Texan ENT - October 2018

Texan ENT - October 2018

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

OCTOBER 2018

Satellite Offices:

601A Leah Avenue San Marcos, TX 78666 Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

1009 W San Antonio Street Lockhart, TX 78644 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month

‘EAR, NEWS, AND THROAT’

AWedding to Remember TIME OF MY LIFE

T his month, Renee and I are celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary. It really hasn’t been that long since we said “I do,” but it feels like forever ago, especially now that we have our daughter, Audrey. Renee and I had a pretty amazing wedding, thanks in no small part to Renee’s incredible party-planning skills. She loves to make things truly one-of-a-kind and our wedding really reflected that. For about a year before the big day, Renee was working on all kinds of arts and crafts projects, putting together something memorable. One thing I really loved was how she set up each table to reflect a place we’d visited together. Instead of numbers, people could sit at the France table or the Winter Park, Colorado table or the Washington, D.C. table, and each one had a photo of us on our trip to that location. Her attention to detail is astounding. My ability to retain those details is another matter entirely. I remember the weather at Laguna Gloria in Austin being perfect, and I remember how beautiful Renee looked, but in hindsight, most of my wedding day is a big blur. After months of planning, it felt like everything flew by in five minutes. That’s why I’m glad we had a videographer on site. My advice to anyone planning a wedding is to splurge on a good photographer. The dinner will be over in half “To be honest, I was more nervous about our first dance than I was about getting married!”

an hour, but a photographer can capture those special moments you want to remember forever — like your first dance, for example. Our first dance together was to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne, a classic wedding slow dance. But about a minute into the song, there was a record scratch noise and we just looked around, confused. Then Renee and I sprung into an awesome dance routine. For nine months leading up to the wedding, we went to dance lessons every week, and our first dance included “Time of My Life” from “Dirty Dancing,” the dance scene from “Pulp Fiction,” and the ever-iconic “Gangnam Style” — hey, it was really popular that year! To be honest, I was more nervous about our first dance than I was about getting married! We’d practiced in normal clothes during the lessons, but suddenly I was in a suit and Renee was wearing a huge, poufy skirt. But it went off without a hitch and everyone was stunned. We’d kept the first dance plans a secret from everyone except the photographer, who was ready to capture every second. The best picture of the day was me lifting Renee up during our dance. It was a pretty cool start to what has been an amazing marriage. Renee and I haven’t stopped having fun, and I’m so thrilled to be raising Audrey together now. I have no regrets and can’t imagine my life any other way.

Happy anniversary, Renee. Thank you for being my dance partner in life. I love you! –Dr. Seth Evans

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A LOVELY NIGHT FOR A RUN

COSTUME SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack- o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof. While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.

SHOULD YOU GO FOR A RUN AFTER DARK? Have you ever been driving home after dark and seen someone jogging on the side of the road? You might have thought they were crazy for waiting until so late in the day to go for a run, but there is actually research that suggests running in the evening is better than going for a run at any other time of day. Here are a few reasons why you should save your run until you can join all the things that go bump in the night.

You can hit the snooze button.

Many people who run first thing in the morning find themselves pressed for time. Hitting the snooze button is not an option, and with so little time, breakfast is usually a banana on the way out the door. Moving your run to the evening means you can enjoy a more leisurely morning. Not feeling stressed out first thing in the morning can also lead to a more relaxed day.

You can push yourself harder.

It can be hard to get a good workout in the morning after your muscles have been still for eight hours during sleep. A study at the University of North Texas found that your body is better prepared to exercise in the evenings, since your muscles have been warming up all day. With improved muscular function and strength, you can push yourself harder and see greater improvement.

You sleep better.

You will obviously feel tired after a good run, so why not time it right and use this to your advantage? Research from the University of South Carolina found that people who ran before bedtime enjoyed a better night of sleep and increased energy levels when they woke up, meaning they felt more awake and better rested throughout the following day. The best time to run is honestly whenever you have time to run, but if it works with your schedule, nighttime running might provide your best workout ever. Just remember that if you do decide to save your run for after sunset, you should stay safe by wearing bright, reflective clothing, sticking to the left side of the road, and running only in well-lit, populated areas.

