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Coryell Health is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Riddle to our Waco clinic! Dr. Riddle is a board certified family medicine physician with over 10 years of experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed her residency with Waco Family Medicine.

Dr. Riddle is dedicated to providing comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages and loves building long-lasting relationships with patients and their families to address their healthcare needs over time. She offers a variety of services, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, chronic disease management and acute care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. Riddle accept my insurance?

Coryell Health accepts self-pay and most major insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Please see Coryell Health’s full list of accepted insurance here.

Dr. Riddle has been my primary care physician. What will the transition to Coryell Health look like for me?

Coryell Health handles the transfer of new patients’ records. Call (254) 248-6401 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Riddle. Fill out the new patient paperwork before your appointment or in person, and we’ll handle the rest!

The Impact of Hearing Loss & What To Do About It

If you’re constantly turning the volume up, asking your wife to repeat herself or having trouble catching the play-by-play, those are signs of hearing loss you can’t afford to ignore.

October is National Audiology Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to face the facts: men are almost twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss among adults ages 20-69.

Hearing Loss: What’s the Big Deal?

Our ability to hear affects more than meets the eye. For a start, those with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from dementia.

Hearing loss may contribute to faster brain atrophy, negatively impacting memory. A study from Johns Hopkins found that mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss tripled the risk of dementia, and those with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to suffer from dementia than those with no hearing loss.

Additionally, hearing loss impacts the ability to engage in conversation, contributing to social isolation. This may lead to depression, which is a common risk factor for dementia. A 2019 study found that people with hearing loss over the age of 65 are more likely to have depression than their peers without hearing loss.

Our brains also heavily depend on our vestibular system, located within the inner ear, to maintain balance. Hearing loss leads to fewer auditory signals traveling to our brain, causing the brain to process less spatial information. As a result, our equilibrium can be thrown off, resulting in an increased risk of balance issues, dizziness and falling.

“Many people don’t realize how closely our balance is related to our inner ear,” Dr. Brindley says. “Dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness are all signs you need to see a physician, who sends a referral for a visit to an audiologist. If you experience recurring ear pain or pressure in the ears that isn’t due to an ear infection, an audiologist can evaluate whether it’s related to a hearing or balance issue.”

All of these side effects amount to a loss of independence. By attempting to stay strong and brush off signs of hearing loss, you actually deprive yourself of the autonomy you’re after.

Hearing loss affects you physically, mentally and emotionally, and once the damage is done, it’s irreversible when caused by aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, by acting now, you can preserve your hearing and slow its decline.

What Can I Do About Hearing Loss Right Now?

Talk to your Coryell Health primary care physician about seeing an audiologist. Dr. Brindley offers diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings and treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Scheduling a hearing evaluation determines a baseline, and it’s easier to track hearing loss over time when there is data to compare. A hearing evaluation may seem inconvenient, but you’ll thank yourself for it later.

“Many patients try to ignore signs of hearing loss or are not aware of signs,” Dr. Brindley says. “These include persistent ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears. These can be a sign of hearing damage or another issue that an audiologist can help evaluate. If excessive earwax is causing discomfort, hearing issues or infections, an audiologist can safely remove it and check for any related hearing concerns.”

What Can I Do About Hearing Loss In the Future?

Using adequate hearing protection when exposed to loud noises reduces the risk of hearing loss. If you purchase custom hearing protection and are worried about its quality, Dr. Brindley can verify if your hearing protection is working properly.

For more ways to protect your hearing, take a look at some of Dr. Brindley’s hearing preservation tips.

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Ashley Brindley, Au.D., is an audiologist with over a decade of experience caring for both children and adults. She earned her associate degree from Victoria College and her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Brindley also received her doctorate in audiology from the University of North Texas. She’s certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology.

Healthy hearing positively impacts brain functioning, memory retention, the ability to connect with the world around you and so much more. Hearing loss in men may be more difficult to detect due to reluctance to admit symptoms of hearing loss. Admitting to signs of hearing loss isn’t weakness—it’s taking care of your health! Call (254) 865-2166 to ask about scheduling a diagnostic hearing evaluation with Dr. Brindley today.

Take Back Control of Your Pain With Spinal Cord Stimulation

Living with chronic pain can feel like a constant uphill battle. It robs you of the simple joys in life, whether it’s playing with your kids or grandkids, enjoying a round of golf or taking your dog for a walk. What if you could reclaim those moments without relying on medication or ongoing physical therapy? It’s time to talk to your doctor about the Eterna spinal cord stimulator system.

What Is the Eterna System?

