Texas Tech Health Check

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.