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How To Travel Safely in This Day & Age

Whether you’re a regular globe-trotter or a once-a-year vacationer, odds are you haven’t been able to enjoy many trips in the last few years. That’s about to change because travel industry experts predict that summer 2022 will be the busiest travel season yet. 

Travel has essentially returned to normal, in tandem with the declining COVID-19 cases and subsequent hospitalizations. Many pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, with the most recent being ending the requirement for passengers on U.S. airlines to wear masks. It’s predicted that 35% of people expect to travel more this summer than last, with about six in 10 Americans planning at least one trip.

With that said, travel costs are increasing, as evidenced by airline ticket and gasoline prices. So, how can you make the most of your summer vacation? International or domestic, plane or train, mountains or beach, the key is simple: plan ahead. 

• Check the local restrictions to make sure you’ve prepared accordingly. If you’re visiting another country, remember that their restrictions sometimes differ from the U.S. Currently, U.S. regulations indicate that travelers must have a negative test result within one day of their planned return to the country. 
• Weigh the options between staying at a hotel versus a private residence, depending on what level of cleanliness, privacy and amenities you’re looking for, in accordance to cost.
• If you won’t have your own vehicle, decide whether you’ll rent one or opt for rideshare services. Keep in mind that the U.S. is experiencing an incredibly high volume of rental car shortages and flight cancellations. Depending on your destination, driving might be the most reliable choice. 
• Double-check your passport to ensure it’s up-to-date.
• Consider traveling in an RV. If you do, book all of your campsites well in advance. 
• Pack snacks and entertainment. It’ll make the trip more enjoyable, especially if you’ve got little ones. 
• Plan your route, particularly if you’re going on a road trip. It’s imperative that you’re familiar with the areas you’ll be driving through, especially those less populated with fewer options for pit stops. 

• Find time to rest. Vacations can and should be relaxing, but it’s also important to pause afterward and settle back into your routine. 
• Wash and sanitize everything you traveled with. While standard safety tips like washing your hands and avoiding high-traffic areas should be followed the whole time, it’s best to do a thorough cleaning of everything to be especially safe.
• Remain hydrated and eat nourishing foods. Taking care of your body can be easy to forget amidst a hectic travel schedule, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run if you remember to take the extra step. 

If planning a trip seems overwhelming, you might want to explore the option of working with a travel agent. They can ensure you have everything you need and come prepared with unmatched knowledge and industry connections. Their expertise and financial protection often outweigh the initial costs in commission. 

Regardless of how and when you travel this summer, set yourself up for success. Make sure you schedule annual exams for yourself and regular check-ups for your kids.

Let’s face it, the time to kick butts is now. Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is coming up on April 1, so we’ve provided some information on smoking that could save your life or the life of a loved one. As part of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, teachers, kids, youth leaders and health advocates celebrate this day by promoting anti-smoking campaigns through community events. We recognize this day in order to call attention to the problems that arise with tobacco use.

Dangers of Smoking 
Smoking damages almost every organ in your body, causing heart issues, cancer, eye disease, arthritis, stroke, lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, smoking can affect fertility, dental health, immune functions and bone health. Nearly one in five deaths in the United States are due to smoking and on average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Because the health consequences of smoking affect far more than just your lungs or heart, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Not to mention that smoking cigarettes wreaks havoc on your external health and physical appearance, causing premature aging, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Where to Start When You Decide to Stop
It’s hard to know where to even start when you decide to quit smoking, but fortunately, there are tons of resources out there! Here are some tips to get you started:

• From the get-go, commit to a quitting plan.
• Remove all smoking-related paraphernalia.
• Opt-out of social settings that are centered around smoking and instead seek smoking-free social activities with nonsmokers.
• Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms.
• You might consider medication options, such as a prescription or nicotine replacement therapy to help control symptoms. Consult with your primary care physician about this.
• Manage cravings with gum, mints or hard candies.
• When quitting seems impossible, talk to a close friend or family member.

If you do reach a point where quitting does not seem feasible, you have options. Consider seeking a counselor to guide you through the process, call the quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, sign up for free encouragement texting programs, download an app or visit the CDC website for more tips.