The Eterna spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system is currently the smallest implantable and rechargeable spinal cord stimulator on the market for treating chronic pain. For those who suffer from post-operative back and/or leg pain after back surgery, nonsurgical back pain (NSBP) or diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and want relief without taking medication or attending physical therapy, spinal cord stimulation therapy with Abbott’s Eterna SCS system is a viable solution.

Dr. Austin Horrock’s will present
“Understanding Your Options for Back and Leg Pain”.
Topics include:

• Understanding pain
• Therapeutic options for pain relief
• Obtaining a neurostimulation implant
• What Is the Eterna System?

Thursday, November 7 @ 12 p.m.
Coryell Health
Public Meeting Room, Floor 2
1507 West Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528
Free Lunch provided by Luby’s Culinary Services.
Registration Required at https://coryellhealth.org/lunch-learn-eterna/  
**This event topic is specifically for individuals struggling with low back pain and their loved ones.

How Does the Eterna System Work?

The Eterna SCS system consists of a small device called an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that’s surgically placed in your body with thin, insulated wires called leads. When your Eterna system is turned on, the IPG sends mild electrical pulses through the leads to nerves along your spinal cord to block pain signals as they travel to the brain, reducing the amount of pain you feel. You can personalize your therapy through Abbott’s Patient Controller app under the supervision of your doctor.

“The SCS device sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. This can lead to a marked reduction in pain perception, offering relief from conditions like neuropathic pain, failed back surgery syndrome or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). While not everyone responds equally to spinal cord stimulation, for many, it represents a life-changing tool in chronic pain management.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist

Unlike tonic spinal cord stimulation, the Eterna SCS system features Abbott’s proprietary BurstDR stimulation. This technology mimics natural firing patterns in the brain rather than the tingling sensation associated with traditional tonic spinal cord stimulation. 87% of patients prefer the feeling of BurstDR stimulation to that of tonic stimulation, and BurstDR stimulation has been found to reduce pain by 23% more than tonic stimulation. Most patients do not need to feel stimulation (paresthesia) to achieve pain relief with BurstDR stimulation.

What Should I Expect From the Procedure?

“Spinal cord stimulation is unique in that the patient can try out the device before committing to the implant procedure. The trial procedure is performed similarly to an injection where a small wire is guided via X-ray through a needle to where it can best address the patient’s pain areas. If your trial procedure is successful, a permanent device is implanted by our pain management physicians.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist

Following the procedure, you and Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley will determine the level of stimulation that fits your needs and program your Eterna system accordingly.

If you’d like to test out the Eterna system, talk to your doctor about an Abbott spinal cord stimulator implant trial. During the trial, you and your doctor can assess whether the Eterna system provides you with sufficient pain relief and improves your ability to perform everyday activities.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Surgery?

The trial procedure recovery is typically only a few days, similar to an injection.

With the implant procedure, you may experience mild discomfort in the areas where your doctor inserted the leads and battery. However, this sensation will fade within a few days. You should avoid bending, twisting, stretching or lifting objects over five pounds for 6-8 weeks following the surgery or as otherwise instructed by your doctor.

How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Eterna?

Abbott’s DISTINCT study recorded the following benefits of the Eterna system within patients’ first six months of therapy:

• 91.4% of patients who received SCS therapy obtained significant pain relief or significantly improved function
• 72.6% of patients in the SCS study arm and 85.2% of those implanted achieved a significant reduction in back pain compared to only 7.1% in the conservative medical management arm
• 7 out of 10 patients prefer BurstDR stimulation over traditional tonic spinal cord stimulation

How Long Does an Eterna Implant Last?

The Eterna implant is designed to last a lifetime. Due to Abbott’s Xtend technology, the Eterna SCS system requires as few as five recharges per year through standard use from a wireless charger. That’s up to 95% less charging time required than other rechargeable SCS systems currently on the market!

“Unlike permanent surgeries, the effects of SCS are reversible. The device can be removed if it is no longer needed or effective.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist

Will I Feel the Stimulation?

The Eterna system’s BurstDR technology uses low-energy electrical pulses to relieve chronic pain and the emotional toll it takes on patients. The technology mimics natural patterns found in the brain, so the pulses are less detectable and more comfortable compared to the tingling sensation of tonic spinal cord stimulation. Most patients do not need to feel paresthesia (tingling) to achieve meaningful pain relief!

Is Eterna Covered By Insurance?

Most private U.S. insurance providers, including Medicare, provide full or partial coverage for spinal cord stimulators for patients who meet specific eligibility requirements. During your first consultation with Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley about Eterna, feel free to ask any questions about coverage with your insurance plan.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Austin Horrocks, DO

Dr. Austin Horrocks is board certified in both pain management and anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology. With extensive experience treating sports injuries, arthritis, joint pain, compression fractures and more, one of his favorite parts about specializing in pain management is seeing his patients enjoy their favorite activities again.

