relationship?

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Many of us enjoy a flavorful or tender piece of steak or even fajita tacos, but if we’re watching our budget as well as our health, what are some good alternate sources of protein? After all, everyone needs protein in their diet. Whether it’s animal based or plant-based, land or sea, pork or poultry, a powder or a bar, planning meals and snacks and making sure to include protein can feel overwhelming. To help explain the differences and provide additional guidance is our guest Christie Hust, registered dietician and managing director of performance improvement at the Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center. She answers guest host Haely’s questions about all things protein and gives us additional insight into planning colorful, healthy meals that will help keep our bodies strong.

Apps mentioned

MyFitnessPal
Appediet

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More than 200 million people around the world are infected with schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases. It is caused by parasitic worms and prevalent in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia with close to 800 million people at risk for infection. If we in the U.S. are not in immediate threat of contracting the disease, why should we want to know more about it? To answer that and to explain more about the disease –– how people are infected, who is at risk, what the symptoms are and how it’s currently treated –– is Afzal Siddiqui, Ph.D., a Grover E. Murray Distinguished Professor, director of the TTUHSC Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases and chair of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology in TTUHSC’s School of Medicine. Siddiqui also shares with us his decades-long work as part of a team developing a vaccine, updates us on the progress of the clinical trials and how work done on this vaccine could be useful to develop other vaccines as well.

About SchistoShield®

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Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations in the U.S. While most of us associate cataracts with older adults, anyone can get cataracts for a number of reasons. Our guest for this episode is Catherine Reppa, M.D., ophthalmologist with Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Dr. Reppa defines for us what a cataract is, goes over symptoms and treatments are available; tell us what we can expect from cataract surgery and the risks involved, and what we can do to protect our eyes and our overall health.

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Do you wake up tired or with a headache, even after sleeping all night? You might need a sleep study. Or you just might need to improve your sleep hygiene. Terri Carroll, NP, is a nurse practitioner with Texas Tech Physicians Amarillo Sleep Clinic. She tells us why we need a good night’s sleep, gives us tips on how to get restful sleep, explains what happens during a sleep study and who is a good candidate for a sleep study.

About Inspire:
Sleeping Better, Living Longer: A New Era in Sleep Apnea Care

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Think about the last time your head hurt. Headaches are a common condition and one of the most common causes of pain and a major reason people miss work or school and visit a doctor according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. There are different reasons we get headaches, different tests to learn more about the headaches and different treatments. Hyun Ah Kim, M.D., is a neurologist with Texas Tech Physicians neurology and an assistant professor in the School of Medicine at TTUHSC. She specializes in treating headaches, migraines, vascular vertigo, and autonomic disorders.

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Hot flashes and sleep disturbances get most of the attention when we talk about menopause, but there are another set of symptoms that often goes completely unmentioned due to discomfort or embarrassment. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, or GSM, affects up to 87 percent of all post-menopausal women, impacting everything from pelvic comfort to urinary health. Our guest expert for this episode is Kristen Sharma, APRN, a family nurse practitioner with Texas Tech Physicians. She explains what GSM actually is, how the drop in estrogen affects a woman’s quality of life, including sexual functioning and recurring UTIs, and the highly effective treatments available that can restore health, comfort and quality of life.

Related episodes:

There is Help for Female Urinary Incontinence
Understanding Urinary Tract Infections, Treatments, Prevention
Let's Get Real About Sexual Health
From Perimenopause to Post-Menopause: Taking the Mystery Out of Menopause

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Global health headlines have recently been dominated by hantavirus. With several confirmed cases and tragic fatalities, you might be wondering how this family of viruses typically associated with rural and agricultural regions appeared in the middle of the ocean. You might also wonder if you or your loved ones are at risk. Our guest expert for this episode is Tushi Singh, M.D., a pulmonologist with Texas Tech Physicians. She answers for us: What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; what symptoms should we look out for; how is it diagnosed; how the virus spreads; how we can protect ourselves and more importantly, how it’s treated because yes, people have been successfully treated.

Singh's previous episdes:

When Breathing Gets Hard: Understanding COPD
Clearing the Air: The Truth About Vaping and Lung Health
Smoking, Vaping as a Coping Mechanism

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Every year from May 6 - 12, we celebrate National Nurses Week. For this episode, we invited three nurses who, when combined, have over 130 years of experience. Cathy Galey, Cynthia Hester and Donna Thames sat with us and shared their insights on how they became interested in nursing, their experience in nursing school and training, challenges and changes to their careers, the impact of technology on patient care, what advice they have for future nurses and the most rewarding part of their careers.

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Menopause is a natural part of aging, yet it remains one of the most scary and misunderstood stages of a woman’s life. For this episode, our guest expert helps us separate fact from fiction regarding this transition. David Rogers, M.D., an OB/GYN with Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor and vice chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, joins us to talk about the basics of menopause — what is actually happening in the body during this shift, the common symptoms to look out for, and the truth behind some of the most persistent myths. Dr. Rogers also provides insights into how women can manage their health during this phase and how to advocate for themselves.

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and child abuse isn’t always easy to spot. For this episode, our guest expert talks to us about child neglect and its effect on children. Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant program director at the clinical mental health counseling program with the School of Health Professions answers our questions about neglect –- how it affects a child physically and mentally, the difference between the occasional lapse in parenting and neglect, and how being neglected as a child affects someone as an adult and their relationships with other adults. Dr. Jennings also gives us tips on what we can do to help others who might be at risk for neglect.

Previously with Dr. Jennings

Hope and Healing: Preventing Child Abuse in Our Community

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Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S., but about 8% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Guest expert for this episode, Tyler Mouw, M.D., is chief and fellowship program director for the division of surgical oncology, and a surgical oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians and assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Mouw explains what the pancreas does, goes over the different types of pancreatic cancer, risk factors, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and how to lower our risks.

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At some point, nearly all of us will experience back pain. If and how we recover depends on the type of back pain and sometimes our fear of pain. Phil Sizer, Ph.D., PT, is a physical therapist and Endowed Professor in Pain Science as well as Associate Vice President for Research Innovation at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Sizer explains the different kinds of back pain and causes, treatment, when surgery is the best option and most important, how fear of pain can hinder one's treatment.

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Some claim that smoking helps make them calm, but the cigarette or vape is more than likely what caused them to feel irritable and anxious in the first place. For this episode, produced by our media relations intern Haely Shirley, we find out the effects of smoking, vaping and related products on young adults bodies and their mental health and the improvement on both when you quit those products. Our experts for this episode are well known to our listeners, Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., psychiatrist, and Tushi Singh, pulmonologist, both with Texas Tech Physicians.

Related episodes:

The Great Escape: Breaking Free from Nicotine Addiction
Clearing the Air: The Truth About Vaping and Lung Health

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Vasectomies are minor surgical procedures intended to provide permanent contraception. They are a simpler, faster, safer and less expensive procedure compared to tubal ligation or hysterectomy. It's also not unusual to schedule the procedure around televised sports events. Mar Moncrief, PA, urology, Texas Tech Physicians, explains what patients can expect when they undergo the procedure. She describes who is an ideal candidate and how they should prepare, including discussing the decision with their partners. Moncrief also corrects some myths and rumors about vasectomies and why it's important to take recovery and post-vasectomy analysis seriously.

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Talk with your friends and family and you might get the impression that a meniscus injury is common. What are the options available for repair? Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians, goes over the options, including a meniscus transplant. He tells us who is a good candidate for a transplant and what recovery is like and what happens if you ignore the injury.

Dr. Kraeutler's Previous episodes

Hip Arthroscopy: Small Incisions, Big Impact
Knee Health Matters: Preservation Before Replacement
Hip Preservation Surgery: When and Why to Consider It

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Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The disease affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., including those who are non-Hispanic Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino and also affects people from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, and Arabs. Lukeman Tijani, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. He describes what sickle cell disease is and does to the organs; screenings, symptoms and treatment; why it's important for those with sickle cell disease to see a physician in the early stages of family planning and debunks myths about the disease.

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As GLP-1 medications become available in pill form, some people might be curious to try them. Drew Payne, D.O., an internal medicine physician with Texas Tech Physicians, explains what these and other weight loss medications and procedures do and their effects on type 2 diabetes. He also talks about what happens when patients stop taking these medications and stresses why it's important to get treatment from a physician who can help with weight loss goals while keeping the patient's health a priority.

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According to a new study from the American Cancer Society, more people are reaching the 5-year milestone following a cancer diagnosis. The report states that seven in 10 people now live five years after their diagnosis. Why is that 5-year important? Why have survival rates improved dramatically? That’s what our expert for this episode is here to tell us. Jasmine Sekhon, M.D., is a hematologist and oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. She gives us insight into which cancers are still lagging behind this 5-year milestone and why and what part screenings play when it comes to survival rates.

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Tonsils are part of the immune system and especially crucial for children under three years of age, but they may also cause recurrent infections and health issues. Guest expert Adbul Alsaleh, M.D., a pediatric ENT at Texas Tech Physicians, tells us what options are available when discussing a tonsillectomy or coblation.

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Dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., and there are about 400,000 older adults living with dementia in Texas. In rural communities, health care providers have an urgent need for additional dementia training. To address this need, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA) and the TTUHSC F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health are offering a 6-part, 1-hour virtual learning series on dementia care for providers.

First, what is dementia and why do rural areas present challenges when treating dementia? Our team of guest experts answer that question and more. Guests for this episode are: Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., director, GIA Memory Comprehensive Memory Clinic; Erin Baker, Project ECHO Coordinator; and Janie De La Cerda, Project ECHO Coordinator.

Additional information:

The Dementia Care ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Program runs Jan. 28 through April 8, 2026. Register for the program here.
Learn more about the TTUHSC GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic here.
Contact the GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic: 806-743-9401 or GIAMC@ttuhsc.edu

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More than 72,500 people in the U.S. were estimated to be diagnosed with three types of head and neck cancer in 2025. Of those, more than 16,500 were estimated to die from these diseases. Joehassin Cordero, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians head and neck surgeon and chair of the department of otolaryngology, is our guest expert for this episode. Dr. Cordero lists the different cancers considered head and neck cancers, possible causes, symptoms and treatment and patients are at risk for secondary cancers.