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Am I at risk for vocal cord lesions?

Vocal cord nodules or polyps are often the result of long-term wear on a person’s vocal cords. People with the highest risk for vocal cord lesions are those with careers or hobbies that require excessive use of their voice, such as singers, teachers, actors, preachers, and salespeople. However, polyps can also form after one case of vocal abuse, like cheering at a sporting event or yelling at a concert. Smoking, thyroid problems, and acid reflux can also put someone at risk for developing vocal cord lesions. Sometimes resting your vocal cords for a few days is enough to let your body heal, but severe cases of nodules or polyps demand professional care. Call your ENT doctor if you lose your voice for more than a couple of days or are hoarse for more than two weeks. You should also seek professional help if you suffer from hoarseness and have difficulty swallowing, suffer from pain, feel a lump in your throat, or start coughing up blood. It can be alarming to suddenly be unable to speak or sing without experiencing pain, but treating vocal cord lesions is usually a simple matter. If you think you may be suffering from vocal cord nodules or polyps, give Dr. Seth Evans a call at 512.550.0321. Schedule a consultation today to determine the severity of your condition and learn about your treatment options. When should I see a doctor?

NOT PITCH-PERFECT

Are Vocal Cord Lesions Throwing You Off-Key?

From a baby’s laugh to a Broadway star belting out a show-stopping number, the human voice is capable of creating an amazing array of sounds. Each time we speak, sing, or cry, our lungs, voice box, nose, throat, mouth, and sinuses must all work together to make the sound possible. It’s a complex system, so it’s no surprise that the smallest abnormalities on our vocal cords can cause some serious problems.

Nodules and Polyps

The most common vocal cord lesions are nodules and polyps. Nodules are like calluses: hardened growths that form in pairs on each vocal cord. Polyps are like blisters: swollen, irritated sores that usually appear alone. Both kinds can be very painful and can cause lasting damage to your voice and throat if left untreated.

LAUGH! HAVE A

Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch This recipe combines pumpkin seeds, a seasonal favorite, with cashews, sunflower seeds, and spices. It’s a perfect homemade snack for the fall.

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

Ingredients

• • • • •

1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds

• • •

1 large egg white

1 teaspoon light agave syrup

1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped

1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray

•

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.

1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated.

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512.550.0321

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Page 1 The Ultimate First Dance

Page 2 What Parents Need to Know About Halloween Costumes

Page 2 Running at Witching Hour

Page 3 Frog in Your Throat?

Page 3 Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch

Page 4 Word From the Westies

NO TRICKS, ALL TREATS Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Izzy & Emma’s Favorite Halloween Recipes

Ingredients • 1/4 cup butter

The decorations and costumes are great, but everyone knows the best part of Halloween is the treats! This month, Emma and I picked out a few of our favorite Halloween treats to share with you. A Treat for Pups: Frozen Pumpkin Bites This recipe comes from the genius website newfandhound.com, and it’s perfect for a special dog treat on Halloween. Ingredients • 1 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) • 1/8 cup raw honey • 1/4 cup applesauce • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg • 1/4 teaspoon ginger Directions 1. Add all ingredients in a blender and purée until you have a liquid consistency. 2. Pour mixture into ice cube trays or your favorite Halloween-themed molds —we recommend bones! 3. Place trays in freezer and let the treats freeze. As soon as they’re solid, they are good to eat! A Treat for Kids: Rice Krispies Treat Pumpkins Inspired by onelittleproject.com, this is a treat that dogs can’t have but humans will really enjoy.

• Mini Rolos • Green M&M’s • 1/4 cup cooking oil

• 1 bag large marshmallows • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal • Red food coloring • Yellow food coloring

Directions 1. Melt butter over low heat in a large pot. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat and add 4 drops of red food coloring and 12 drops of yellow food coloring, stirring constantly. Add Rice Krispies cereal and mix well. 2. Coat your hands in cooking oil and then mold a handful of cereal into a small ball. Place finished ball on parchment paper. Add more oil to your hands before molding each ball. 3. While still warm, gently press a Mini Rolo onto the top of each ball and add one green M&M beside it to make a leaf and stem. Let cool until firm and enjoy!

Have a happy Howloween!

Izzy & Emma