Dr. Richard Hurley, MD

Dr. Richard Hurley has been a board certified pain management specialist for over 35 years. He treats various kinds of chronic pain through spinal cord stimulator implants, facet nerve injections, epidural injections, peripheral nerve blocks, trigger point injections and more. Dr. Hurley served as a regional consultant in spinal cord stimulation for Boston Scientific, further demonstrating his passion for providing patients with medication-free pain management.

With the Eterna spinal cord stimulator system, you can take back control of your life and end your chronic pain. Talk to Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley to see how the Eterna system could change your life for the better. Call (254) 865-2166 to schedule an initial consultation today, and visit the Abbott website for further information on the Eterna system, including spinal cord stimulator reviews, informational videos and more.

Coryell Health Opens Saturday Sports Injury Clinic for Student Athletes  

 Coryell Health Orthopedic Team will be available on Saturday mornings to treat  student sports injuries.

Coryell Health Orthopedics pleased to begin offering a special Saturday Sports Injury Clinic starting Saturday, August 31 through November 8^, 2024. The Saturday Clinic will address any injuries sustained during Friday night sports activities. Coryell Health understands injuries can be an unfortunate part of athletics, and our goal is to provide prompt and professional care to ensure our local student’s health and safety.

The Coryell Health Saturday Sports Injury Clinic practitioners are: Dr. Jacob Battle, Orthopedic Surgeon; Dr. Lance Ellis, Orthopedic Surgeon; and Kristin Hill, APRN FNP-C RNFA.

Details of the Saturday Sports Injury Clinic:

• Date: Every Saturday moring events
• Time: 10 AM – 12 PM | No appointment necessary

If a student-athlete cannot come to the Sports Injury Clinic during the scheduled hours, please contact us directly to schedule an appointment. We will do our best to accommodate their needs.

• Location: 227 Memorial Drive, Clinic Building 2, Gatesville, TX 76528
• Services Offered: Evaluation, treatment, and management of sports injuries
  • Insurance Information and/or School Insurance Information
  • List of Current Medications
  • Consent to treat (if without legal guardian)

What to Bring:

• Insurance Information and/or School Insurance Information
• List of Current Medications
• Consent to treat (if without legal guardian)

“Providing specialized orthopedic care post injury for student athletes will provide convenience and peace of mind to our local athletic communities. We have already been in touch with local ISD trainers, but we also anticipate word of mouth to spread as parents learn about the quick access care for injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions. By offering this service on Saturdays, we aim to reduce the need for emergency room visits and ensure that local athletes receive the best care possible in a timely manner,” said Dr. Jacob Battle, Board certified orthopedic and sport medicine specialist.

Once the patients are accessed, they will be treated right there at the Saturday clinic or scheduled for advanced diagnostic testing, such as MRI or CT scan, and receive rapid appointments for specialty care referrals, if necessary,” said Kristin Hill, APRN FNP-C RNFA, orthopedic specialist.

Appointments are not necessary, as we will be seeing patients on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if parents would like to schedule an appointment on a different date for their child, please feel free to contact us at (254) 865-2166.

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Be Safe in the Sun With the Right Sunscreen

It’s the peak of Texas summer, and protecting your family from the sun’s harmful rays is essential. With so many sunscreen options on the market, purchasing the right one can be a daunting task. Each cream, lotion, stick and spray promises to shield your skin effectively, so how are you supposed to choose?

At Coryell Health, we understand the importance of sun protection and are here to guide you through the process. From understanding SPF to selecting between physical, chemical and combination sunscreens, we’ll help you make informed choices to keep your loved ones safe and healthy while having fun in the sun.

So, Which Sunscreen is Right For You & Your Family?

The Skin Cancer Foundation asserts that the best sunscreen is the one you are most likely to use, as long as it provides effective broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 or higher for outdoor activities. The more time you spend in the sun, the higher your sunscreen’s SPF should be and the more you should reapply throughout the day.

You may need to wait before picking out sunscreen for younger children. The FDA and the American Academy of Dermatology don’t recommend putting sunscreen on babies younger than six months old since they’re more at risk of a rash and other side effects. Keep your little one hydrated and covered up in the shade if they’re outdoors for long periods of time.

When your child is old enough to wear sunscreen, it’s valuable to know that there’s very little, if any, difference between adult sunscreen and baby sunscreen.

For example, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen and Blue Lizard Sensitive Baby Sunscreen have identical ingredients.

However, if your child likes how it smells or feels, the baby sunscreen might be the right choice. Your child’s safety is the most important part of picking their sunscreen, and if they enjoy wearing it, that’s a big plus.

