Moms and moms-to-be need all the support they can get. One of those sources of support is housed in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics in Amarillo. The Infant Risk Center is a call center used by physicians, nurse, lactation consultants and mothers worldwide. Our guest for this episode is director of the Infant Risk Center of Excellence, Kaytlin Krutsch, Ph.D., Pharm.D.

Dr. Krutsch tells us all about the IRC and the information they provide. Dr. Krutsch goes on to explain how substances transfer to breast milk, the most common concerns and questions the IRC addresses, how we can support the IRC and moms, and in a world full of artificial intelligence, assures us that when someone calls the center, they’re speaking to an actual health care provider.

Infant Risk Center: 1-806-352-2519

Resources: infantrisk.com/infantrisk-center-resources

Support: infantrisk.com/donate

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June is Men’s Health Month, and we want to bring attention to male infertility. Why this is an important health topic is one of the questions we ask our expert for this episode, Samuel Prien, Ph.D., professor and director of clinical research laboratories in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine. Dr. Prien explains what factors contribute to male fertility and infertility, what is considered a healthy sperm count and what lifestyle factors could affect sperm health. He encourages us to talk about this topic more openly so couples thinking about conceiving might possibly save time and money by first checking the male’s fertility.

Financial insecurity can negatively affect our sleep and nutrition and cause social isolation. All of these take a toll on our mental health. Michele Mahr, Ph.D., assistant professor at the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling department of clinical counseling and mental health, is out guest expert for this episode. Dr. Mahr emphasizes the importance of open communication about financial stress with families and relationships. She also advices seeking professional help when financial stress significantly impacts our mental health and daily functioning. Dr. Mahr encourages that we exercise and try positive affirmations to help reduce stress, but emphasizes the importance of being authentic and identifying with ourselves rather than seeking external validation through things.

You don't need garlic or sunlight to protect yourself against vampires -- energy vampires -- that seem to leave some people exhausted and overwhelmed. David Pfaff, Ph.D., clinical mental health therapist with the School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is our expert for this episode. He shares with us how we can identify and set boundaries with these relationships, practice mindfulness techniques to manage emotional reactions and treat ourselves with compassion in order to slay those energy draining situations. He also gives us tips on how we can be a bit more self-aware and avoid draining other people's energy.

Vaping, initially intended as a smoking cessation tool, has evolved into a harmful trend, especially among young people. Tushi Singh, M.D., and Ricardo Franco, M.D., pulmonologists at Texas Tech Physicians, talk to us about the history of vaping and why it's harmful to our health, and stress seeking professional help for smoking cessation.

Dr. Singh's previous episode: "When Breathing Gets Hard: Understanding COPD"

Sara Tello, APRN, on smoking cessation: "The Great Escape: Breaking Free from Nicotine Addiction"

Breast cancer in males is a rare cut clinically significant disease. Males have many of the same risk factors as females, but delay in seeking health care puts them at greater risk. Richard Pullen, Ed.D., MSN, director of the R.N. to BSN program in the School of Nursing, explains why males might put off reporting a lump in their breast or even checking for lumps. Dr. Pullen tells us what to look for, how we can help reduce the social stigma and instead support those who are at risk for developing breast cancer. One of the ways to start is by having conversations about awareness, so share this episode with your friends and family.

Loose or sagging skin creating folds on the upper eyelid, excess skin and wrinkles around the lower eyelid, drooping lower eyelids -- all these and others can at some point impair your vision. Or perhaps you feel that the skin around your eyes could use a refresh. Coby Ray, M.D., an oculoplastic surgeon at Texas Tech Physicians, is our expert for this episode. Dr. Ray explains that sometimes blepharplasty is sometimes medically necessary to prevent vision impairment caused by droopy eyelids. He goes over what's involved with the surgery and recovery and his recommendations to help prevent droopy eyelids.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., has ben treating child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect for over 20 years. She is the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program assistant program director/instructor in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health. Dr. Jennings emphasizes the need for early intervention and outlines the long-term consequences of abuse and the role of friends, family, and mandated reporters in identifying and reporting cases.

Help us raise awareness about National Child Abuse Prevention Month by sharing this podcast with your community.