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It’s the time of year when some of us might consider making a new year's resolution to change or improve something about ourselves. Perhaps you want to break a bad habit or challenge yourself to do something new. Our experts for this episode have some advice on how we can motivate ourselves to stop those habits or take the plunge into doing something good for ourselves. Licensed professional counselors Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., and Sarah Roundtree, Ph.D., are both with the School of Health Professions Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, and are our guests for this last episode of the year.

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Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, according to the World Health Organization. It’s preventable and curable as long as it’s detected early and managed effectively. Our guest expert for this episode is Salvatore LoCoco, M.D., chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. LoCoco explains what is cervical cancer, which populations are at greatest risk for cervical cancer, screenings, treatment, vaccinations and prevention.

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A recent study found that 1 in 8 U.S. adolescents and young adults use AI chatbots for mental health advice. How safe is it to use these chatbots without or along with human therapists? Our guest experts for this episode are Nicole Noble, Ph.D., an an assistant professor in the TTUHSC School of Health Professions and therapist in the Your Life Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic and David Pfaff, Ph.D., a clinical mental health therapist with the School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Their insight on this topic will hopefully lead listeners to understand what to expect from these everyday chatbots, how we can use them as a tool to help with therapy, how therapists themselves use AI and why this is still one of those professional services that is best handled by a human.

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For some people, their bones might grow too much and not fit together perfectly, including the bones around the hip joint, leading to pain. That’s when patients usually learn about hip arthroscopy. Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., is back, this time to talk to us about hip arthroscopy—What is it? Who is a candidate? What is recovery like? Dr. Kraeutler is an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians. He tells us what options patients, especially younger patients, have when they’re feeling pain in their hips and when he recommends treatment with this minimally invasive procedure.

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There are challenges to practicing medicine and receiving medical treatment in rural areas, but there are benefits as well. According to National Rural Health Day, rural America is a great place for mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care. According to this episode's guest, rural patients will approach their doctor in public. Adrian Billings, M.D., is associate academic dean for rural and community engagement with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and with Texas Tech Physicians of Odessa. Dr. Billings shared what it is like to practice medicine in such a large rural area and how it's led him to build deep relationships with his patients. He also shares how telehealth and modern technology are transforming care in remote areas but stresses why personal connection between patients and clients still matters most.

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A cancer diagnosis often affects patients' mental health leading to anxiety, depression and social isolation. In this episode, guest Gabriela Lelakowska, Ph.D., assistant professor and psychologist in the department of psychiatry in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of open communication, maintaining routines and using professional resources when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.

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What is your favorite fictional villain or monster? Do they have a medical condition that led them on the path of evil? How medically accurate is that? Perhaps that character wouldn’t have a been a bad guy were it not for neglect or other people’s hubris? Our experts for this episode are Ron Cook, D.O., Chief Health Officer for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Alan Pang, M.D., assistant professor in the school of medicine and surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians, previous guests. They talked to us about the medical realities behind some popular villains and monsters and separated the fact from fiction when it comes to monsters’ and villains’ physical appearances or underlying medical conditions.

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Respiratory illness season is practically here. What can you do to protect your lung health right now? Tushi Singh, M.D., and Ricardo Franco, M.D., both pulmonologists with Texas Tech Physicians, are back for another episode, this one on lung cancer and what we can do to keep our lungs healthy, especially during this time of the year. You will definitely gain a better appreciation for your lungs after listening.

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Our introduction reminds our listeners that they are getting evidence-based advice and here's an example of how our experts are doing just that. Texas Tech Physicians Orthopedic Surgeon Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., wants to preserve our knee joints and delay or avoid the need for a total knee replacement. He describes the three primary factors involved with preservation of the knee joint -- joint alignment, meniscal status and ligament stability -- and how a deficiency in one can affect the others.

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September is National Preparedness Month, but we should be prepared for disasters regardless of the time of year. In addition to being prepared, it's good to know also what role public health has when it comes to preparing and responding to disasters. Amal Mitra, DrPH, MBBS, chair of the department of public health at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Julia Jones Matthews School for Population and Public Health explains how those in public health prepare for disasters, especially water safety, sanitation and disease surveillance. Mitra also highlights long-term long-term health issues post-disasters, such as PTSD, cardiovascular disease and sleep disturbances. He also shares his experience of what it was like to live in an are impacted by Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago.

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Our health and well-being can affect our sexual health. Illness and disease affect men and women when it comes to physical relationships. Oftentimes, those issues take a toll on our mental health. Don't suffer in silence. Talk to a medical professional. Our guest experts for this episode are two advance practice nurse practitioners from the department of urology, Melissa Bowyer, APRN, and Kristen Sharma, APRN. Both are with Texas Tech Physicians and see patients in the TTUHSC Multispecialty Clinic at the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital. They answered our questions about what health issues could affect our sexual health and tell us that there is hope

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In part two of this special series, we take our listeners on the journey of childhood cancer, from diagnosis to survivorship. This is the story of Emmie Rangel, a four-year-old who was diagnosed with cancer. Because she and her family live in a rural area, they had to travel for hours in order to receive a diagnosis and then for treatment and other emergencies. This episode shifts to a narrative format from our usual interview/question and answer format.

Part 1: Hope in Every Step

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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is one of the leading causes of disease-related deaths in children. Thanks to advances in treatment, early detection and specialized pediatric oncology, survival rates for many childhood cancers have improved.

This is part one of a two-episode series on childhood cancer. Mohamad Al-Rahawan, M.D., pediatric oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians, answers our questions about childhood cancer and explains why and how it's different from cancer in adults. Dr. Al-Rahawan also encourages our listeners to support the upcoming Lubbock Pediatric Cancer Walk on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

In the next episode, you’ll hear again from Dr. Al-Rahawan and how a family dealt not only with a cancer diagnosis for their daughter, but how they managed having to travel for treatments and emergencies and being away from the rest of their family.

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By now, college students have had time to settle into their new routines. That's why now is the time for them to get to know their student health center. Our guest for this episode is Erika Radford, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians family medicine doctor and assistant medical director at Student Health Services. She talks to us about the many services available for students at TTUHSC and TTU, but make sure to check with your university or college health center because many of them offer the same types of services. Dr. Radford tells us what students can expect to find at the health center, what screenings students should strongly consider getting and why it's worth your time and money to visit your student health center.

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Preview of the new season.

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A few weeks ago we covered pelvic floor dysfunction in men. So for this episode, we’re focusing on pelvic floor dysfunction in women. Our expert is physical therapist Ashlee Crawford, DPT, Texas Tech Physicians Physical Therapy Specialty Clinic in Amarillo. She answers our questions about causes, symptoms —treatments and how to go about seeking treatment — and how we can encourage people to talk about this more.

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Children need constant supervision, but what can parents or caregivers do when trouble finds the kiddos? Spencer Pruitt, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, answers our questions about potentially emergency situations such as animal bites or stings, drownings, handling a wild animal or being bitten by one. Dr. Pruitt also answers our questions about children and dehydration and food poisoning and when we should take our child to the emergency room or primary care provider.

Additional notes:

Previous child safety episode: Keeping Kids Safe: A Guide to Burn Prevention

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If you’re in a certain age range, your feeds or timelines might include ads about pelvic floor dysfunction. Some people might think it's a problem just for women, but our guests for this episode did a wonderful job of educating us about how pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) affects men. A previous guest who spoke to us about testosterone treatments, Melissa Bowyer is a family nurse practitioner at the Texas Tech Physicians Multispecialty Clinic. Melissa brought Robert Roten, a local physical therapist and TTUHSC alumnus to explain how physical therapy helps treat PFD. They answer questions about pelvic floor dysfunction – what are the causes, how common is it, what are the symptoms, how is it treated and how can we encourage more people to talk about this more?

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Clinical trials are the future of medicine, to borrow a phrase. Every medication on the market right now was at one point in time subject to a clinical trial. Our guest for this episode, Jennifer Kesey, Ph.D., associate managing director for the Clinical Research Institute at TTUHSC, explains to us what a clinical trial is, the different types of trials and how to participate in one.

For more information on how to volunteer for a clinical trial visit: https://app4.ttuhsc.edu/CRIVolunteer/

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Moms and moms-to-be need all the support they can get. One of those sources of support is housed in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics in Amarillo. The Infant Risk Center is a call center used by physicians, nurse, lactation consultants and mothers worldwide. Our guest for this episode is director of the Infant Risk Center of Excellence, Kaytlin Krutsch, Ph.D., Pharm.D.

Dr. Krutsch tells us all about the IRC and the information they provide. Dr. Krutsch goes on to explain how substances transfer to breast milk, the most common concerns and questions the IRC addresses, how we can support the IRC and moms, and in a world full of artificial intelligence, assures us that when someone calls the center, they’re speaking to an actual health care provider.

Infant Risk Center: 1-806-352-2519

Resources: infantrisk.com/infantrisk-center-resources

Support: infantrisk.com/donate

MommyMeds for Moms:
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InfantRisk for Healthcare Professionals:
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June is Men’s Health Month, and we want to bring attention to male infertility. Why this is an important health topic is one of the questions we ask our expert for this episode, Samuel Prien, Ph.D., professor and director of clinical research laboratories in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine. Dr. Prien explains what factors contribute to male fertility and infertility, what is considered a healthy sperm count and what lifestyle factors could affect sperm health. He encourages us to talk about this topic more openly so couples thinking about conceiving might possibly save time and money by first checking the male’s fertility.

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Financial insecurity can negatively affect our sleep and nutrition and cause social isolation. All of these take a toll on our mental health. Michele Mahr, Ph.D., assistant professor at the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling department of clinical counseling and mental health, is out guest expert for this episode. Dr. Mahr emphasizes the importance of open communication about financial stress with families and relationships. She also advices seeking professional help when financial stress significantly impacts our mental health and daily functioning. Dr. Mahr encourages that we exercise and try positive affirmations to help reduce stress, but emphasizes the importance of being authentic and identifying with ourselves rather than seeking external validation through things.

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You don't need garlic or sunlight to protect yourself against vampires -- energy vampires -- that seem to leave some people exhausted and overwhelmed. David Pfaff, Ph.D., clinical mental health therapist with the School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is our expert for this episode. He shares with us how we can identify and set boundaries with these relationships, practice mindfulness techniques to manage emotional reactions and treat ourselves with compassion in order to slay those energy draining situations. He also gives us tips on how we can be a bit more self-aware and avoid draining other people's energy.

