TEXAN ENT February 2019

TEXAN ENT February 2019

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

FEBRUARY 2019

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’

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I’ve been thinking a lot about love. Not just romantic love or familial love, but the parts of life we love just because they make things better. This month, I want to shout out all the things and people I love and thank them for making my world go around. Traveling the World Traveling has been a passion of mine for years. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting so many wonderful places. My trip to New Zealand still ranks at the top of my travel list. Since Audrey came into our lives, it’s been a little harder to take long trips. She’s so small, and traveling with babies is a trial of wills. But Renee and I still travel when we can. We have a ski trip to Colorado planned for February. My parents are coming down to take care of Audrey for a few days while Renee and I hit the slopes. We’re really looking forward to spending some time with just the two of us — though I’m sure we’ll miss Audrey like crazy from the moment we say goodbye. Living in Texas As much as I enjoy exploring the world and having adventures, I’m glad I can always return home to Texas. I love this community I call home. People here are as friendly and warm as the weather, which I also love! Growing up farther north, I got tired of those three months of snow and A Few of My FavoriteThings WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST?

fit. But now, we know how to wait and find the right person. When someone is right for a job, they come in and knock it out of the park, working well with the patients and clicking with the rest of the team. Today, I’m proud to say every single person at the office knocks it out of the park every day. My Patients I know every doctor insists they love their patients, but I truly like the people who come to my office. The people I serve are a big reason why I love living in Texas. I’ve never met more real people anywhere else. When you meet someone from Hays County, you can be certain they’ll shoot straight with you. There’s not a lot of putting up pretenses or acting fake. My patients are the most salt-of-the-Earth people you’ll ever get to meet. My Family This list is in no particular order, but I did want to finish the letter with Renee and Audrey. My family is just amazing. Our first year with Audrey flew by fast. She’s grown so much! More and more, she’s becoming a little person ready to learn about the world. And I might be biased, but I have to say she’s just the cutest baby in the world. Our first year with Audrey wasn’t always easy, but we got through the highs and lows because Renee is a champ. Before Audrey was born, Renee was worried about if she would be a good mom. I, for one, always knew she was going to be a great mom, and this year, she really proved it. She cares so much and makes an effort to always make the right choice for Audrey. Renee is fun, has a great sense of humor, and just makes you feel wonderful when you’re around her.

cold we suffered through every year. I love that, even in the middle of winter, Texas is beautiful and sunny. I can wear short sleeves and spend a day at the park with my family in December. It’s freeing. My Office Staff In addition to having a great state to come home to, I also have a great office to work at. Almost everyone at the office has been around for over two years, and a few of them have been here for five now. It’s cool to have that kind of longevity. Early in the practice, things weren’t like that. We went through several people who weren’t the right

“The people I

serve are a big reason why I love living in Texas.”

I’m fortunate to have so many things to love in life, frommy wife and daughter to the people I’ve met traveling the world. This Valentine’s Day, I hope you have a lot to love, too. –Dr. Seth Evans

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Being healthy is at the forefront of many Americans’ minds. The nutrients you put into your system are critical to keeping your mind and body healthy. Everyone knows that staying away from junk, fried, and sugary foods is a good start, but knowing what to add to your diet is equally crucial. Leafy greens, such as kale, mizuna, and spinach, are rich in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron. They also contain vitamins C, K, and E. Adding these greens into your diet can support weight loss and reduce your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. To make sure you’re eating enough greens, divide your plate up between fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats. Vegetables or fruits should take up half of your plate. One-fourth should be lean proteins, and one-fourth should be whole grains. This guarantees that you’re eating a well-balanced meal and not overloading yourself with large portions of unnecessary calories. When you eat a well-balanced meal, you provide your body with the right nutrients and the calories it needs. If you’re unsure how many calories you should eat to maintain your current weight, multiply your weight in pounds by 12. If you want to lose weight, start by subtracting 500 calories per week to lose approximately 1 pound per week. You can start adding greens into your diet by adding them as side dishes. For dinner, serve a bowl of steamed broccoli or green beans. Instead of grabbing a burger at lunchtime, pack a leafy green salad topped with protein, such as nuts or chicken. This time of year, soups and stews that contain leafy greens will warm you up. If you don’t enjoy eating greens, hide them in smoothies and juices. The more you eat leafy greens, the more you’ll develop a taste for them. Who knows? Before long, you might find yourself reaching for the broccoli instead of the potato chips when you’re craving a snack.

