On the Mend

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. 

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.

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.

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"

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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 would, 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. 

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.  

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.

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, M.D., 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 800-327-0328National Suicide Prevention LifelineCall or text 988If 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.