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Vaping, initially intended as a smoking cessation tool, has evolved into a harmful trend, especially among young people. Tushi Singh, M.D., and Ricardo Franco, M.D., pulmonologists at Texas Tech Physicians, talk to us about the history of vaping and why it's harmful to our health, and stress seeking professional help for smoking cessation.

Dr. Singh's previous episode: "When Breathing Gets Hard: Understanding COPD"

Sara Tello, APRN, on smoking cessation: "The Great Escape: Breaking Free from Nicotine Addiction"

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Breast cancer in males is a rare cut clinically significant disease. Males have many of the same risk factors as females, but delay in seeking health care puts them at greater risk. Richard Pullen, Ed.D., MSN, director of the R.N. to BSN program in the School of Nursing, explains why males might put off reporting a lump in their breast or even checking for lumps. Dr. Pullen tells us what to look for, how we can help reduce the social stigma and instead support those who are at risk for developing breast cancer. One of the ways to start is by having conversations about awareness, so share this episode with your friends and family.

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Loose or sagging skin creating folds on the upper eyelid, excess skin and wrinkles around the lower eyelid, drooping lower eyelids -- all these and others can at some point impair your vision. Or perhaps you feel that the skin around your eyes could use a refresh. Coby Ray, M.D., an oculoplastic surgeon at Texas Tech Physicians, is our expert for this episode. Dr. Ray explains that sometimes blepharplasty is sometimes medically necessary to prevent vision impairment caused by droopy eyelids. He goes over what's involved with the surgery and recovery and his recommendations to help prevent droopy eyelids.

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., has ben treating child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect for over 20 years. She is the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program assistant program director/instructor in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health. Dr. Jennings emphasizes the need for early intervention and outlines the long-term consequences of abuse and the role of friends, family, and mandated reporters in identifying and reporting cases.

Help us raise awareness about National Child Abuse Prevention Month by sharing this podcast with your community.

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Natural and artificial food dyes are ubiquitous, but some people try to avoid consuming food or beverages of a certain color for different reasons. James Tarbox, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians allergist, explains that food dyes are added to food for aesthetic purposes and are generally safe. They can cause rare allergic reactions such as hives, swelling, shortness of breath and low blood pressure. To avoid allergic reactions, Dr. Tarbox recommends consuming fresh, unprocessed foods, reading labels carefully and making meals at home.

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If you want a quick boost to your mood, just clearing or cleaning a small space will make you feel better. Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., is our guest expert and explains why tidying up can be therapeutic. Dr. Winkelman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health and Program Director for the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program within the School of Health Professions at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Winkelman gives us tips on how to start and stick to a routine that will help keep messes from becoming overwhelming, and she reminds us that clear communication about what cleanliness means to us is important when you share a space with others.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, referred to as COPD, is a progressive disease which can, over time, limit your ability to do basic activities such as walking, cooking or taking care of yourself. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is two times more common in rural areas than it is in large cities. Tushi Singh, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pulmonologist, is our guest for this episode. Dr. Singh explains to us what causes COPD, what treatments are available and what we can do to protect ourselves from developing COPD.

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March is National Kidney Month. Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes and extra water out of our blood and make urine. Damage to your kidneys means they can’t filter blood the way it should, which could lead to kidney disease. Our guest for this episode is Leo Yamaguchi, M.D., associate program director and vice chief of clinical services for the TTUHSC School of Medicine's Internal Medicine Division of Nephrology. Dr. Yamaguchi explains how our kidneys work, some of the causes of kidney disease, how we can keep our kidneys safe and why we might want to consider becoming an organ donor.

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Parental vigilance is the best way to keep children safe from burns, a common injury for kids. Possible burns are not limited to injuries from fireplaces, camp fires or fireworks. Risks include chemicals, electric cords, hot foods and hot water from the tap. Allan Pang, M.D., is a Texas Tech Physicians surgeon who specializes in burn, wound, trauma and critical care, and has been on this podcast before with great advice. He answers our questions about what we can do to prevent children from getting burns and what to do in case a child sustains a burn.

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There are more than 100 confirmed cases of measles in Texas. Measles spreads incredibly fast in children and adults. Ron Cook, D.O., TTUHSC Chief Health Officer, is our guest for this episode. He answers our questions about symptoms, how it spreads, whether or not adults are safe and what we can do to protect ourselves and others from getting sick.

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Have you felt an overwhelming sadness when a favorite character or celebrity has died? It's OK to mourn the loss, even over a fictional character or someone you've never met. Natalie Harryman, licensed marriage and family therapist with the Counseling Center, is our guest for this episode. She explains why we feel this loss, what we can do for friends and family who are grieving and when it’s time to seek professional help.

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Music and hobbies keep us engaged. If you're like many who use their fingers, hands and arms and sit for long periods when working on their hobbies or playing an instrument, beware that overuse can be lead to injuries. Our expert for this episode, Jean-Michel Brismée, Sc.D., PT,is a physical therapist and distinguished professor in the doctor of science program in physical therapy in the TTUHSC School of Health Professions. Dr. Brismée emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and maintaining good posture, but adds that other health issues could possibly by the cause someone is feeling pain or discomfort.

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Sudden cardiac arrest is a critical emergency where the heart unexpectedly stops beating. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, it strikes people of all ages who may seem to be healthy, even children and teenagers. Sudden cardiac arrest leads to death in minutes if the person doesn’t get help right away. Ron Banister, M.D., is vice chairman of anesthesiology and associate professor at TTUHSC. Dr. Banister talks to us about sudden cardiac arrest and explains what happens when sudden cardiac arrest occurs and the impact on the body and organs. He shares survival rates and helps puts the number of deaths into perspective and how accessible, low cost defibrillators can help save lives.

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Hip pain can impact our quality of life significantly, but traditional hip replacement surgery may not be the only option. Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians, talks to us about hip preservation surgery, procedures designed to delay or prevent the need for a total hip replacement. He tells us who is a good candidate, goes over some of the symptoms, explains PRP therapy and what patients can expect.

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Kirsten Robinson, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, discusses essential preparations for new parents. Dr. Robinson advises starting prenatal care early, optimizing health conditions, and taking prenatal vitamins. Key items for newborns include a safe sleep environment, a car seat, a thermometer, basic care items, and a pediatrician. To prepare siblings and pets, she suggests reading books and gradually introducing them to the new baby. Dr. Robinson emphasizes the importance of safe sleep practices, avoiding overbundling, and recognizing signs of illness. Regular pediatric visits are crucial, with the first at one to two weeks post-birth.

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Start the new year with a plan to quit smoking, vaping or dipping and see significant health benefits. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Sara Tello, a Texas Tech Physicians nurse practitioner specializing in smoking cessation, explains how she helps smokers quit. Tello emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to quitting using medications and nicotine replacement therapies. This compassionate, non-judgmental approach to helping smokers quit offers them a chance to significantly improve overall health.

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Alan Pang, M.D., a Texas Tech Physicians surgeon burn specializing in wound, trauma and critical care, discusses common burn injuries during the holiday season, emphasizing prevention and treatment. He highlights scald burns from cooking and hot beverage spills and fire risks from Christmas trees.

Safety tips include keeping children away from cooking areas, using covered cups for hot drinks, and ensuring electrical safety. For burn treatment, he advises running burns under cold water to remove heat, avoiding home remedies like butter, and seeking medical help for severe burns, pain, or large burns. He also warns about frostbite risks in cold weather and the importance of keeping extremities warm.

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Amy Stark, M.D., an addiction psychiatrist with Texas Tech Physicians, discusses the challenges of maintaining sobriety during the holidays. She emphasizes the importance of non-alcoholic options at parties and suggests strategies for those struggling with addiction, such as bringing their own non-alcoholic drinks and using visual cues like holding a drink to deter pressure. Dr. Stark highlights the impact of alcohol on the brain's decision-making processes and the differences in alcohol tolerance between men and women. She also stresses the importance of community support and professional help for those seeking to quit or cut back on alcohol use, cautioning against abrupt cessation due to potential withdrawal risks.

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The holiday season is a challenging time for many of us, especially those who might be caught in toxic family relationships or find ourselves estranged from loved ones. How can we deal with that while protecting ourselves is our topic for this episode. Our guest for this episode is Nicole Noble, Ph.D., a counselor with the School of Health Professions Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health. Dr. Noble, who has been on this podcast before, describes the characteristics of a toxic relationship and differences between disagreements and toxic interactions. She also gives us strategies protect ourselves during these types of interactions.

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It’s been five years since the first known appearance of SARS-CoV-2, otherwise known as COVID-19. In January of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Later in March, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Our experts for this episode graciously shared their experiences not only as frontline workers, educators and scientists, but also as leaders and members of the community trying to best navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to Victor Test, M.D., and Ebtesam Islam, M.D., Ph.D., both Texas Tech Physicians pulmonologists and Ron Cook, D.O., TTUHSC Chief Health Officer.

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As we age, our memory begins to fail us, but for many it becomes a significant challenge for them and their caregivers. Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and director for the TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging Memory Clinic, tells about symptoms to look out for and the importance of early diagnosis.

The TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging is holding several events during Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

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Having friends at work helps with your mental health and could even help advance your career. How can you go about making friends if you're shy or if you work from home? Here to help us understand why it's important to have friends at work and give us advice on how to make friends are Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., and Nicole Noble, Ph.D. They are both counselors and with the School of Health Professions department of clinical counseling and mental health.

TTUHSC Office of Communications and Marketing student intern Hope Caperton helped co-host this episode.

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According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one third of adults in the U.S. have a tattoo, and 22% have more than one. What happens to our skin when we get a tattoo and what makes them permanent? Alan Pang, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians surgeon specializing in burn wound, trauma and critical care, is our guest expert for this episode. Dr. Pang answers our question about protecting our skin when we get tattoos or remove them, and offers alternatives to covering up or erasing scars.

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Jeepers, creepers! Would you like to make your brown eyes blue? We can change our mind, and we can change the color our hair. Can we change the color of our eyes? Kelly Mitchell, M.D., is a well-known expert to our listeners. He's an ophthalmologist with Texas Tech Physicians. Dr. Mitchell explains how we get our eye color and the purpose behind the color on our iris. He also goes over the different procedures currently for changing the color of our eyes, including colored contact lenses, and reminds us to keep our eyes safe while we’re celebrating Halloween.

