Texas Tech Health Check

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.