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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.

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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.

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Talk with your friends and family and you might get the impression that a meniscus injury is common. What are the options available for repair? Matthew Kraeutler, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Texas Tech Physicians, goes over the options, including a meniscus transplant. He tells us who is a good candidate for a transplant and what recovery is like and what happens if you ignore the injury.

Dr. Kraeutler's Previous episodes

• Hip Arthroscopy: Small Incisions, Big Impact
• Knee Health Matters: Preservation Before Replacement
• Hip Preservation Surgery: When and Why to Consider It

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Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The disease affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., including those who are non-Hispanic Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino and also affects people from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, and Arabs. Lukeman Tijani, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. He describes what sickle cell disease is and does to the organs; screenings, symptoms and treatment; why it's important for those with sickle cell disease to see a physician in the early stages of family planning and debunks myths about the disease.

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As GLP-1 medications become available in pill form, some people might be curious to try them. Drew Payne, D.O., an internal medicine physician with Texas Tech Physicians, explains what these and other weight loss medications and procedures do and their effects on type 2 diabetes. He also talks about what happens when patients stop taking these medications and stresses why it's important to get treatment from a physician who can help with weight loss goals while keeping the patient's health a priority.

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According to a new study from the American Cancer Society, more people are reaching the 5-year milestone following a cancer diagnosis. The report states that seven in 10 people now live five years after their diagnosis. Why is that 5-year important? Why have survival rates improved dramatically? That’s what our expert for this episode is here to tell us. Jasmine Sekhon, M.D., is a hematologist and oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. She gives us insight into which cancers are still lagging behind this 5-year milestone and why and what part screenings play when it comes to survival rates.

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Tonsils are part of the immune system and especially crucial for children under three years of age, but they may also cause recurrent infections and health issues. Guest expert Adbul Alsaleh, M.D., a pediatric ENT at Texas Tech Physicians, tells us what options are available when discussing a tonsillectomy or coblation.

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Dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., and there are about 400,000 older adults living with dementia in Texas. In rural communities, health care providers have an urgent need for additional dementia training. To address this need, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Garrison Institute on Aging (GIA) and the TTUHSC F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health are offering a 6-part, 1-hour virtual learning series on dementia care for providers.

First, what is dementia and why do rural areas present challenges when treating dementia? Our team of guest experts answer that question and more. Guests for this episode are: Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., director, GIA Memory Comprehensive Memory Clinic; Erin Baker, Project ECHO Coordinator; and Janie De La Cerda, Project ECHO Coordinator.

Additional information:

• The Dementia Care ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Program runs Jan. 28 through April 8, 2026. Register for the program here.
• Learn more about the TTUHSC GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic here.
• Contact the GIA Comprehensive Memory Clinic: 806-743-9401 or GIAMC@ttuhsc.edu