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Around 60% of Americans have pets, and many of them are considered family members. How do we deal with the loss when our pet dies? Natalie Harryman, a licensed marriage and family therapist with the Counseling Center, explains that pets bring joy, motivation and unconditional love, but they also bring stress. She notes that grieving a pet is similar to grieving a human loved one, involving stages like sadness, anger, and guilt. Natalie gives us advice on how coping mechanisms, including self-compassion and allowing emotions to pass; what to tell children when a beloved pet is gone; and she emphasizes the importance of sitting with and supporting grieving individuals.

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Occupational or work-related lung diseases are lung conditions which have been caused by long-term, or even a one-time, exposure to certain irritants. Our guest for today, Anuhya Alapati, M.D., is a pulmonologist with Texas Tech Physicians.
Dr. Alaptai tells us which occupations potentially pose problems, signs of lung disease, treatments and steps to take to prevent it.

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common infections, but they're much more common among women than men. What causes a UTI? What should you do if you think you have one? How can you prevent them? Guests for this episode are Melissa Sanford, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians urologist, and Kristen Sharma, Texas Tech Physicians urology family nurse practitioner. They clear up myths about UTIs and explain proper treatment, if necessary, and stress that this is not a condition that should cause shame or embarrassment.

With the number of people aged 65 years and older projected to more than double in the next quarter century, the need for caregivers will increase as well. Caregiving, especially for adults with dementia, is even now expensive and labor intensive, with some choosing home-care putting pressure on family members and even leading to burnout. Gayle Ayers, D.O., a psychiatrist, with the TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging, is back with us this time to talk about caregiver burnout and stress and what we can do about it.

September is designated as Healthy Aging Month, but social isolation and loneliness among older adults negatively affect their mental and physical health. What does that mean and what can we do to help minimize that risk? Gayle Ayers, D.O. is a psychiatrist with the TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging and our guest for this and the next episode. Dr. Ayers explains how the number of older adults who feel isolated increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and how that negatively impacts mental health, contributing to depression and anxiety, and can accelerate cognitive decline, including dementia.

Violent and horrific images of events and even descriptions of these incidents in the media seem frequent and unavoidable, especially recently. This can have a significant impact on your mental health. Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, explains what impact these images can have on our mental health and on young, developing brains. She recommends setting boundaries and taking a break from the media and other sources of news and gives us tips on how to talk to children about these events.

Breathe easier as you listen to this podcast about lung health and learn about keeping your lungs healthy. Anuhya Alapati, M.D., pulmonologist in the Department of Internal Medicine, is our expert for this episode. Dr. Alapati tell us about how to keep our lungs healthy by explaining what symptoms to watch out for, precautions we should take, how exercise helps with lung health and debunks some common myths about lung health.

Many of us are aware of our thyroids, but how many of us know what it does or what happens when there’s a problem with our thyroid. Mohammad Sidani, M.D., guest for this episode, tells us all about the thyroid, including the origin of its name, and why if you’re on thyroid medication you should take it exactly as prescribed. Dr. Sidani is a Texas Tech Physicians surgeon and with the TTP Multispecialty Clinic in the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital. Although Dr. Sidani specializes in endocrine surgery, he explains that there are tailored treatments which don’t necessarily involve surgery and if they do, they don’t involve removing the entire thyroid. If surgery is necessary, because of the possible complications, he recommends patients talk to a high-volume thyroid surgeon about treatment.

Mental disorders affect men and women, but men are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women in the past year. Men are also more likely to die by suicide than women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What does it mean when men bottle up their emotions? How can we encourage them to seek help? Taylor Johnston, LPC is a licensed professional counselor associate in the Department of Psychiatry’s Counseling Center where he sees patients through our employee assistance program and program of assistance for students. Taylor stresses the importance of a support system, self-care and mindfulness, plus counseling, help lead to better mental health.

The Counseling Center at TTUHSC
Call 806-743-1327 or 800-327-0328
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call or text 988

If you are in crisis and one of the following applies to you:

You feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself.
You feel you are in immediate danger of harming someone else.
You have recently been assaulted or had a traumatic experience.

Please do one of the following:

Call 911 – you will be connected with the police who can help you get emergency services.
Call the StarCare Crisis Team 806-740-1414.
Go to your local emergency room.

If you or a loved one have food allergies, make sure you check those epinephrine injectors before you hit the road to either drop off a kiddo at camp, take a family vacation or join your friends or family for a meal. Also make sure that you and your loved ones know how to use it properly. That’s the advice from James Tarbox, M.D., an allergist with Texas Tech Physicians.

Dr. Tarbox tells us what happens to someone when they’re triggered by a food allergy, explains the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance, and why we should be prepared if you or a loved one has food allergies. He also shares some upcoming good news for those who do not like needles but have allergies.

Be mindful of your feet as you step into the heat this summer. Our expert for this episode is Jerry Grimes, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Grimes reminds us to keep our feet safe by wearing footwear that's appropriate for the occasion, applying sunscreen on our feet if they’re exposed to the sun and if you can’t feel your feet or have diabetes, making sure to check your feet daily.

Women are the most common caregivers, but they must remember to prioritize their physical health too. Jennifer Ward, M.D., assistant professor for the School of Medicine's Family and Community Medicine, explains why having annual checkups and screenings is important, but so is knowing one's family medical history. Dr. Ward tells us some common health issues among middle age and older women, debunks some myth's about women's health and reminds patients to advocate for themselves.

We’re highlighting women’s health this month and would like to encourage women and girls to prioritize their health. One of the ways to do that is by becoming physically active. Toby Brooks, Ph.D., is program director for the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Master of Athletic Training. Brooks also has worked as an athletic trainer and/or strength and conditioning coach with numerous professional, collegiate, and high school athletics programs. He shares with us what women can do to ease into or step up their exercise routines, and why we should think of it as a long term investment and gift to ourselves and our families.

There are more than 5 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. every year, making skin cancer America’s most common cancer. It’s also one of the most preventable ones. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Meredith Pham, M.D., with the department of dermatology at Texas Tech Physicians shares with us facts about early detection and sun protection. Also make a note that the Texas Tech Physicians department of dermatology will be hosting a free skin cancer screening Saturday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UMC Cancer Center at 602 Indiana. No appointment is necessary.

It’s been 70 years since the first bariatric surgery, and weight loss continues to dominate headlines. As you’ve heard our experts stress before, effective weight loss strategies emphasize changes in habits for long-term weight loss and overall health. Sima Shahbandar, M.D., an internal medicine doctor with Texas Tech Physicians at the TTP Multispecialty Clinic in the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital, talks to us about bariatric surgery and how small, consistent changes can lead to significant weight loss and improved overall health.

You may have heard about encephalitis being a possible threat in certain areas of the world, but if you’re like me, you might not know much else. Although we hear about it happening somewhere else in the world, it doesn’t mean we’re immune to it here in the U.S. Our guest for this episode is Walter Duarte, M.D., a neurologist with the TTUHSC School of Medicine. Dr. Duarte explains what encephalitis is, how you get it, who is at risk, what are the symptoms and why early detection is key to effective treatment.

Hearing loss in rural adolescents is almost double that of the general population of children. We might think of rural areas as peaceful and quiet, but sometimes it gets loud enough to cause harm. Our expert for this episode is Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., Director of the Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing Research in the Doctor of Audiology Program of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions. Reel talks about hearing loss risks, diagnosis and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss in adolescents.

This is the final installment of our three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part three focuses on the impact of AI on health care providers. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing

This is part two of a three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part two focuses on the impact of AI on health care education, including the benefits and challenges. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing

This is part one of a three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part one focuses on the impact of AI for the general public and how it is used to improve everything from patient education and preventive care to diagnostics and personalized medicine. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing.

Learn to be mindful of your mental health during election season. If you're feeling overwhelmed by campaign ads or dreading talking to loved ones, coworkers or neighbors because they bring up politics, you're not alone. Our guest for this episode is Madison Bishop, LMFT, senior therapist at the Department of Psychiatry's Counseling Center's employee assistance program. Bishop gives us tips on how we can stay informed but keeping in mind to protect our mental health.

Is it allergies? Is it a cold or is it something else that's making us sneeze and cough? If you do find yourself with a runny nose or cough, is it better to stay home and eat chicken soup or to visit your primary care provider or even go to the emergency room? Our guest for this episode is Rafael Rosalez, M.D., a family medicine doctor with Texas Tech Physicians at the TTP Multispecialty Clinic in the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital. Dr. Rosalez goes over the different respiratory problems which could affect us any time of the year, what we can do to prevent getting sick or making other sick and what we can keep at home to make us feel better if we do feel sick.

Consider the largest organ in the body. Look after it and it'll take care of you. Our guest for this episode is Patti May, M.D., TTUHSC School of Medicine’s Family and Community Medicine Department and is with Texas Tech Physicians at UMC Health and Wellness Hospital. Dr. May tells us that it’s never too early to pay attention to your skin for preventative measures. She also explains that there are differences when it comes to Botox treatment for men and women and how you can prepare before meeting with the doctor to embark on a journey to discover how embracing our unique beauty contributes to a healthier, happier life.

What does it mean to be jealous or envious in a relationship? What does it do to our mental and physical health? Our guest for this episode is Robert Ragland, licensed professional counselor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Employee Assistance Program. He explains the differences between jealousy and envy and why we sometimes feel jealous or envious – whether it's in a romantic or platonic relationship or perhaps even at work or while on social media.

Advances in detection and treatment for prostate cancer has improved so much that it's possible that patients are left with less dramatic side effects than those of past years. The key to this is early detection. Pranav Sharma, M.D., division chief of urologic oncology and clinical medical director, tells us who should get tested and when, who is at greater risk for prostate cancer and he explains what treatment is available and why sometimes not treating it is an option.

Children eye diseases and conditions are common, but certain diseases can only be cured if caught before they turn two. Temiloluwa Abikoye, M.D., an ophthalmologist, specializing in pediatric ophthalmology at Texas Tech Physicians, describes and explains these conditions and diseases. Dr. Abikoye also tell us what physicians look out for and what parents should pay attention to in their children, especially infants.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and more prevalent among Black and Hispanic populations. Matt Porter, M.D., is an ophthalmologist in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. Dr. Porter explains the different types of glaucoma and treatments and how it affects our vision. He also demystifies the myth that only older adults get glaucoma and stresses why we should get checked for it.

