Texas Tech Health Check

Weight Management: Payne

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. 

Alcohol Use Disorder: Bergeson

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 C...

Winter Skin, Hair: Tarbox

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. 

Spirituality: McGovern

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.

Family Medical History, Directives: Klein

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...

Avoiding Injuries: Griswold

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. 

Lung health: Islam

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 D...

Diabetes: Felton

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.

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Sleep: Bennett

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.

Prescription Drugs: Seifert

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.

Breast Cancer: Jones

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, exce...

Allergies: Tarbox

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,...

Healthy Aging: Culberson

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. 

Sepsis: Griswold

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.

COVID-19: Berk and Cook

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 childr...

Take Your Best Shot

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 Willmo...

Oral Health and Cancer

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. 

Swallowing Disorders

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 ...

Balance Your Intake, Balance Your Stress (Part 2)

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.

Balance Your Intake, Balance Your Stress (Part 1)

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.

Balance Your Intake, Balance Your Stress

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: Tips for Protecting Hearing, Advances in Hearing Aids

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.

Colon Cancer: Early Detection is Crucial

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. 

Telemedicine: Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

Medication Safety

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.

Listen to Your Gut

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.

Relief, Hope for Those With Severe Depression

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.

How to Survive the Holidays

Long-term Effects of COVID-19

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.

Vaccines: A Primer (Part 1)

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 ...

Vaccines: The Booster (Part 2)

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.

Expert Advice on Lactation and Breastfeeding

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...

Expert Advice on Lactation and Breastfeeding

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...

Recovery: Stop and Smell the Roses

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."

Help for Headaches

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 e...

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

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: [email protected] Deadline: Sept. 20, 2020 PCOS-Diet Website

Starting 'Anew' During a Pandemic

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 ht...

Cover Up: Save a Life (Part 1)

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.

Cover Up: Save a Community (Part 2)

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.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

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...

Communicating With Children

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. 

President's Prescription

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 start...

Introduction

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.