Benefits of Quitting
The benefits of quitting smoking are numerous. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, reproductive complications and premature death. Additionally, you will likely notice your overall health and quality of life improve. It’s also important to realize the money you will save by quitting smoking! Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent on smoking and related diseases in the United States each year while the average smoker spends over $2,000 a year on cigarettes.

You Can Do It!
Quitting smoking is not an overnight process, but it is a long journey that will have its ups and downs, so we encourage you to celebrate your victories and milestones! When you begin the quitting process, write down five reasons why you chose to quit and when certain days are especially hard, remind yourself of these reasons. This will help you stay motivated and remember the reason you quit in the first place! Quitting is no small feat, but it is possible one step at a time! Your future self will thank you.

Stop Skin Cancer in Its Tracks

It’s crucial to know how to spot a possibly cancerous mole, as skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.

Through the Plexiglass

Did you hear the recent story about how a young future doctor saved the life of an NHL team’s assistant equipment manager? Nadia Popovici was at a Vancouver Canucks hockey game when she noticed an irregular mole on the neck of the assistant equipment manager for the Canucks, Brian Hamilton. With her background in nursing, Popovici was able to identify the cancer-like qualities of the mole and knew she had to notify Hamilton immediately. She banged on the plexiglass that separated them and held up her phone, where she had typed out, “The mole on the back of your neck is possibly cancerous. Please go see a doctor!” Hamilton shrugged it off at first but fortunately had the sense to get it looked at. It turns out Popovici was right—the mole was a type-2 malignant melanoma. After Hamilton got the mole removed, he reached out to Popovici, who the doctor said saved Hamilton’s life. “She didn’t take me out of a burning car, but she took me out of a slow fire. The words out of the doctor’s mouth were that if I ignored [the mole] for four to five years, I wouldn’t be here,” Hamilton said.

Spotting Skin Cancer

Moles are very common and usually benign. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most adults have at least a few common moles that are typically harmless. However, certain types of moles and other factors, like family history, having had melanoma in the past, or having more than 50 moles, can increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the future. Monitoring moles for changes in size, shape, texture, and color and checking for new growths is an important part of the skin cancer screening process. In addition to protecting your skin from sun exposure, you should perform monthly self-mole checks to look for anything out of the ordinary, like changes to existing moles or new growths.

Melanoma can appear as a new spot or an existing mole. One simple way to determine if a mole might be cancerous is by using the ABCDE rule:

Asymmetry: the mole is irregularly shaped—one side doesn’t match the other.

Border: the edges are blurred or ragged.

Color: the color of the mole is not consistent throughout—ranging from shades of brown, black, pink, red or white.

Diameter: a cancerous mole is usually one-fourth of an inch or larger, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. 

Evolving: the mole is changing in color, shape or size.

The key is to identify melanoma early so you can begin treatment. Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, but it isn’t the only one. 

Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are more common than melanomas, but they are also typically more treatable. Both basal and squamous cell carcinomas can show up anywhere but usually grow on parts of the body that are most exposed to the sun, such as the face, head and neck. This is why vigilant sun protection is of the utmost importance.

How Coryell Can Help

The most proactive thing you can do is get yearly skin checks with your primary care provider or a dermatologist, such as our very own Dr. Russell Rowe. Your primary care physician can refer you to a specialist as needed.

Anyone fighting cancer deserves to be near loved ones, which is why we offer diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and a pharmacy to make the process more convenient for you. If you are concerned about skin cancer, call us today at (254) 865-2166. Story credit: The New York Times

General and Bariatric Surgery clinics will now be located in Coryell Health Medical Clinic, Building 1. Dr. John Bawduniak, general and vascular surgeon, and Dr. David Gochnour, bariatric and general surgeon, previously saw patients in Building 2, but as of Thursday, March 10^th, they will be seeing patients in Building 1.  “The one constant at Coryell Health is our continued growth, as we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our patients. Rural residents deserve access to excellent healthcare and we are proud to deliver these services. Coryell will move local and regional healthcare to even higher levels of quality and accessibility by expanding locally based services, providers and locations. We now have three clinic locations on our Gatesville campus and will soon begin primary care services out of our Waco clinic,” said David Byrom, Coryell Health CEO.

Are you keeping score? There is no better time to get a cardiac calcium CT scan done than American Heart Month. This month and next, Coryell Health is charging half price, or $50, for patients to find out their calcium scores. 