Self-care isn't selfish. It's taking time to do the things that will help improve your physical and mental health. Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., assistant professor in the department of psychiatry, explains the different kinds of self-care and why it's important to practice, even small acts of self-care.

One of the things our experts agree on for improving our health, in addition to quitting smoking, is getting daily exercise. Move that body. How do you start or how do you get back to exercising if it’s been a while? Here to tell us how to ease into it is Toby Brooks, Ph.D., associate professor and program director of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Master of Athletic Training. Brooks has worked as an athletic trainer and/or strength and conditioning coach with numerous professional, collegiate, and high school athletics programs.

Since the pandemic, many of us have seen an increase in the time we spend in front of screens – whether it’s placing an order for food or a delivery, scheduling an appointment, doing homework or chatting with friends or family. That additional time in front of screens could be harming our physical and mental health. Our guest for this episode is Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., assistant professor and program director for the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Dr. Winkelman tells why some of us can’t stop looking at our smartphones or tablets and what happens to our health when we spend too much time looking at our phones. She also has tips on how to limit screen time and reminds us to set our phones down and enjoy the moment – that is after you finish listening to this episode.

Spotify 2023 top episode with Winkelman: "Taking Care of Your Mental Health at Work"

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time dedicated to help the public understand the benefit of this type of serious-illness care and the importance of advance care planning. Our guest for this episode is Kelly Klein, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians Department of Family Medicine and associate professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine. Dr. Klein explains the difference between hospice and palliative care, explains the process, and gives us suggestions on how we can approach this subject of advance care planning with family members.

It's the season to say "thanks," but expressing your gratitude daily could help improve your health. Our guest for this episode is Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D. She graciously accepted our invitation to come back and tell us the benefits of gratitude on our mental and physical health. Dr. Scanlon encourages us to practice gratitude and mindfulness and see if you start to notice any difference. Dr. Scanlon, is a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at TTUHSC.

Many of us celebrate Halloween, Dia de los muertos, and even All Saints Day and All Souls Day -- the time of year when we remember loved ones who have passed away. These holidays also give us an opportunity to think about loved ones we lost and how we grieve. However, some people, regardless of age, can become overwhelmed by their grief. Prolonged grief disorder is when the feeling of intense grief persists and prevents someone from continuing on with their life. Our guest for this episode is Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry. Dr. Scanlon explains what prolonged grief disorder is, how they diagnose and treat it and what we can do for our family, friends or coworkers who are grieving.

Eating disorders can cause a lot of harm to children and adolescents, but treatment is available. Our guest for this episode is Rosa Gomez de Jesus, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician. Dr. Gomez explains the different types of eating disorders, warning signs, treatment and advice for parents and caregivers to help their children.

It’s the time of year when we go over the list of things we need to do to prepare for the fall and winter – take warmer clothes out of storage, get our cars serviced, prepare our lawns and gardens for the upcoming harsh weather and get vaccinated against flu, COVID and RSV. Our guest for this episode is Fiona Prabhu, M.D., School of Medicine Professor, Director of Community Engagement in the Department of Family Medicine and The Free Clinic Medical Director. She tells us what vaccines are available for us and how they work to protect us and others and what else we can do to prepare for the rest of the fall and winter so we can stay healthy and enjoy our time with our friends and family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity is a serious problem in the U.S. and puts children and adolescents at risk for poor physical and psychological health. How can parents and caregivers help their children manage their weight? That’s what Amanda Masters, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician and associate professor in the School of Medicine, answers for us. Dr. Masters also explains how obesity is measured and helps us debunk myths with the truth about childhood obesity.

Our guest for this episode, Christina Sanders, D.O., associate professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Department of Neurology and a pediatric rehabilitation medicine (PRM) and brain injury medicine (BIM) physician, goes over different types of brain injuries, symptoms, treatments and long-term effects of letting it go untreated. Dr. Sanders also gives us the basics on what we can do if someone hurts their head or if we suspect someone might have an injury.

There are few more painful or confusing experiences than a gallbladder attack. This episode's guest, Justin Vaughan, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians surgeon, explains what a gallbladder does and how gallstones are formed, what triggers an attack and the risks associated with not getting treatment.

The annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central and South America on Oct. 14 and it will be visible in parts of the U.S., with the greatest path visibility in Texas. Everyone should know by now not to stare directly at an eclipse but may not know why. Our guest, Kelly Mitchell, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians ophthalmologist, explains why we shouldn’t look directly at the eclipse and describes the damage it can do to our eyes. Dr. Mitchell also warns us about using our smart phones to look at the eclipse and gives us tips at how to enjoy the eclipse without harming our eyes.

Pinhole projection
ISO 12312-2 Standard for Solar Viewers

There are nearly 6 million children in the U.S. with asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What can you do if your child has asthma and how can you encourage them to be active without triggering an asthma attack? Our guest for this episode is Adaobi Kanu, M.D., is a pediatric pulmonologist for Texas Tech Physicians. She explains what asthma is, what causes it, what triggers attacks, what treatments are available and what parents and caregivers can do to keep their kiddos safe.

Plastic surgery is more than just improving someone's appearance. It involves much more, including procedures such as repairing complex wounds. For a variety of reasons, some people choose to get plastic surgery abroad, but they might come home with more complications. Guests for this episode, Bryce Stash, M.D., and Deepak Bharadia, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians surgeons, explain what plastic surgery is and how to choose a surgeon.

Alcohol use tends to be higher among college students compared to non-college youth. Frequent heavy drinking (binge drinking) can greatly increase one's chances of developing an alcohol use disorder, which can cause serious physical and emotional damage. This episode's guest explains the dangers of college binge drinking and alcohol abuse and provides strategies for students who would rather not drink. Christopher Townsend, Ph.D., is director for the School of Health Professions Your Life Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic and a licensed clinical addiction specialist.

How can parents and guardians and college students themselves make sure their first year of higher education is a fun yet safe and productive experience? Our guest for this episode is David Edwards, M.D., medical director for TTUHSC's Student Health Services, and associate professor of Sports Medicine in the School of Medicine. Dr. Edwards talks to us about physical and mental changes experienced by typical college students as well as how substances such as caffeine, alcohol and drugs affect development. He also gives us advice on managing stress, getting enough sleep and how to recognize when a student needs help.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl, are oftentimes mixed with other illicit drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin and marijuana, leaving many users unaware they were taking fentanyl. What does this mean for someone who is mentally ill or is taking other prescription medications? Our guest for this episode is Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., assistant professor in the School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and an addiction psychiatrist. She explains the problems that could arise from someone unknowingly taking fentanyl and also why even though marijuana is legal for recreational use in some states, patients should still talk to their doctor before indulging.

This is our last episode for the 2022-2023 season. We will return Aug. 22, 2023.

More than 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence. It can happen at any age too. For women, what are the causes and treatments? Guests for this episode are Melissa Sanford, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians urologist, and Kristen Sharma, Texas Tech Physicians urology family nurse practitioner. They answer our questions and explain what happens during a new patient visit because women don’t have to suffer in silence or shame. There is help.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2015-2019 Black men were 1.2 times and 1.7 times, respectively, more likely to have new cases of colon and prostate cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. Additionally, they have lower 5-year cancer survival rates for most cancer sites, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. We’re a few weeks past Men’s Health Month, but you should encourage the men (and women) in your life to get screened anytime of the year, especially for colorectal cancer. Our guest for this episode is Izi Obokhare, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians surgeon. He is the principal investigator for a grant project, Get FIT to Stay Fit program, which provides free kits for at home colorectal cancer screening. It is a grant-funded program through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death among children, youth and young adults under the age of 34. Adolescents who have had negative life experiences can be more prone to suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. It's something that we need to talk about more openly, says Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Dr. Scanlon tells us what warning signs to look out for, how to help someone who is struggling and where to get help.

Free and confidential services:

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lifeline Chat is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Spanish language: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 1-888-628-9454.

June is National Men's Health Month and our guests for this episode talked to us about testosterone. Pranav Sharma, M.D., division chief of urologic oncology, and clinical medical director and Melissa Bowyer, APRN, both in the Bernhard Mittemeyer Clinic at TTUHSC, explained what testosterone is and what it does and doesn't do, what causes low testosterone, what happens when someone starts testosterone replacement and what the process is before starting a patient on therapy.

For this special episode, we invited members of our university’s leadership to discuss health care and health sciences education in the past couple of years and what we can expect in the next few years as well. Guest host: TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D.

Guests: Ron Cook, D.O., MBA, TTUHSC chief health officer and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine; Sherry Sancibrian, Grover E. Murray Professor and associate dean for accreditation for the School of Health Professions; Brandt Schneider, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Charles Seifert, Pharm.D., regional dean for the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy; and Amanda Veesart, Ph.D., R.N., associate dean for the School of Nursing.

It’s the unofficial start of summer around here which means there is also the potential for injuries from burns. John Griswold, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians burn surgeon and medical director for the Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center. Dr. Griswold shares with us the kinds of burns he sees more often during the summer months and how we can avoid them. He also tells us how to treat less severe burns at home and when we should head to the emergency room.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) has been trending in the news and on social media. Many adults were diagnosed with ADHD over the COVID-19 pandemic, giving them answers to behavior they might not have been aware were symptoms of ADHD. Esther Schwartz, Ph.D., staff psychologist in the department of family and community medicine, is our guest for this episode. She explains the symptoms, testing and treatments for ADHD and how it’s not something that develops overnight.

Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems and adverse childhood experiences that can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity and wellbeing. Children with disabilities may be at higher risk for abuse or neglect than children without disabilities. Patti Patterson, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, tells us what makes children with special needs especially vulnerable to abuse and what we can do to keep these children safe.

May is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month and our guest this episode, Adaobi Kanu, M.D., answers our questions about CF. Dr. Kanu is pediatric pulmonology CF center director at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She tells us who is at risk for being diagnosed with CF, how treatments have improved in the past few years, and what you can do to help friends or loved ones with CF.