THE 5-SECOND RULE WILL MAKE YOU SICK

3 HEALTH MYTHS YOU PROBABLY BELIEVE We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction. Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. People seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water. The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false. The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle-cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health. The 5-Second Rule Keeps Food Safe Bottled Water Is Safer Than Tap Water Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis

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T H E WRONG NOT E How Musicians Can Protect Their Hearing

loud levels of sound for upward of six hours a day. This exposure can lead to severe tinnitus and hearing loss, which can threaten a musician’s ability to play music as well as decrease their overall health. Fortunately, there are simple ways musicians can protect their hearing. ●Wear earplugs. ●When playing music, stand behind the speakers or have the speakers pointed away from you. ● Take breaks when practicing. Reducing the duration of time your ears are continually exposed to loud noise can help prevent hearing loss. While classical musicians may have a higher risk for hearing loss, the reality is musicians of any genre run the risk of damaging their hearing if they don’t take proper precautions. If you have a child who plays music, be sure they learn how to protect their hearing from a young age. If you think you may be suffering from sudden or chronic hearing loss as a result of playing music, give us a call at 512.550.0321. Our audiologist can provide a comprehensive hearing test and help you address any problems related to hearing loss you may be struggling with.

Which instrument is more likely to result in hearing loss: an electric guitar or a Stradivarius violin? Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, looked into this question, and you might be surprised by the answer. “Generally, it’s assumed that rock ‘n’ rollers are at greater risk for hearing loss,” says Dr. Ross Tonini, an audiologist from Baylor. “But it’s actually classical musicians who have higher rates of noise-induced hearing loss.” Dr. Tonini’s research matched the findings of a Norwegian study conducted in 2016. The study examined one of Norway’s largest classical orchestras and determined that classical musicians are at an “extreme risk” for hearing loss. Researchers found that “hearing impairment is a significant problem for 43.6 percent of the musicians” and “76.9 percent of the musicians experience tinnitus [ringing in the ears] of varying frequencies.” Since classical music is held in such high esteem, it’s easy to forget that the beautiful sound is noise. But violins can reach 103 decibels, a noise level higher than most power tools. To put this in perspective, the World Health Organization recommends 85 decibels to be the upper limit of noise exposure in the workplace. On average, classical musicians are exposed to dangerously

LAUGH! HAVE A

Spicy Salmon Tartare This delicious tartare is the perfect healthy alternative to gut-busting game-day dips. Serve alongside your favorite chips or crackers for an appetizer that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

•

3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons grape seed or vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

• • • • •

1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• • • • •

1/4 teaspoon lime zest

1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

Crackers or chips, for serving

•

1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced

Directions

1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.

Inspired by Epicurious

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Page 1 Something to Love

Page 2 Getting Important Greens on Your Plate

Page 2 Let’s Retire These Health Myths

Page 3 Before Your Next Sound Check

Page 3 Spicy Salmon Tartare

Page 4 AWord From the Westies

PUPPY LOVE Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HowDogs Say, ‘I LoveYou!’

Head-Butts —Have you ever had a cat bump their head against yours? These head butts are called “bunting,” and it’s one weird way cats show affection. Slow Blinks —While dogs like to maintain eye contact with our favorite humans, cats are more likely to blink at the humans they love. For cats, closing your eyes in the presence of another creature shows trust.

What’s your favorite way to say, “I love you”? Some people write notes, give gifts, or just say it out of the blue. Dogs can’t do any of these things, so telling our humans we love them can be tricky. This month, Emma and I want to share some of our favorite ways we show our humans how much we adore them! Staring Contest — For us dogs, locking eyes can be a threat, but when we look at a human we love and trust, it’s actually a sign of love! When dogs look at their humans, our brains release oxytocin, a bonding hormone. Leaning —Hugging is a little hard for dogs. So instead, we show affection by leaning against our humans’ legs. Sighing —Depending on the situation, a dog’s sigh can mean a number of different things. But if your dog stretches out next to you or snuggles up in your lap and lets out a long, soft sigh, take that to mean, “I love you!” Affectionate Felines We know some readers are cat people, so we’ve consulted a few of our feline friends to include ways cats show their people love!

Napping on Your Lap — Cats love to sleep, but they’ll only snooze in places where they feel safe. If a cat chooses your lap as their favorite napping spot, it means they are completely comfortable around you.

We hope this give you a little more insight into howmuch your pet loves you!

Izzy & Emma