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Global health headlines have recently been dominated by hantavirus. With several confirmed cases and tragic fatalities, you might be wondering how this family of viruses typically associated with rural and agricultural regions appeared in the middle of the ocean. You might also wonder if you or your loved ones are at risk. Our guest expert for this episode is Tushi Singh, M.D., a pulmonologist with Texas Tech Physicians. She answers for us: What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; what symptoms should we look out for; how is it diagnosed; how the virus spreads; how we can protect ourselves and more importantly, how it’s treated because yes, people have been successfully treated.

Singh's previous episdes:

• When Breathing Gets Hard: Understanding COPD
• Clearing the Air: The Truth About Vaping and Lung Health
• Smoking, Vaping as a Coping Mechanism

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Every year from May 6 - 12, we celebrate National Nurses Week. For this episode, we invited three nurses who, when combined, have over 130 years of experience. Cathy Galey, Cynthia Hester and Donna Thames sat with us and shared their insights on how they became interested in nursing, their experience in nursing school and training, challenges and changes to their careers, the impact of technology on patient care, what advice they have for future nurses and the most rewarding part of their careers.

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Menopause is a natural part of aging, yet it remains one of the most scary and misunderstood stages of a woman’s life. For this episode, our guest expert helps us separate fact from fiction regarding this transition. David Rogers, M.D., an OB/GYN with Texas Tech Physicians and associate professor and vice chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the TTUHSC School of Medicine, joins us to talk about the basics of menopause — what is actually happening in the body during this shift, the common symptoms to look out for, and the truth behind some of the most persistent myths. Dr. Rogers also provides insights into how women can manage their health during this phase and how to advocate for themselves.

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and child abuse isn’t always easy to spot. For this episode, our guest expert talks to us about child neglect and its effect on children. Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant program director at the clinical mental health counseling program with the School of Health Professions answers our questions about neglect –- how it affects a child physically and mentally, the difference between the occasional lapse in parenting and neglect, and how being neglected as a child affects someone as an adult and their relationships with other adults. Dr. Jennings also gives us tips on what we can do to help others who might be at risk for neglect.

Previously with Dr. Jennings

• Hope and Healing: Preventing Child Abuse in Our Community

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Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S., but about 8% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Guest expert for this episode, Tyler Mouw, M.D., is chief and fellowship program director for the division of surgical oncology, and a surgical oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians and assistant professor in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Mouw explains what the pancreas does, goes over the different types of pancreatic cancer, risk factors, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and how to lower our risks.

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At some point, nearly all of us will experience back pain. If and how we recover depends on the type of back pain and sometimes our fear of pain. Phil Sizer, Ph.D., PT, is a physical therapist and Endowed Professor in Pain Science as well as Associate Vice President for Research Innovation at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Sizer explains the different kinds of back pain and causes, treatment, when surgery is the best option and most important, how fear of pain can hinder one's treatment.

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Some claim that smoking helps make them calm, but the cigarette or vape is more than likely what caused them to feel irritable and anxious in the first place. For this episode, produced by our media relations intern Haely Shirley, we find out the effects of smoking, vaping and related products on young adults bodies and their mental health and the improvement on both when you quit those products. Our experts for this episode are well known to our listeners, Poorvanshi Alag, M.D., psychiatrist, and Tushi Singh, pulmonologist, both with Texas Tech Physicians.

Related episodes:

• The Great Escape: Breaking Free from Nicotine Addiction
• Clearing the Air: The Truth About Vaping and Lung Health

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Vasectomies are minor surgical procedures intended to provide permanent contraception. They are a simpler, faster, safer and less expensive procedure compared to tubal ligation or hysterectomy. It's also not unusual to schedule the procedure around televised sports events. Mar Moncrief, PA, urology, Texas Tech Physicians, explains what patients can expect when they undergo the procedure. She describes who is an ideal candidate and how they should prepare, including discussing the decision with their partners. Moncrief also corrects some myths and rumors about vasectomies and why it's important to take recovery and post-vasectomy analysis seriously.