You may have heard about these new “weight loss” medications, whether it’s a celebrity or someone you know taking these medications to drop some pounds. Perhaps you’ve heard that some people with diabetes are having a difficult time paying for or finding this medication that they rely on. Either way, you probably have questions. Here to walk us through it is Drew Payne, D.O., internist at Texas Tech Physicians. Dr. Payne explains the differences and similarities of these medications and talks to us about setting a realistic weight loss goal. He also tells us the best way to lose weight, depending on your body, and why your health care provider is the best person to ask for advice on weight loss.

Get rid of your unused or expired meds at the upcoming Medication Cleanout scheduled for April 22. The event happens twice a year in Lubbock, Amarillo and Abilene, Texas.

Our guest for this episode is Jeanie Shawhart, Pharm.D. She is a pharmacist and managing director of the Texas Panhandle Poison Center. Dr. Shawhart explains why it’s important to get rid of those medication you’re not using anymore, even if you bought them over the counter. And don’t despair if you don’t live in any of those areas or miss the dates for Medication Cleanout. Just search online for “drug take back day” or “national prescription drug take back day” for a drop off location near you.

Acne can be a problem for us, including adults. What should you do if you get a pimple or an acne flare-up? Michelle Tarbox, M.D., is a dermatologist at Texas Tech Physicians and an associate professor at TTUHSC. Dr. Tarbox explains how acne forms, why we get it, how to treat it and what to do if we get a pimple right before an important event.

Be prepared before hitting the trails and know what to do in case of an emergency or how to avoid finding yourself in an emergency situation. Brian Kendall, M.D., emergency medicine, is a clinical assistant professor and clerkship director at TTUHSC. He shares with us what he packs in his first aid kit, how to avoid the most common injury and what to do in case of an emergency.

More than half of the world population works and we spend a significant amount of our lives at our jobs. How can we manage stress at work so that it doesn’t affect our home life and our physical health? Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., is this episode’s guest. She has advice and tips on how to handle the stress that comes along with starting or changing careers, working with people who are different from us and how to maintain a good life/work balance. Dr. Winkelman is an assistant professor and program director of the clinical mental health counseling in the department of clinical counseling and mental health.

It's 'Save Your Vision' month and we'd like to bring awareness to the effects of diabetes on vision, including blindness if left untreated. Kelly Mitchell, M.D., is our guest today. He is a Texas Tech Physicians ophthalmologist and professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Dr. Mitchell explains why people with diabetes are at risk for diabetic eye diseases, what those diseases are, symptoms, treatments and tells us why if you have been diagnosed with diabetes to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

There are some services we’ve come to expect to stay with us since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic—curbside pickup, groceries delivered to our door, remote working and virtual office visits or telemedicine. Our guest for this episode is Ariel Santos, M.D., trauma and acute care surgeon, associate professor and director of telemedicine for the School of Medicine. Dr. Santos explains the differences between telehealth and telemedicine, how he and other physicians use telemedicine, what the benefits are to using telemedicine and reveals which patients are most open to using virtual visits.

It’s nearly that time for spring allergies but some of us have been dealing with allergies year-round. What are our options for relief? James Tarbox, M.D., associate professor in the division of allergy and immunology in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, explains why some of us get respiratory allergies, why we shouldn’t expect relief after a heavy rainfall and he also answers our questions about valley fever.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, in the United States nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. During one year, this comes out to more than 10 million women and men. How does this relate to health care and what can you do if you’re in that situation or have a loved one in an abusive relationship? Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and an addiction psychiatrist. She talks to us about the link between an abusive relationship and addiction, the signs of an abusive relationship and what we can do to help victims of abuse.

Loving yourself and setting boundaries is important for your mental health and well-being. If you struggle with that, Alan Korinek, Ph.D., has helpful advice. Dr. Korinek is the managing director for the TTUHSC Employee Assistance Program and program of assistance for TTUHSC students. He reminds us consistency is important when it comes to setting boundaries.

It's always a good time to think about your heart health, even if you're young and active. This episode's guest is Scott Shurmur, M.D., Texas Tech physicians, cardiologist and Division Chief of Cardiology at TTUHSC. Dr. Shurmur talks to us about heart disease, what effect certain drugs can have on the heart, why younger people could be at risk for heart disease and why knowing your family history of heart disease is important.

Note: this episode was originally published Dec. 7, 2021, but the advice is still valid.

How does the winter weather affect our skin and hair? To explain what happens when our skin and hair become dry is Michelle Tarbox, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians dermatologist. She talks to us about what to use to keep our skin and hair hydrated, why we should pay special attention to young and old skin and tips for keeping our skin healthy when we travel.

It doesn't have to be the start of the year for you to resolve to exercise more or spend more time with your family. According to experts, it's better if you combine both activities--spend time being physically active with your family. Tammy Camp, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician and former Texas Pediatric Society president, and Suzana Jensen, D.O., TTUHSC pediatric resident and former student athlete, not only recommend that you exercise with your children, they tell us how they benefited from staying active with their kids. Both also have recommendations for those with disabilities and staving off burnout or problems of overuse.

The big lottery payoffs and big sports games have brought about the discussion of gambling. Some of us might consider it harmless, but for others the uncontrollable urge to gamble could lead to serious health issues. Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and is an addiction psychiatrist. Dr. Alag tells us why compulsive gambling is a medical condition, signs to look out for and how it’s treated.

Gambling anonymous survey: http://www.cahsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Gamblers-Anonymous-20Questions.pdf

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. With more than a quarter of a million people subjected to human trafficking globally, it is an issue of public health. Our guest for this episode explains what is human trafficking, who are the most vulnerable/what victims look like and what you can do if you suspect human trafficking. Julie St. John, DrPH, MPH, is an associate professor in the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health

This time of year can be stressful for many of us for several reasons. Alan Korinek, Ph.D., licensed marriage and family therapist and managing director for the TTUHSC Employee Assistance Program and program of assistance for TTUHSC students, suggests we set boundaries and advocate for ourselves in order to keep the stress at a manageable level.

This is the last podcast for the year and we will return in January 2023. Have a happy and save holiday break!

Some situations during the holidays could possibly be triggering for someone with PTSD. Helping us understand what PTSD is and how we can helped loved ones with PTSD is Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the TTUHSC School of Medicine's department of psychiatry. Dr. Scanlon reminds us to be considerate of those around us, especially at this time of year.

This time of year can bring lots of joy as well as heartache, both of which could trigger someone who is in recovery for addiction. Christopher Townsend, Ph.D., assistant professor at TTUHSC, is a licensed clinical addiction specialist and director of the Your Life Behavioral Health and Wellness Clinic at the TTUHSC. Dr. Townsend tells us what those in recovery can do to help them navigate possible triggers and how their friends and family can support them.

It’s always a good time to take care of your heart. Our guest for this episode is cardiologist and division chief of cardiology, Dr. Scott Shurmur. He explains how smoking leads to heart disease, goes over the symptoms and treatments of heart disease and breaks down how shoveling snow early in the morning could be dangerous for our health.

Did you know there are more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease and that more than 16 million American caregivers provide over 17 billion hours of unpaid care? Here to talk to us more about Alzheimer’s Disease and how caregivers can take care of themselves too is Dr. John Culberson, associate professor of family and community medicine at the School of Medicine and director of clinical geriatric programs at the university’s Garrison Institute on Aging.

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and we want to bring awareness to some health issues seen among military veterans of all ages. John Norbury, M.D., division chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Texas Tech Physicians is one of our guests. He describes some of these injuries and treatments and he also has some very useful advice for the rest of us to keep in mind, especially around the holidays. Also in this episode is Linnea Shirley, public affairs specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She shares with us her own experience with health issues and the care she’s received and also how other veterans can go about accessing services at the VA clinic.

November is national diabetes month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and about 1 in 5 people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Shaili Felton, M.D., is an endocrinologist for Texas Tech Physicians and an associate professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine’s department of internal medicine. Dr. Felton describes symptoms of diabetes, the dangers of leaving it untreated and how those with diabetes can take care of themselves during the holidays.

More people in the U.S. have discovered Día de los Muertos. Unlike Halloween, it's celebrated over several days and lifts up the spirits of the dead instead of fearing them. Michelle Saenz, licensed professional clinician associate and mental health clinician in the TTUHSC School of Medicine is the guest for this episode. She explains how Día de los Muertos is celebrated, how different cultures and religions grieve and how to talk to your child about death.

grief, grieving, children, spirits, halloween, dia de los muertos, emotions, decorate, Halloween

The cooler weather marks the return of respiratory illnesses so make sure you stay healthy by getting your vaccines and boosters! TTUHSC School of Medicine Dean Dr. Steven L. Berk and Dr. Ron Cook, TTUHSC chief health officer, are the guests for this episode. They explain why it’s important to get your boosters and vaccines, when we should schedule an appointment with our primary care provider if you’re not feeling well and what other illnesses or injuries to look out for this time of year.

Do you like to be frightened? Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the TTUHSC School of Medicine's department of psychiatry, explains that it’s healthy when it’s entertaining but warns about using it to escape our everyday lives. She also reminds us that just because we enjoy scary movies or haunted houses, they could be triggering for others.

New moms experience "baby blues" but serious problems arise sometimes. Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield, chair of the department of psychiatry in the School of Medicine, describes normal "baby blues," who is more susceptible for postpartum depression and what we can do to help loved ones. For health care providers, Dr. Wakefield talks about a resource available to help them to help new moms.

We process the outside world with our senses . For some, their senses do not function as they should because of a condition called sensory processing disorder. People with sensory processing disorder, also known as SPD, have a hard time receiving and responding to information that comes in from their senses. Dr. Cindi Tiongco, occupational therapist and assistant professor in the School of Health Professions, and Carolyn Perry, speech language pathologist, assistant professor and director of clinical education in the department of speech, language and hearing sciences, explain what it’s like for people with SPD, especially young children, and what we can do to help loved ones with SPD.

Click to donate to the Interprofessional Toy Fair and Expo.

Now's the time to check in with your child to see how they're coping after being in school a few weeks. Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield, chair of the department of psychiatry in the School of Medicine, gives us tips on how to talk to the kiddos about mental health. Dr. Wakefield also explains Vital Sign 6 and what resources are available for students to need access to mental health resources.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. Early detection leads to greater survival rates, so doctors recommend regular screenings starting at age 45. For a number of reasons, not everyone has access to screening. That’s where a $1 million CPRIT grant awarded to Drs. John Kidwell, Rebeccah Baucom and Rakshanda Rahman will help that underserved population. The grant will provide fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) at no cost to 15 counties in the Texas South Plans.