Your score can help determine your future risk of having a heart attack or stroke. A cardiac CT scan of the heart detects plaque or calcium accumulation in the arteries. The higher calcium score a patient has, the more aggressive the treatment will be, Dr. Phillip Myatt, Coryell Health Cardiologist explains. “Knowing a patient’s cardiac calcium score helps us develop targeted therapy for patients, including allowing us to optimize medications, such as statin dose, for preventing plaque buildup. Many patients may have otherwise had no idea of their risk.”

More on the Score

So what’s so bad about plaque? Plaque is a build-up of calcium and cholesterol on the artery walls that can narrow the arteries, reducing blood and oxygen flow. The more plaque in your heart, the higher your risk is of a cardiac event. In this scenario, the lower your score, the better.

You should get a cardiac calcium CT scan if you are between ages 40-70 and at increased risk for heart disease but do not have symptoms. People at increased risk include  those with the following traits:

• Have a family history of heart disease
• Have a family history of high cholesterol
• Are overweight 
• Are or have ever been a smoker 
• Have a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
• Have an inactive lifestyle 

Benefits of Knowing Your Score

While advanced CT technology allows doctors to visualize any plaque buildup in a patient’s arteries, the calcium score can indicate to the physician that he or she may want to initiate or change preventive therapy to lower your risk.

Where Coryell Comes In

Don’t risk waiting. Take advantage of Coryell Health’s half-off special for American Heart Month by scheduling your calcium scan before the end of March! You’ll be glad that you determined your risk of developing heart problems sooner rather than later. The test is painless, non-invasive and fast; it typically takes about 20 minutes. You will be able to resume all regular activity immediately after the procedure. You can request the results be sent to any medical provider or Coryell Health Cardiology will contact you in an average of 3-5 business days.

Schedule your Calcium Score Scan today: (254) 248-6238.

This February at Coryell Health, we are celebrating Black History Month by acknowledging the struggles of African Americans—past and present—especially as they relate to heart health. 

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans? One person dies every 36 seconds from heart disease in our country. The risk is even higher for African Americans. In 2018, African Americans were 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. 

The Risk Factors

One of the significant risk factors for heart disease is high blood pressure. According to The American Heart Association, the prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans is the highest in the world. African American adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure than non-Hispanic whites. African American women are about 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than non-Hispanic white women. In addition, African Americans are also more likely to have high cholesterol.

Close to Home

These statistics are more than just numbers; they hit close to home. The death rate in Coryell County due to heart disease is 342 per 100,000. Among the Black population, it increases to 377 per 100,000 deaths.

Preventative Measures

Here’s the good news: heart disease is preventable! Focus on the following to get your heart into its optimal condition:

• A Healthy Diet
  • Eat balanced, nutritious meals and snacks, including fruits, vegetables and fewer processed foods
  • Avoid foods high in fat, sodium and sugar
  • Choose foods high in fiber and low in cholesterol 
  • Avoid drinking excess alcohol
• Healthy Habits
  • The surgeon general recommends two hours and 30 minutes of exercise per week for adults
  • Avoid smoking 
  • Manage a healthy weight 
• Managing Medical Conditions
  • Control blood pressure and cholesterol by changing habits or trying medications
  • Monitor blood sugar levels if you have diabetes 
  • Regularly take prescribed medicines as directed

Coryell Can Help

If you have heart-related concerns, Coryell Health is your solution. Cardiac rehabilitation and cardiopulmonary medicine are two of our specialties. You can give us a call at (254) 865-2166. In the meantime, check out these tips for a healthy heart from Cardiologist Dr. Keylani.

This tweet went viral in May 2019.

A few years ago, this tweet went viral and people freaked out.

Does one bottle of Coke really contain the same amount of sugar as SIX donuts?

Some quick research on nutrition facts reveals the answer. 

One 20oz bottle of Coca-Cola contains 65 grams of sugar. Most donuts contain around 11 grams of sugar. More specifically:

• ?   A Krispy Kreme strawberry iced donut = 11 grams of sugar
• ?   A Shipley’s chocolate iced donut with sprinkles = 11 grams of sugar
• ?   A Dunkin’ Donuts glazed donut = 13 grams of sugar

We’ll use one of the first two examples. If you do the math, six of those donuts would equal 66 grams of sugar, just one gram more than the soda!