Why is Wearing Sunscreen Important?

Reason #1

The number one reason to wear sunscreen is that it protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays and helps prevent cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen, when used as directed, can reduce your risk of developing melanoma by 50% and squamous cell carcinoma by approximately 40%.

Despite several scares in recent years, there is no medical evidence indicating that sunscreen causes cancer. Various sunscreens have been recalled for including benzene, a known human carcinogen, but benzene isn’t typically found in sunscreen. These recalls occurred due to contamination during manufacturing, not because it’s a standard ingredient.

However, there is plenty of evidence that UV rays from both the sun and tanning beds cause cancer. You should wear sunscreen no matter how dark or light your skin tone is. Darker skin provides more protection against the sun’s UV rays than lighter skin, but it doesn’t mean that people with darker skin tones are immune to the harmful effects of UV radiation.

In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, late-stage melanoma diagnoses are more prevalent among Hispanic and Black patients than non-Hispanic white patients. Additionally, 52% of non-Hispanic Black patients and 26% of Hispanic patients receive an initial diagnosis of advanced, or stage 4, melanoma, compared to 16% of non-Hispanic white patients. Unfortunately, everyone is susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer.

Reason #2

The second main reason to wear sunscreen? It keeps your skin looking young! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, an estimated 80% of skin aging is caused by the sun. Exposure to UV rays breaks down collagen, causing premature aging, fine lines, sagging and wrinkles. Wearing sunscreen helps you avoid all of this, as well as maintain an even skin tone and reduce inflammation. People who apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24% less skin aging than those who don’t apply sunscreen each day.

How Do I Choose the Best Sunscreen?

When selecting a sunscreen, you should start by ensuring it meets the following criteria:

1. The sunscreen should be SPF 30 or higher.
2. It should be labeled as “broad-spectrum protection,” meaning it successfully blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
3. The sunscreen should also be labeled as “water-resistant.” There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, as all sunscreen washes off eventually. However, water-resistant sunscreens are tested to be effective for up to 40 minutes of swimming.

What Are the Main Types of Sunscreen?

With the three criteria above in mind, there are a few decisions about your sunscreen you still need to make. Sunscreen available for purchase in the United States falls into three main categories:

1. Physical Sunscreen

Physical, or mineral, sunscreen contains active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that reflect the sun’s rays. They are designed to block and scatter the sun’s rays before they penetrate your skin. Most forms of children’s sunscreen fall into this category.

2. Chemical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreen contains active ingredients such as avobenzone and octisalate which absorb UV rays before they can harm your skin.

3. Combination Sunscreen

Combination sunscreen contains both physical, or mineral, and chemical active ingredients in order to protect you from UV radiation.

What Does the SPF Number Mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number represents how well the sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the leading cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and energy levels compared to UVA rays. Although they only penetrate the surface of your skin, they cause the most damage.

To determine how well a sunscreen can protect you based on its SPF, multiply the amount of time it takes your skin to burn by the SPF number. Say that you’ve chosen an SPF 30 sunscreen, and it takes 15 minutes for your skin to burn without sunscreen. This means that an SPF 30 sunscreen should protect your skin for 450 minutes (if you apply thoroughly and reapply properly every two hours).

Several factors, including your skin tone, how much time you’ll spend in the sun and how quickly you burn, can help you determine the right SPF for you. Wearing a high-SPF sunscreen doesn’t mean you can stay in the sun all day without reapplying — be careful!

Which Sunscreen is the “Best”?

As you scan the shelves at the store, it’s easy to get caught up in comparing brand names. The company logo isn’t the most important feature of the bottle. As long as the sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection, an SPF of 30 or higher and the right ingredients for your skin, it will be perfect for you. Coryell Health recommends the following guides as a starting point for finding the right sunscreen for you:

• The Best Sunscreen from Wirecutter
• 14 Best Sunscreens of 2024, Tested by Scientists from Good Housekeeping

Selecting the right sunscreen is a crucial step in protecting your and your family’s skin and preventing irreversible sun damage. If you have concerns about your skin, don’t hesitate to consult your primary care physician at Coryell Health. Together, we can ensure you and your family enjoy a safe and fun summer.

References:

• https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html
• https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
• https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
• https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-put-sunscreen-infants-not-usually
• https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/baby-vs-adult-sunscreen/
• https://www.nfcr.org/blog/9-must-know-facts-about-sunscreen/?psafe_param=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMOez_gS9YH3Qi9ZtuEcdiQ2Po3GKMdUkBjbUykigQ1MwhvRSKlOqthoCtaMQAvD_BwE
• https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/sunscreen-myths-debunked.h00-159697545.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sunscreen/
• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g1288/best-sunscreens/