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 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. 

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, 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.