TEXAN ENT - December 2021

TEXAN ENT - December 2021

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

DECEMBER 2021

Main Office:

1009 W. San Antonio Street Lockhart, TX 78644 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month ‘EAR, NEWS, AND THROAT’ Satellite Office:

1180 Seton Parkway, Suite 330 Kyle, TX 78640

CLOSING OUT THE YEAR

And Getting Ready for 2022

Both at home and in the office, 2021 has been an eventful year.

Personally, my family is excited to spend our first Christmas fully settled into our house. Last Christmas, we’d only been moved in for about two months, and the downstairs renovations still weren’t done, so it was about all we could do to just get a Christmas tree. Then, the winter storms flooded our first floor, and we were kicked out of our home for several months again. As you can imagine, that was pretty stressful with a 3-year-old and a baby less than 1 year old! Thankfully, that’s all over, and we plan to do a full holiday celebration with Christmas lights, stockings, and the works. My parents, Renee’s parents, and her brother will all be in town, and we’re excited to host the festivities. Audrey will be 4 by Christmas, so now that she’s old enough to understand, this will also be the first year we go into full Santa mode. We think she’ll get a big kick out of that, and maybe she’ll even get to have her picture taken with Santa. Last year, he was inside a “snow globe,” which was really just a giant plastic barrier. Hopefully, it will be safe for Santa to venture outside his bubble this Christmas. At work, the biggest change we’ve experienced is the resignation of Lori, our longtime nurse and office manager. If you’ve been to the office, there’s a good chance you’ve met her and know that she was great at her job. During the eight years she spent here, she really grew into her role until she was basically running the administrative office. She wanted to get back to working with patients more and took an opportunity where she could do that. I was sad to see her leave, but I understand and wish her all the best. Lori did so many things for the office, and I had a lot to learn before she left. I’m now doing a bit of reorganization and taking on many of the managerial and administrative responsibilities. To replace Lori, we’ve also hired a new medical assistant named Erika, who helps with the procedures, calls back patients who have questions, and overall helps us to provide excellent care. During the couple of months she’s been here, we’ve found her to be smart, kind, and great at what she does.

We’re also glad to welcome our new billing and insurance assistant, Kelli. While you’re less likely to talk to her directly than you are to Erika, she performs a crucial role at the office. We try hard to figure out what our patients’ out-of- pocket costs will be prior to their visit to ensure there aren’t any problems. Kelli checks with insurance and ensures we don’t have any wrenches in the works with regard to payment or finances, hopefully resolving a problem before you even know about it. While there have been a lot of changes around the office, we’re still chugging along, and things are getting back to normal. Despite the turnover, we’re proud to have maintained the same level of service we’ve always provided to our patients.

As a whole, the last two years have been interesting, to say the least. After everything all of us have been through, I would love nothing more than to have a boring year. Here’s to a happy — but hopefully uneventful — 2022!

–Dr. Seth Evans

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When keeping your house clean, you probably focus on the major germ hotspots: kitchens and bathrooms. You may, however, be overlooking the room where you spend the most time — your bedroom. Failure to thoroughly clean the place where you sleep can have negative effects on your health in terms of worsened allergies or asthma. Feel your best by following these three cleaning tips. Banish dust high and low. Your bedroom’s biggest threat to your health probably exists in the form of dust mites. These microscopic organisms live off the dead human skin found in dust, and while they prefer soft surfaces like your bedding, their presence anywhere can cause an allergic reaction. To keep your bedroom as dust-free as possible, start with the blades of your ceiling fan and give the tops a good scrub. Work your way down over furniture and shelving, ending at the baseboards. Don’t forget to clean the vent covers, which are dust magnets. Pay attention to your air quality. Central heating and air systems keep your house temperate but also circulate dust through the air. Make sure to change your filters as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions. If you use any in-room devices like air purifiers, dehumidifiers, or window air conditioners, you should change the filters monthly. Meanwhile, be mindful of mold — try to keep the room at 50% humidity or lower and clean any mold in and around windows immediately with a bleach/chlorine solution. (Don’t forget to wear a protective mask!) Clean all your soft surfaces. You probably know to change and wash your sheets once a week, but what about all of the other soft surfaces in your bedroom, like outer bedding and curtains? In addition to the risk of dust mites, soft surfaces trap dirt and oils. Your comforter or bedspread should be washed every 1–2 months. Many people also forget about their pillows; protective pillow covers used under your pillowcase should be washed monthly, while pillows themselves should be washed 2–3 times per year. Lastly, your curtains collect dust, too — wash them 3–4 times annually. With the above tips, your bedroom will be cleaner and more relaxing than ever. Take in the clean air and fresh scents and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

You know Dasher and Dancer, and you definitely know Rudolph. Everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer was first born as a 1939 short story, but he truly shot to fame when his tale was adapted into a song by Gene Autry in 1949. Rivaling even the song’s fame is the Rankin/Bass stop-motion special that airs like clockwork every year around Christmas. Generations have now grown up with Rudolph, so it may be surprising to learn that his journey to the small screen started as a General Electric promotion. The company had a running television special on NBC called the “GE Fantasy Hour,” which they used to market their products directly to viewers. The better the story they told, the more viewers they got — and the more toasters they could sell. The script introduced crucial new characters like Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the prospector, and of course, Bumble the abominable snowman. GE hired innovative Japanese animators to create the film using stop-motion techniques that were highly advanced for the time. GE invested the modern equivalent of $4.5 million into the production of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and the special first aired in 1964. Those who are familiar with the film know that it ends with Rudolph enlisting Santa to save the Misfit Toys from earlier in the movie — but it didn’t originally. The version that aired in 1964 concludes with Rudolph leading Santa’s sleigh but forgetting all about his homeless friends. The backlash was swift, and viewers wrote in to express displeasure at the heartless resolution. GE decided the special had to be corrected and played again with the proper ending in 1965. And so, a tradition of annual airings was born. Today, “Rudolph” is the longest-running Christmas special in history, and our favorite misfit deer shows no signs of slowing down after 57 years. The movie has transformed into a marketing bonanza, with new Christmas decorations, figurines, and toys being produced each year. Though it’s somewhat shocking to our modern sensibilities to see Santa bullying his reindeer employees and their children, fond childhood memories mean that parents continue to pass the special down to their kids. Even as we recognize its flaws, the dazzling animation and famous songs continue to bring joy and Christmas spirit to households around the country. Just as sure as Santa comes every year, so does Rudolph. RUDOLPH, YOU’LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY BEHIND THE EVERGREEN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

