Texas Tech Health Check

As we age, our memory begins to fail us, but for many it becomes a significant challenge for them and their caregivers. Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and director for the TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging Memory Clinic, tells about symptoms to look out for and the importance of early diagnosis.
The TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging is holding several events during Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

More people in the U.S. have discovered Día de los Muertos. Unlike Halloween, it's celebrated over several days and lifts up the spirits of the dead instead of fearing them. Michelle Saenz, licensed professional clinician associate and mental health clinician in the TTUHSC School of Medicine is the guest for this episode. She explains how Día de los Muertos is celebrated, how different cultures and religions grieve and how to talk to your child about death.

It’s always a good time to take care of your heart. Our guest for this episode is cardiologist and division chief of cardiology, Dr. Scott Shurmur. He explains how smoking leads to heart disease, goes over the symptoms and treatments of heart disease and breaks down how shoveling snow early in the morning could be dangerous for our health.

Learn to manage anger in a healthy way. Alan Korinek, Ph.D., licensed marriage and family therapist and managing director for the TTUHSC employee assistance program and program of assistance for students, gives us tips on how to manage our anger.

Amy Stark, M.D., an addiction psychiatrist with Texas Tech Physicians, discusses the challenges of maintaining sobriety during the holidays. She emphasizes the importance of non-alcoholic options at parties and suggests strategies for those struggling with addiction, such as bringing their own non-alcoholic drinks and using visual cues like holding a drink to deter pressure. Dr. Stark highlights the impact of alcohol on the brain's decision-making processes and the differences in alcohol tolerance between men and women. She also stresses the importance of community support and professional help for those seeking to quit or cut back on alcohol use, cautioning against abrupt cessation due to potential withdrawal risks.