Texan ENT - May 2018

Texan ENT - May 2018

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

MAY 2018

‘EAR, NEWS, AND THROAT’

(Hint: The Answer Is My Mom) WHO’S THE BEST MOM?

T his month, I want to celebrate Mother’s Day by shouting out all the wonderful moms in the world. Now, I know there are a lot of people who will say their mom is the best. Well, I’m sorry to tell you, but my mom is actually the best mom of all time. In terms of my personality and nature, I really take after my mom. We’re both introverts who like to read and learn new things. We’re probably similar because we spent so much time together. When I was a kid I was the firstborn child, and for the first 10 years of my life, she was a stay-at- home mom. When she did go back to work, she worked with my dad as a paralegal in his law office. My mom is the kind of person who is always going to be there for you. Even as an adult, she’s my confidant and advisor. If I’m struggling with a problem, she’s one of the first people I turn to. She’s very thoughtful and gives good advice for just about everything — although, I must admit that I can be stubborn when she tells me something I don’t want to hear, even if it’s smart advice. In the end, her advice always makes sense and puts my interests first. As a teenager, I certainly didn’t see things that way. I remember being a middle school student, sitting in front of the TV and playing “Super Mario Bros.” on my Nintendo Entertainment System. There were times when I’d get to a hard part in the game and watch my life count drop as the little red plumber died over and over again. I would get so furious “My mom is the kind of person who is always going to be there for you. Even as an adult, she’s my confidant and advisor.”

that I ended up throwing the controller. When this happened, Mom did what any respectable parent would do: She took my Nintendo and hid it for a week. This, of course, only made me madder. I honestly don’t know how she put up with me. But thankfully, she did put up with me. And like many teenagers, when I went away to college, my

My mom and me

relationship with my mom smoothed over. I started to recognize what a warm and loving person she is and that she really does have my best interests at heart. Now that I’m married and have given my mom her first granddaughter, I feel like I’m starting to repay her for putting up with all my teen angst. I won’t be seeing my mom in person on Mother’s Day, but Renee and I are taking Audrey out to visit my family in Virginia for Memorial Day at the end of the month. My mom and dad are both thrilled to see Audrey

again. They came down to visit right after she was born and have been over the moon ever since. I send them videos of Audrey every day, and they still ask for more. This Mother’s Day, I want my mom to know how much she means to me. Mom, thank you for everything you’ve done for our family. I love you. –Dr. Seth Evans

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W e’ve all walked into our kitchens, looked at the dishes stacked high in the sink, and asked, “Is it better to throw those in the dishwasher or wash them by hand?” The dishwasher would certainly save you some time, but many people believe that washing dishes by hand uses less water and electricity. In reality, however, washing your dishes by hand is one of the worst things you can do for both the planet and your wallet. Dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. A study conducted in Europe found that individuals who wash dishes by hand tend to use 27 gallons of water to clean just 12 place settings. Meanwhile, modern dishwashers only use 6 gallons of water, and Energy Star appliances use as little as 4 gallons during their wash cycle. The Environmental Protection Agency determined that using a dishwasher instead of washing by hand can save 5,000 gallons of water and $40 in utility costs a year. It’s not just about water! Unless you have incredibly thick dishwashing gloves, you can’t properly clean your dishes by hand. Dishwashers heat water to around 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your dishes are disinfected. Even if the water from your sink could get that hot, you wouldn’t want to stick your hand in it. Which brings us to the science experiment that is your kitchen sponge. Dr. Philip Tierno, a clinical professor in the microbiology and pathology departments at NYU Langone, determined that your kitchen sponge is the single dirtiest item in your house. Soap and water aren’t enough to sanitize your sponge, which is left damp next to your sink after each use. Have you ever noticed that stagnant sponge smell? That’s bacteria growing. And when you wash your dishes by hand, you rub that bacteria all over your plates and silverware. Yum. If you have just a single plate or cup, you obviously don’t want to run them through the dishwasher alone; that would be incredibly wasteful. But the drawbacks of washing by hand are too great to ignore. The best option is to wait until your dishwasher is full, then start up the washing cycle. All your dishes will be clean and disinfected, and you’ll use less water in the process.

3 OF HISTORY’S BRAVEST MOMS Moms make the world go round. After running the gauntlet of childbirth, they raise and guide us throughout our lives, shouldering the tremendous burden and responsibility of motherhood. Mothers are in turn formidable, kind, powerful, gentle, wise, fierce, patient, supportive, empathetic, driven, and full of love. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are three historic moms who never stopped fighting for what they believed in. MOTHERS SHAPE THE WORLD Before she escaped from New York slaveholder John Dumont, Sojourner Truth had at least three of her children sold away from her. When Dumont went back on his promise to emancipate Truth and her infant daughter in 1826, she took the girl and fled to an abolitionist Quaker family, but she was forced to leave her other daughter and her 5-year-old son, Peter, behind. Soon after, she learned that Peter had been illegally sold by Dumont to a slaveholder in Alabama, so she went to court and secured his safe return. It was the first successful case brought by a black woman against a white man in American history. Truth went on to become a prominent abolitionist and a speaker for women’s rights, delivering her famous impromptu speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” in May of 1851. SOJOURNER TRUTH (1797–1883)

IRENA SENDLER (1910–2008)

When the Nazis invaded Warsaw in September of 1939, Irena Sendler, a 29-year-old social worker and mother of two, hatched a scheme to rescue Jewish children from the brutal ghettos. Along with many friends and colleagues, she smuggled out nearly 2,500 Jewish orphans, hiding infants on trams and garbage wagons and guiding kids through a labyrinth of secret passageways beneath the city.