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HELLO, HELLO ...

AN ENT CAN TREAT VERTIGO?

Vertigo isn’t just a U2 song or a movie by Alfred Hitchcock; it’s also an experience that approximately 70% of people will have at some point. People with vertigo frequently experience dizziness or a sensation that objects around them are moving or spinning. Ongoing symptoms can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, and vertigo greatly increases the chance of falls in seniors, which can result in hospitalization or even death. The first thing to know about vertigo is that it’s a symptom, not a disease. There’s no one-size-fits- all treatment for vertigo because there’s not just one cause. Treatment of any patient’s vertigo will depend on the underlying condition.

can be caused by a variety of conditions. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) occurs when calcium crystals in the ears break off and end up in the ear canal. The crystals then interfere with the normal movement of fluid in the ear. Meniere’s disease causes fluid buildup in the part of the ear that’s responsible for balance. And many cases of vertigo are caused by vestibular neuritis, where a nerve in the ear becomes inflamed, possibly due to viral infection. Vertigo resulting from ear crystals can often be treated with the Epley maneuver, which adjusts the calcium crystals in the ear canal. Meanwhile, fluid buildup can sometimes be resolved with antihistamines, antibiotics, or a reduced salt intake, depending on the cause. Some patients will require motion sickness medication to reduce

nausea. Symptoms can also often be reduced with physical therapy, which can help a person regain balance and avoid falling. If other treatments don’t work, and the symptoms are debilitating, severe cases of vertigo might require surgery. This is generally considered a last resort and is something Dr. Evans would not consider until all other treatment options are exhausted. If you’re struggling with vertigo, we can help you reduce or even eliminate your symptoms. Don’t go through life feeling off balance — schedule a consultation with Dr. Evans today to get back on an even keel. HAVE A LAUGH

Most vertigo is caused by incorrect signals being sent from the inner ear to the brain. These signals

CRISPY FISH WITH BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Inspired by BonAppetit.com

Want to enjoy the decadence of the holiday season without adding too much to your waistline? Swap red meat for fish and serve this delicious, easy dish.

Ingredients

• •

1 tbsp olive oil

• • • •

6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/2 cup blanched hazelnuts, chopped

4 5-oz Chilean sea bass or salmon filets, skin-on

2 tsp lemon juice

•

Salt and pepper, to taste

Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. In an unheated skillet, add oil. Season fish with salt and pepper, then add to skillet (skin-down). 2. Heat the skillet to medium and cook for 4 minutes. With a spatula, press each filet down, rotating between filets every few seconds. When the skin begins to crisp, stop pressing and cook 8–10 minutes, then flip and cook for another minute. Remove the fish. 3. Wipe the skillet clean and return to medium heat. Add the butter and hazelnuts. Heat, swirling continuously, until butter foams and browns. Remove from heat. 4. Stir in lemon juice and season to taste. Pour over fish, garnish, and serve with salad.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Cover Dr. Evans Reflects on 2021

Page 2 3 Tips to Keep Your Bedroom Clean How Rudolph Became a TV Institution

Page 3 How an ENT Can Help With Vertigo

Crispy Fish With Brown Butter Sauce

Page 4 A Holiday Word From the Westies

Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What to Get Your Canine Friend for Christmas FELIZ NAVI-DOG!

The humans have been bringing lots of new boxes and bags into the house for us to sniff, so we know it’s getting close to Christmastime. Since humans like to exchange gifts for this holiday, we know you’re planning on getting something for your dog. (Right?) We can be pretty complicated creatures, so we want to help you pick out the perfect present for your best friend. And if you don’t celebrate Christmas, don’t worry — we accept presents every day of the year. BEDS You probably haven’t noticed, but sometimes we like to take naps, and it sure would be nice to have a new bed to rest in. If your dog has worn out their sleeping spot, we know they’d love a replacement. There are all kinds of options available — some beds are fluffy, some are elevated, and some are even orthopedic! PUZZLES If you’ve got a clever or curious dog, consider getting them a puzzle. Puzzles or other interactive toys give us a problem to solve! They usually involve hidden treats, and we have to figure out how to get to them. It’s exercise for our brains — kind of like when you do a crossword puzzle or sudoku. (Plus, we get

something yummy at the end.)

TOYS We like toys! We like toys a lot. We like all kinds of toys. We like squeaky toys and rope toys and crinkle toys and chew toys.

We also like bones, Frisbees, bones, sticks … basically, anything we can put in our mouths. Even more important than the toy you get us, though, is playing with us afterward! After all, what good is a present if we can’t show it off? If all else fails, you can never go wrong with giving us some treats. We’re sure you know your dog’s favorite, so you can figure that one out on your own. In the end, us dogs just like to be included and know we’re part of the family. Happy holidays, humans!