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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.

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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 receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

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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.org/faqs   
• Breastfeeding resources from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/index.htm  
• COVID and breastfeeding
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html 
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/contraindications-to-breastfeeding.html 

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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."

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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 episode
https://headaches.org/

 https://migraine.com/

Apps mentioned in this episode

http://www.iheadache.com/

 https://migrainebuddy.com/

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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

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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
  • https://my3app.org/

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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.

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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.

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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 a transitional object to deal with change, gives us tips on what to do to improve our overall well-being, including self-care and addresses the stigma surrounding depression and why people should seek help.