EMMELINE PANKHURST (1858–1928)

Despite being a wife and the mother of five children — two of whom died tragically young — Emmeline Pankhurst became one of the fiercest advocates for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century. After founding the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903, she and her cohorts adopted an aggressive strategy to raise awareness for the issue; they began by buttonholing politicians and staging rallies, then progressed to vandalism, window smashing, and arson. She was instrumental in the movement. Pankhurst lived to see women gain the right to vote in 1928.

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Piercing guns are one of the most commonly used tools at piercing shops in malls. While you might hear stories of mall piercings going perfectly fine, it’s not recommended. Piercing guns can be disinfected, but they can’t be fully sterilized. An object needs to be exposed to intense heat in order for it to be properly sterilized. However, the guns used in the mall are made of plastic, and the heat would cause them to melt. You’re less likely to get an infection at a tattoo parlor than the mall. Infection is the most common complication children, teens, and adults face after getting a piercing. One way to avoid infection is to wash the area at least twice a day afterward. Another recommendation is to avoid touching the area until it’s fully healed. However, before you set foot in a tattoo parlor, you need to make sure your teen is healthy. This may seem unnecessary, but it’s a step that can prevent complications later on. Medical conditions such as diabetes, allergies, skin disorders, or having a weak immune system can drastically affect a person after the piercing. Make certain that your teen is good to go for a piercing of their choice by taking them to your ENT doctor. Call Dr. Seth Evans at Texan ENT at 512.550.0321 today to schedule a checkup. If your teen is dying for a piercing, you’ll now be armed with the knowledge of where to go and what will happen. Self-expression is an important part of growing up — just make sure it’s done safely.

A piercing can be a fun way for teens to express themselves. Whether it’s a nose, ear, lip, or brow piercing, it’s an exciting and new experience for them. With summer nearly upon us, many teens are anxious to get something done so they can show off to their friends come fall. Agreeing to their desperate pleas is one thing, but remember — safety first! One of the best places to get your ears pierced is a tattoo parlor. They use one-time disposable needles instead of piercing guns. Piercing guns puncture rather than pierce the skin. WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PIERCINGS

LAUGH! HAVE A

Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta Zucchini and summer squash are arriving on grocery store shelves. Here is a great way to take these humble, delicious vegetables to the next level. This easy dish is perfect for early summer.

Inspired by thekitchn.com

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese • Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 zucchini • 1 summer squash • 1/2 medium red onion • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2 minutes), add zucchini and squash. Season with salt and pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize. 4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Page 1 Happy Mother’s Day

Page 2 Kitchen Cleaning Secrets

Page 2 3 of the Most Formidable Moms in History

Page 3 What Parents Need to Know About Piercings

Page 3 Sautéed Zucchini and SquashWith Feta

Page 4 Word From theWesties

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

SIT, STAY, PLAY! Summer Fun With Izzy and Emma

I recommend this tasty recipe: petguide.com/ health/dog/frozen-yogurt-

Hello, everybody!

Izzy and Emma here, excited that summer has arrived. The humans in our pack don’t have fur, so they stay indoors as much as possible during the winter. But come summer, we can all run around outdoors. Izzy and I are excited to show little Audrey howmuch fun it is to play outside. Once she learns how to hold a ball, we think she’s going to be great at fetch. This month, we wanted to share some of our favorite summertime activities that are perfect for people and pups. Glow-in-the-Dark Fetch The game doesn’t have to end just because the sun sets. Glow-in-the-dark balls and Frisbees are perfect for a game of fetch beneath the stars. We don’t recommend going the DIY route with this game, though. You don’t want glow-in-the-dark paint chipping off in your dog’s mouth. Gross! Share an Ice Cream That’s right, ice cream is no longer just for humans! There are special brands of ice creammade just for dogs. They swap out sugar and dairy (which can make us feel sick) with tasty peanut butter or fruit. You can buy some at the store or make your own.

dog-treats-recipe. Go for a Swim

It’s not summer vacation without a trip to the pool. Now, most public pools don’t want dogs splashing around, but there are pet-friendly beaches and lakes all over. Or you can break out the kiddie pool for some fun in the backyard. Pool party, anyone? Don’t Forget to Bring Extra Water Bottles!

Whether you’re taking a trip to a (dog-friendly) beach or playing in the backyard, everyone needs to drink plenty of water. This is important for family members who walk on two legs and four. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke, too, so make sure everyone is hydrated and has a shady place to cool off when they’re playing outside.

Here’s to a great summer with your own pack. Stay safe and have fun!

Izzy & Emma