To be fair, this message is a bit oversimplfied. Of course, we have to take into consideration factors like calories, saturated fats and nutrient content. One bottle of coke and six donuts are not exactly an equal exchange. Although the graphic is a bit misleading at first glance, it does raise valid health concerns. The message here is not, “You should eat more donuts.” We’re not saying that donuts are healthy. Rather, it is to be aware of how sneaky sugar, especially added sugar, can be. 

Food for Thought

Sugar tastes great, we can all acknowledge that. But is the taste worth the consequences? According to both the American Heart Association and The Sugar Association, sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading sources of added sugars in Americans’ diets, 25% being soft drinks specifically. Added sugars are different than natural sugars, and are the type you want to avoid. Naturally occurring sugars are found in foods such as fruit and milk, while added sugars are just that, added, during the preparation process. You can read more about the difference here.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans caps the recommended daily intake of added sugar at 10%. One of the major downsides of sugar is weight gain, especially belly fat accumulation. Excess sugar causes weight gain, and even obesity, because the simple sugar fructose doesn’t lower the hunger hormone ghrelin or stimulate fullness the same way that glucose, the complex sugar, does. In addition, your liver is the only place in your body that can metabolizes fructose, so the more you ingest in your soda, the higher your risk of developing fatty liver disease.

Too much sugar can also lead to insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, high blood pressure and even cancer. This study of more than 100,000 participants found that  consumption of sugary drinks was significantly associated with the risk of overall cancer.

On top of all that, studies indicate that sugar may be addictive, as it shares certain characteristics with addictive substances, like dopamine release into the brain. This makes reducing your sugar intake challenging, but not impossible.

The Good News

The first step to cutting back is figuring our how much sugar you’re consuming on a daily basis. These days, food manufacturers are required to include that information on nutrition labels, so it’s easy. Next, consider replacing sugary sodas with naturally sweetened alternatives, like carbonated water, unsweetened tea, coconut water, smoothies, etc.

Keep in mind, managing your sugar intake is only one part of a healthy diet. If you want to learn more about making healthy choices, contact Coryell Health Ideal Protein Health Coach Mardi Mason by calling (254) 404-2556 or emailing weightloss@coryellhealthb.wpengine.com. Next time you want a Coke, we encourage you to think about how many donuts it will cost you.

Due to safety concerns for traveling patients and staff, Coryell Health Medical Clinics will delay opening until 10am tomorrow, Friday, February 3rd. Quick Care Walk-In Clinic will close at 6pm. If you’re concerned about traveling in icy weather conditions, please call (254) 865-2166 to reschedule. If you have a medical emergency- call 911- our EMS and Emergency Room are available 24/7.

Coryell Health will send negative and will now send positive results, if you saw a practitioner.

If you test positive: stay home for 5 days-  if symptoms are resolved after 5 days, you can leave your house. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you are moderately to severely ill then you should quarantine for 10 days and until fever free with symptoms mostly resolved. To find out more visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html.

An aluminum shortage tied to the global supply chain crunch has led to a new medical supply shortage: crutches.

The latest example of pandemic-spurred medical supply chain problems has become a bigger problem for health systems across the nation. Crutches are walking aids used to reduce weight placed on the lower body and provide support and balance.

“Our hospital, short-term inpatient therapy, physical therapy, home health and clinic provide crutches for patients on a daily basis. All surgery volumes spike at the end of the year, including orthopedic surgeries, but if we do not have crutches to use post operatively, some patients may have to delay care,” said Heather Rambeau, Coryell Health Chief Nursing Officer. “We have run out of crutches and our suppliers don’t know when they’ll have more available to sell.” Rambeau adds the hospital’s supplier told them there is an aluminum shortage and “we just cannot get them there.”

“Just because it’s something that we’ve always had a surplus of and then it got down to having zero of certain sizes, so it really just put us in a bad situation,” she said. “The impacts of the global pandemic continue to affect so many aspects of healthcare. We’re hopeful that there are plenty of used crutches gathering dust in closets that can be put to good use for our patients.”

Any donated crutches will be sanitized and inspected for safety before being issued to patients. Individuals are asked to drop off crutches at the main entrance of the hospital anytime between 7am – 5pm, Monday thru Friday. Anyone with questions or needing assistance may call Monica Salter at (254) 248-6247.