It’s that time of year to start preparing for going back to school. If you have little ones, tweens or teens at home, our guest for this episode, Dr. Ana Montanez, Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician, recommends you schedule a doctor's appointment for your child as soon as possible. Dr. Montanez explains why it’s important and what to expect during the visit, how to prepare yourself and your child for going back to school and the one thing she recommends giving your child for a successful school year.

Gilbert Berdine, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine at the TTUHSC School of Medicine, has not used an alarm clock for over 10 years. He shares tips on how you can get rid of your alarm clock, tells us what happens to our bodies while we sleep, what happens to those with sleep apnea and gives us his opinion on naps and when we should see a doctor.

Learn to manage anger in a healthy way. Alan Korinek, Ph.D., licensed marriage and family therapist and managing director for the TTUHSC employee assistance program and program of assistance for students, gives us tips on how to manage our anger.

Our topic for this episode is feet. Jerry Grimes, M.D., School of Medicine Associate Professor, and Program Director for the Department of Orthopedics is our guest. Dr. Grimes shares with us the most common foot injuries he treats, how we can protect our feet and ankles, whether or not smell indicates a problem and when you should make an appointment to see a doctor.

Consider everything we do with our hands on a daily basis and what you’d do if you developed problems with them. Bryan Bourland, D.O., TTP orthopedic hand surgeon and assistant professor in the School of Medicine, talked with us about what our hands can tell us about our health, how hand injuries are treated and gives us tips to protect our hands and our wrists, arms and shoulders.

We’re celebrating men’s health in June and focusing on urology in this episode. Our guest is Texas Tech Physicians urologist Pranav Sharma. Dr. Sharma goes over some common urology problems that affect men, what symptoms they shouldn’t ignore, what to expect from a screening, whether or not supplements help with issues and what parents and young children should look out for because even kiddos can develop kidney stones.

How can your protect yourself or loved ones from skin cancer? Michelle Tarbox, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians dermatologist, who spoke to us before about protecting our skin during the winter months, is our guest for this episode. Dr. Tarbox explains the different types of skin cancer, what doctors look for during a screening, how you can do your own self check, and how to protect your skin and that of your loved ones.

TTUHSC President Dr. Lori Rice-Spearman recently announced that the university received the Carnegie Classification of a Very High Research Activity University among special focus four-year institutions.

TTUHSC Senior Vice President of the Office of Research and Innovation Lance McMahon, Ph.D., is our guest for this episode. He explains what this newly announced classification means to the university, the type of research being done at TTUHSC, how it’s funded and how undergraduate and graduate students are involved in research too.

Did you know that someone who is severely bleeding could bleed to death in as little as 5 minutes? Do you have the skills necessary to stop the bleed in case of an emergency? This episode's guest explains why it's important to Stop the Bleed. Brittany Bankhead, M.D., is a trauma surgeon at Texas Tech Physicians and assistant professor of surgery at the TTUHSC School of Medicine.

It’s National Women’s Health Week but we think that women’s health should be a priority every week. And to coincide with the occasion, The Free Clinic is hosting the Women’s Health Day free clinic. Here to explain what to expect from the Women’s Health Day free clinic and to talk about women’s health in general are Dr. Fiona Prabhu, co-medical director for The Free Clinic and associate professor in the School of Medicine, and medical student Anna Farooqi.

Call (806) 319-5291 to make an appointment.

Have you considered what happens to your body after you die? There are several options available, including donating our whole body for medical training. To explain the Willed Body Program at the TTUHSC Institute of Anatomical Sciences Willed Body Program are Dr. Kerry Gilbert, co-director of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences, and Jason Jones, director of the Willed Body Program. They clarify who qualifies to donate, how the remains are used, what happens after studies are completed and how we honor these patients on Memorial Day.

Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of someone’s body. Those with lupus see their immune system attack healthy tissue.

For this episode, we have three guests: Roger Sutton, Ph.D., professor of cell physiology and molecular biophysics in the School of Medicine, and two members of his lab, MD/Ph.D. student, Johanna Villarreal and Ph.D. student, Joey McCord. The three of them talk to us about lupus -- diagnosis, symptoms, treatment -- and their research on lupus.

Organization mentioned:
Lupus Research Alliance
Lubbock Lupus Group (Facebook)
Lubbock Lupus Group (Instagram)

April is Child Abuse Prevention month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. This episode's guest is Patti Patterson, M.D., a professor of Pediatrics, Public Health and Medical Education, and the Director of Child Abuse Pediatrics at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Patterson has been recognized for her contributions in pediatrics and public health and for her dedication to the health and welfare of the children of Texas. She shares with us how we can recognize child abuse, what we can do to prevent child abuse, the longterm effects child abuse has on children and what resources are available to caregivers and children.

Aphasia is a condition many of us have only recently heard about. Melinda Corwin, Ph.D., is a professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and director of the Stroke & Aphasia Recovery (StAR) Program. Dr. Corwin tells us what aphasia is, how it’s diagnosed and how it’s treated.

It's been a little over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. To mark the occasion, Texas Tech Physicians pulmonologists, Dr. Victor Test, and Dr. Ebtesam Islam, describe those early day, the first surge, how they persevered, and the lasting effects of COVID-19 on patients and themselves.

Match Day is a nerve-wracking event that has played out on medical school campuses across the country since 1952. What is Match Day? It's the day fourth-year students open their envelopes to find out where they will spend the next three to seven years as residents and what specialty they will pursue for their professional career.

TTUHSC School of Medicine Dean Steven L. Berk explains what medical students have been through leading up to Match Day, why it is important and what happens if they don't get their first choice. Dr. Berk also tells us why this year was different for students and shares with us where he did and didn't match.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, every nine seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury. One in every 60 Americans live with a traumatic brain injury related disability.

Our guest for this episode on brain injury awareness is Dr. John Norbury, TTUHSC School of Medicine associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) and division chief of PMR. He also is medical director of the brain injury unit at Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital of Lubbock.

He explains what it means to have a brain injury, different types of brain injuries, symptoms of brain injuries and treatment.

The number of US adults who identify as LGBTQ+ has increased—double the percentage from 2012, according to a new poll released by Gallup.

What this means for their health care is the topic for this episode. Guest Dr. Kelly Bennett, a family medicine physician at Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor at TTUHSC, talked to us about important health issues for people who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as explaining the acronym, the use of pronouns and how to find a primary care provider.

We’re ending American Heart Month with a look another look at the heart, specifically learning to deal with heartache. Giving us insight and advice on how to deal with conflict with our partners, family members and ourselves is licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Alan Korinek, managing director for the TTUHSC Employee Assistance Program and program of assistance for TTUHSC students.

We handed this episode on COVID-19 testing to the experts. TTUHSC President Dr. Lori Rice-Spearman asked current chair of the department of laboratory sciences and primary care Dr. Wade Redman to explain at-home COVID-19 testing and results, which is the most reliable or the gold standard COVID-19 test, how often should we retest and why we shouldn't try to cheat the tests.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Provost and Dr. Darrin D'Agostino answers our questions related to COVID-19, how to keep from getting sick, who is most vulnerable to the illness, which masks are best and how you can plan a safe spring break.

February is American Hearth Month and Texas Tech Physicians cardiologist Dr. Scott Shurmur is our guest for this episode. He’s here to talk to us about what the heart does, heart disease and other diseases that can affect the heart and what we can do to improve our hearth health.

January is cervical health awareness month and we’re encouraging women to get screened for cervical cancer. Screening rates have declined during the pandemic even though routine screenings are the most effective way to detect cervical cancer.

Our guest expert for this episode is Dr. Sarah Hosford, Texas Tech Physicians OB/GYN and gynecologic oncologist. Dr. Hosford explains cervical cancer, treatment, screenings and prevention.

PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder can affect anyone at any age and anyone who has experienced a shocking, scary or dangerous event. Here to talk to us about how it affects us, how to treat it and how to help others cope with it is Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield is chair of the department of psychiatry at the TTUHSC School of Medicine.

If you plan to start the year on a health kick, you might consider scheduling an annual physical. Frank Babb, M.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine associate professor and Texas Tech Physicians family medicine doctor explains what happens during a physical, how often we should get them and what you should do to prepare for your exam.

You might be considering adding losing weight to your list of resolutions for next year. Dr. Drew Payne, an internal medicine practitioner for Texas Tech Physicians and an associate professor for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine, has advice on how to start your weight loss journey so that it's effective and healthy. For those not looking to lose weight, Dr. Payne has suggestions on how to maintain a healthy weight.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 14.5 million people 12 years of age and older battle alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is the country’s most abused substance, and other than cigarettes, dealing with alcohol-related issues creates more costs per capita than do all other drugs combined.

This episode's guest is Susan Bergeson, Ph.D., a University Distinguished Professor for the Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine. She explains that while the addiction spotlight has turned toward the opioid epidemic in recent years, more people continue to die annually from alcohol use disorder. Bergeson discusses her research on a drug to treat alcohol use disorder, reminds us addiction is an illness and what we can do to support those with problems with addiction.

How does the winter weather affect our skin and hair? To explain what happens when our skin and hair become dry is Dr. Michelle Tarbox, Texas Tech Physicians dermatologist. She talks to us about what to use to keep our skin and hair hydrated, why we should pay special attention to young and old skin and tips for keeping our skin healthy when we travel.

Thomas McGovern Ed.D., from the TTUHSC School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry shares advice on how we can persevere when times are tough and how during the holidays we can honor friends and family members who have died.

As you make plans for your holiday gatherings with your family, make a point of asking about your family’s health history and consider sharing your personal medical wishes and any necessary forms. Why should you do this now? Take advantage of having everyone at one place and being able to share with others as well and it’s always better to plan ahead.

Dr. Kelly Klein, Texas Tech Physicians family medicine doctor and program director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, tells us why the holidays are a great time to bring up these topics with your family and friends.

Texas Tech Physicians surgeon Dr. John Griswold gives advice on how to avoid injuries during the holidays, what we should include in our travel first aid kit and other ways to avoid at trip to the ER.

