It’s been 70 years since the first bariatric surgery, and weight loss continues to dominate headlines. As you’ve heard our experts stress before, effective weight loss strategies emphasize changes in habits for long-term weight loss and overall health. Sima Shahbandar, M.D., an internal medicine doctor with Texas Tech Physicians at the TTP Multispecialty Clinic in the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital, talks to us about bariatric surgery and how small, consistent changes can lead to significant weight loss and improved overall health.

You may have heard about encephalitis being a possible threat in certain areas of the world, but if you’re like me, you might not know much else. Although we hear about it happening somewhere else in the world, it doesn’t mean we’re immune to it here in the U.S. Our guest for this episode is Walter Duarte, M.D., a neurologist with the TTUHSC School of Medicine. Dr. Duarte explains what encephalitis is, how you get it, who is at risk, what are the symptoms and why early detection is key to effective treatment.

Hearing loss in rural adolescents is almost double that of the general population of children. We might think of rural areas as peaceful and quiet, but sometimes it gets loud enough to cause harm. Our expert for this episode is Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., Director of the Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing Research in the Doctor of Audiology Program of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions. Reel talks about hearing loss risks, diagnosis and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss in adolescents.

This is the final installment of our three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part three focuses on the impact of AI on health care providers. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing

This is part two of a three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part two focuses on the impact of AI on health care education, including the benefits and challenges. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing

This is part one of a three-part series on artificial intelligence in health care for patients, in education and for providers. Part one focuses on the impact of AI for the general public and how it is used to improve everything from patient education and preventive care to diagnostics and personalized medicine. Our guests for this series are: Dr. Steph Hoelscher, DNP and associate professor, and Dr. Grace Sun, DNP and associate professor, both from the School of Nursing.

Learn to be mindful of your mental health during election season. If you're feeling overwhelmed by campaign ads or dreading talking to loved ones, coworkers or neighbors because they bring up politics, you're not alone. Our guest for this episode is Madison Bishop, LMFT, senior therapist at the Department of Psychiatry's Counseling Center's employee assistance program. Bishop gives us tips on how we can stay informed but keeping in mind to protect our mental health.

Is it allergies? Is it a cold or is it something else that's making us sneeze and cough? If you do find yourself with a runny nose or cough, is it better to stay home and eat chicken soup or to visit your primary care provider or even go to the emergency room? Our guest for this episode is Rafael Rosalez, M.D., a family medicine doctor with Texas Tech Physicians at the TTP Multispecialty Clinic in the UMC Health and Wellness Hospital. Dr. Rosalez goes over the different respiratory problems which could affect us any time of the year, what we can do to prevent getting sick or making other sick and what we can keep at home to make us feel better if we do feel sick.

Consider the largest organ in the body. Look after it and it'll take care of you. Our guest for this episode is Patti May, M.D., TTUHSC School of Medicine’s Family and Community Medicine Department and is with Texas Tech Physicians at UMC Health and Wellness Hospital.  Dr. May tells us that it’s never too early to pay attention to your skin for preventative measures. She also explains that there are differences when it comes to Botox treatment for men and women and how you can prepare before meeting with the doctor to embark on a journey to discover how embracing our unique beauty contributes to a healthier, happier life.

What does it mean to be jealous or envious in a relationship? What does it do to our mental and physical health? Our guest for this episode is Robert Ragland, licensed professional counselor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Employee Assistance Program. He explains the differences between jealousy and envy and why we sometimes feel jealous or envious – whether it's in a romantic or platonic relationship or perhaps even at work or while on social media.

Advances in detection and treatment for prostate cancer has improved so much that it's possible that patients are left with less dramatic side effects than those of past years. The key to this is early detection. Pranav Sharma, M.D., division chief of urologic oncology and clinical medical director, tells us who should get tested and when, who is at greater risk for prostate cancer and he explains what treatment is available and why sometimes not treating it is an option.

Children eye diseases and conditions are common, but certain diseases can only be cured if caught before they turn two. Temiloluwa Abikoye, M.D., an ophthalmologist, specializing in pediatric ophthalmology at Texas Tech Physicians, describes and explains these conditions and diseases. Dr. Abikoye also tell us what physicians look out for and what parents should pay attention to in their children, especially infants.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and more prevalent among Black and Hispanic populations. Matt Porter, M.D., is an ophthalmologist in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. Dr. Porter explains the different types of glaucoma and treatments and how it affects our vision. He also demystifies the myth that only older adults get glaucoma and stresses why we should get checked for it.

Self-care isn't selfish. It's taking time to do the things that will help improve your physical and mental health. Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., assistant professor in the department of psychiatry, explains the different kinds of self-care and why it's important to practice, even small acts of self-care.

One of the things our experts agree on for improving our health, in addition to quitting smoking, is getting daily exercise. Move that body. How do you start or how do you get back to exercising if it’s been a while? Here to tell us how to ease into it is Toby Brooks,  Ph.D., associate professor and program director of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Master of Athletic Training. Brooks has worked as an athletic trainer and/or strength and conditioning coach with numerous professional, collegiate, and high school athletics programs.

Since the pandemic, many of us have seen an increase in the time we spend in front of screens – whether it’s placing an order for food or a delivery, scheduling an appointment, doing homework or chatting with friends or family. That additional time in front of screens could be harming our physical and mental health. Our guest for this episode is Logan Winkelman, Ph.D., assistant professor and program director for the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Winkelman tells why some of us can’t stop looking at our smartphones or tablets and what happens to our health when we spend too much time looking at our phones. She also has tips on how to limit screen time and reminds us to set our phones down and enjoy the moment – that is after you finish listening to this episode. Spotify 2023 top episode with Winkelman: "Taking Care of Your Mental Health at Work"

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time dedicated to help the public understand the benefit of this type of serious-illness care and the importance of advance care planning. Our guest for this episode is Kelly Klein, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians Department of Family Medicine and associate professor in the TTUHSC School of Medicine. Dr. Klein explains the difference between hospice and palliative care, explains the process, and gives us suggestions on how we can approach this subject of advance care planning with family members.

It's the season to say "thanks," but expressing your gratitude daily could help improve your health. Our guest for this episode is Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D. She graciously accepted our invitation to come back and tell us the benefits of gratitude on our mental and physical health. Dr. Scanlon encourages us to practice gratitude and mindfulness and see if you start to notice any difference. Dr. Scanlon, is a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at TTUHSC.

Many of us celebrate Halloween,  Dia de los muertos, and even All Saints Day and All Souls Day -- the time of year when we remember loved ones who have passed away. These holidays also give us an opportunity to think about loved ones we lost and how we grieve. However, some people, regardless of age, can become overwhelmed by their grief. Prolonged grief disorder is when the feeling of intense grief persists and prevents someone from continuing on with their life. Our guest for this episode is Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry. Dr. Scanlon explains what prolonged grief disorder is, how they diagnose and treat it and what we can do for our family, friends or coworkers who are grieving.

Eating disorders can cause a lot of harm to children and adolescents, but treatment is available. Our guest for this episode is Rosa Gomez de Jesus, M.D., Texas Tech Physicians pediatrician. Dr. Gomez explains the different types of eating disorders, warning signs, treatment and advice for parents and caregivers to help their children.