People who have a healthy lung capacity can send oxygen around their body faster but unhealthy lungs can slow us down or even make it difficult for us to talk. Smoking and vaping leads to unhealthy lungs. The Great American Smokeout this year is Nov. 18 but you don’t have to wait until then to stop smoking; your lungs and those of your loved ones will thank you. Here to talk to us more about healthy lungs and lung health is Texas Tech Physicians pulmonologist and TTUHSC Associate Professor Dr. Ebtesam Islam.

Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition that affects how our body turns food into energy. Who is at risk? What are some changes you can do now avoid being diagnosed or if you have been, what can you do to keep it under control? Here to talk to us more about diabetes is Dr. Shaili Felton, endocrinologist with Texas Tech Physicians and TTUHSC associate professor.

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Kelly Bennett, a family medicine physician at Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor at TTUHSC. Dr. Bennett talked to us about seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a form of depression that’s common during this time of year in the northern hemisphere when the days get shorter and we’re exposed to less sunlight. Dr. Bennett also talked to us about good sleeping habits and why it’s important for our health that we get proper rest.

In 2018 there were 5.8 billion prescriptions filled in the US. Nearly 50 percent of the US population takes a prescription medication. How can you be sure you are buying your medications from a safe and legal pharmacy?

Charles Seifert, Pharm. D., senior executive associate dean and Lubbock regional dean for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, explains how you can buy safe prescription medications in person and online.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, the latest year for which incidence data are available, in the United States, more than 1.7 million new cases of cancer were reported, and just under 600 thousand people died of cancer. For every 100,000 people, 436 new cancer cases were reported and 149 people died of cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer and cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. One of every four deaths in the United States is due to cancer.

This episode's guest is Dr. Catherine Jones, an oncologist for Texas Tech Physicians, associate professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Internal Medicine and medical director of the UMC Cancer Center.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the US with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that causes sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, watery eyes and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth. Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or perennial and can occur in spring, summer and/or early fall.

Here to talk to us about respiratory allergies is Texas Tech Physicians allergist and immunologist Dr. James Tarbox.

All of us age. There’s nothing we can do about it but the one thing we can somewhat control is how we approach aging. The director of clinical geriatric programs at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging Dr. John Culberson says that the best way to age gracefully is to stay active, eat healthy and to stay social.

Texas Tech Physicians surgeon, Director for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Clinical Research Institute, and University Medical Center Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center medical director Dr. John Griswold is this episode's featured guest. He explains what is sepsis, who is at risk for getting it, what are the symptoms, and why it's important to pay attention to the signs of sepsis and get immediate medical attention.

Welcome to our new name--Texas Tech Health Check. Our new name reflects our goal to bring you evidence based health advice. Guests for this episode are TTUHSC Executive Vice President and Dean of the School of Medicine, Steven L. Berk, M.D., and Ron Cook, D.O., TTUHSC chief health officer and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Lubbock Health Authority. Topics: COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, who should get a vaccine, when we can expect vaccines for young children and what we can do for frontline workers to show our appreciation.

As most of us get ready to return to the office or get our children ready to go back to school, keep in mind what vaccines or boosters you, your loved ones or your children should get before going back to school or work. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Richard Lampe, Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician and expert on infectious disease.

Link to "The Vaccine Song" that talks about the history of vaccines that Dr. Lampe mentioned: https://youtu.be/u1xw0Ob5bqs (Words and music by Ted Willmore)

How can we practice good, oral health? This episode’s guest Dr. Joe Cordero, ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon at Texas Tech Physicians and chair of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ENT Department tells us what to look for when self-checking for oral cancer.

Approximately one in 25 adults in the US will experience a swallowing problem. That’s difficulty or pain when swallowing or not being able to swallow at all—whether it’s liquids, food or saliva. Getting treatment from a speech-language pathologist can help. In this episode, Dr. Angela Van-Sickle, assistant professor, at the TTUHSC School of Health Professions, explains what causes someone to have a problem swallowing, how to get treatment and what we can do now to try to prevent having this problem in the future.

In part two of our look at mental health, TTUHSC Associate Professor and Licensed Psychologist Stephanie L. Moses, Ph.D., joins us once again from the Permian Basin to talk about how to manage stress, depression and anxiety; when to seek professional help; how to talk to your children about managing stressful situations; reminds us that it’s OK to not be OK and to tell our loved ones that you see them and that you care.

In part one of a two-part series, TTUHSC Associate Professor and Licensed Psychologist Stephanie L. Moses, Ph.D., checks in on us and how we are doing, especially over such an uncertain and stressful time and reminds us to advocate for our mental health.

Hearing loss affects young and old alike and you are never too young or too old to protect your hearing. There is also help, Hearing aids have come a long way--high-tech tiny computers have replaced the clunky, "banana" hearing aids.

This episode's guest is Dr. Renee Zimmerman, assistant professor in the TTUHSC School of Health Professions.

Dr. John Kidwell, colorectal surgeon at Texas Tech Physicians and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, talks to us about colon cancer, why early detection is key and walks us through what happens during a colonoscopy—one of the most common ways to screen for colon cancer—a disease that is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related deaths.

Kathryn Crain, senior director of clinical operations for the Department of Surgery at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, explains how health care providers and patients embraced telemedicine thanks to the pandemic.

Jeanie Jaramillo-Stametz, Pharm.D., and Ronica Farrar from the Texas Panhandle Poison Center explain what to do with your unused and expired medications and why we shouldn't keep them around.

Guest Dr. Matthew Grisham talks about good gut health: why it’s important; what to look out for; what to do to get your gut back in check. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2015, an estimated 1.3% of US adults (3 million) reported being diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).

Dr. Grisham is Chair and professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, explains how the procedure works. Also hear a first-hand account from a patient who was treated with TMS.

TTUHSC School of Medicine Associate Program Director for Internal Medicine Residency Dr. Drew Payne tells us about the different symptoms associated with COVID-19 and the aftereffects of COVID-19 on the body. Dr. Payne also reminds us that physicians are here to help us.

In this episode, part 2 on vaccines, TTUHSC School of Medicine Dean Steven Berk tells us about the COVID-19 vaccines, the reasons why someone would choose to get vaccinated and explains how herd immunity works.

In this episode, which was recorded on Dec. 9, 2020, Dr. Afzal Siddiqui, researcher and Grover E. Murray Distinguished Professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, gives us a close look at vaccines—how they are developed, how they work and what we can expect from the new COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Siddiqui’s passion for vaccines isn’t limited to his work. His son and his daughter, both physicians and frontline workers, are expected to be among the first ones receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nurse and lactation consultant Dr. Jeannette Crenshaw joins us in this episode to discuss breastfeeding, not just during the pandemic, but during normal times as well.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding
AAP https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/default.aspx
Breastfeeding resources for mothers and families and FAQs http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/faqs
Breastfeeding resources from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/index.htm
COVID and breastfeeding
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/contraindications-to-breastfeeding.html

Dr. Christopher Townsend, assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions department of clinical counseling and mental health, explains what people can do to stay in recovery during the pandemic and how their friends and family can help. He also reminds everyone during these uncertain times to "Be good to yourself. Be intentional about being good to yourself."

Severe headaches or migraines impact more than 15% of Americans aged 18 years or older. The pain can be incredibly debilitating and is considered to be one of the main causes of disability worldwide.

Texas Tech Physicians (TTP) Family Medicine Physician Evelyn Sbar, M.D., and TTP nurse practitioner Nichole Campbell, APRN, NP-C, discuss chronic headaches and migraines and treatments available.

To learn more about the TTP Headache Clinic, call (806) 414-9559.

Websites mentioned in this episodehttps://headaches.org/

https://migraine.com/

Apps mentioned in this episode

http://www.iheadache.com/

https://migrainebuddy.com/

This episode’s guest is Dr. Jennifer Phy, professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. With September being polycystic ovary syndrome (PSOC) awareness month and PCOS affecting 1 out of 10 women of childbearing age, Dr. Phy explains the symptoms and complications and how to talk to your primary care physician about PCOS.

PCOS Study Information

Email: jennifer.phy@ttuhsc.edu
Deadline: Sept. 20, 2020

PCOS-Diet Website

As we experience new situations and uncertainty during the pandemic, Dr. Nancy Trevino, director, Texas Tech Mental Health Initiative, reminds everyone to not be so hard on themselves and others. She also offers tips on how adults and children can ease into wearing masks and what the alternatives are, and what we can do if we find ourselves feeling blue.

Sources named in this episode:

Starcare Mental Health Crisis Line:
- 806-740-1414
- Toll Free: 800-687-7581
Suicide Prevention App
- https://my3app.org/

Should you wear a mask in public? How does it relate to your health and those around you? That’s the topic for our two-part series on masks. In this episode, TTUHSC School of Medicine Dean Steven L. Berk will uncover the science behind the masks. Dr. Berk is also TTUHSC executive vice president and an infectious disease physician.

In Part 1, TTUHSC School of Medicine Dean Dr. Steven L. Berk explain how masks trap the coronavirus and protect others. Part 2 of our mask series looks at how wearing a mask in public affects those around you—not only physically but socially.

Dr. Jeff Dennis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health in the TTUHSC Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences will give us the public health aspect to wearing masks.

Part two of our interview with Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield, chair of the department of psychiatry at TTUHSC School of Medicine. Part one focused on children’s mental health and why good and open communication with your children is important. In part two, Dr. Wakefield tells us how to deal with anxiety, especially in the era of the 24-hour news cycle, why it’s OK to show your child you have different emotions, and also show that you can cope with your emotions, how children and adults can use a transitional object to deal with change, gives us tips on what to do to improve our overall well-being, including self-care and addresses the stigma surrounding depression and why people should seek help.

This is part one of our interview with Dr. Sarah Mallard Wakefield, chair of the department of psychiatry, TTUHSC School of Medicine. She explains how to build good and open communication with your children and the difference between fixing things for your child and showing them support. Dr. Wakefield also tells us her thoughts on screen time and social media and why it’s OK to let your child get bored.

In our first episode, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell shares his leadership and work styles, how he empowers people do their best and how he almost practiced law instead of medicine. Dr. Mitchell also gives us an insight into the "magic pill" that keeps him healthy and can work for us too.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek immediate medical advice from your physician or health care provider before starting a new health care regimen or for questions regarding your health or medical condition.

In the next few days, we’ll be launching a health and wellness podcast, On the Mend. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center experts in health care will share advice and reminders to help us stay healthy—mentally and physically.