Texan ENT Specialists - March 2021

Texan ENT Specialists - March 2021

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

MARCH 2021

Main Office:

Satellite Office:

1180 Seton Parkway, Suite 330 Kyle TX 78640

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

‘EAR, NEWS, AND THROAT’

SOMETHING TO FEEL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT

Dr. Evans' Take on the Vaccine

As we move into the third month of the year, how are you feeling? Personally, I'm feeling optimistic, and that's not just because I was recently reminded that March is National Optimism Month. I'm feeling optimistic because the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway, and that means we will eventually be freed of this pandemic and its many negative effects. As you probably know, the two approved vaccines currently being used require two doses. You probably also know that frontline health care workers are first in line for the vaccine, which is how I ended up getting my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 19 and the second dose on Jan. 9. This leaves me feeling optimistic, too, that I'll be even more equipped now to keep myself, my family members, and my patients safe. I know some people are very eager to get vaccinated, while others are more hesitant. I thought this would be a great time for me to talk more about how to assess the benefits and risks of getting the vaccine — and the benefits and risks of not getting it. As a doctor, this is how I make any medical decision: weighing benefits versus risks. The vaccine has both known and unknown risks. Common side effects include arm pain at the injection site and feeling some flu-like symptoms for a day or two following the injection. Personally, I felt fine after my first injection, just a little arm pain. I felt worse after the second injection — some fatigue, achiness that lasted about a day — but it wasn't anything that stopped me from going about my normal routine.

Since both vaccines are relatively new, we don't yet know for certain about the potential long-term risks. But for other vaccines, almost all side effects and complications happen within two months. What you can do is make a risk comparison. If you don't get the vaccine, chances are high that you'll eventually get COVID-19. And by now, you probably know that, at best, you'll be asymptomatic and, at worst, you could die from it. The likelihood of dying varies, of course, depending on your age and other health problems. But no matter what, your risk of dying from some complication of the vaccine is much, much lower, even if you're a 20-year-old marathon runner. Many people who contract COVID-19 fall somewhere in between: They feel terrible for a few days or weeks, but then recover. Some, though, deal with chronic health problems for months, or even permanently, after they've recovered from the initial illness. So, that's how I thought about this. I figured I'd rather get the vaccine, risk feeling a little crappy for a day or two, and then be able to rest assured that I won't contract a potentially life-threatening disease and that I'll help speed up the process of ending the pandemic, which requires immunity from the majority of people. There is a benefit of contracting COVID-19, and it is a similar benefit to getting the vaccine: You will have some level of immunity to catching the virus again. However, that comes with much higher risks of short- or long-term health problems or death.

This is my take, but I'd encourage each of you to spend 10–20 minutes doing a little research. Read a bit on how vaccines work in general and how the new COVID vaccines work in particular. Assess your current views and see if they're being driven primarily by information or emotion. Then act in your own best interest. Finally, I'll say that while the pandemic has undoubtedly caused its fair share of difficulties, we have one thing to be optimistic about. Like other horrifying events in history — previous pandemics and world wars come to mind — this pandemic may provide great advances in vaccine medicine that we all benefit from now and that will continue to benefit our children and grandchildren well into the future. Without World War I, modern trauma surgery would not have been developed, and without World War II, we wouldn't have discovered penicillin. And without the COVID-19 pandemic, we wouldn't have known we are capable of producing a successful vaccine for a unique pathogen in less than a year. This shatters the previous record of the four years it took to develop the mumps vaccine in the 1960s.

I think that's definitely worth feeling optimistic about.

–Dr. Seth Evans

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It’s no coincidence that National Corn Dog Day is March 20 — the third Saturday of the month. This day is traditionally the first Saturday of March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. But wait. What do corn dogs and a basketball tournament have to do with one another? Turns out, National Corn Dog Day has everything to do with March Madness. The “holiday” began in March 1992 when two Corvallis, Oregon, high school students needed a snack while watching a basketball game. They got some corn dogs and called it good. But somehow, this simple snack and sport pairing turned into something huge. In fact, eating corn dogs while watching March Madness caught on like wildfire — and the teens didn’t even have Instagram to promote it! Though it’s not clear how, it spread across Oregon and eventually the rest of the country. It’s likely that people just heard about it from friends and family and thought it was a great idea. The corn dog, like basketball, is an American creation. In the 1920s, the creators toyed around with the idea of fried foods on a stick. They battered and fried everything from cheese to bananas, but it was the battered sausages that really stood out, and the corn dog was born. By the 1940s, the convenient creation had popped up at state fairs and drive-in restaurants all over the country. In 2012, in honor of the original Corn Dog Day, the then-governor of Oregon issued an official proclamation naming March 17 National Corn Dog Day in the state. Several companies jumped on the bandwagon as well, including Foster Farms

Don’t Stress Over Dull Knives

Methods to KeepYour Blades Sharp When you're preparing food, the last thing you want to use is a dull knife. Not only does it make cutting more difficult, but it's also dangerous. That’s because you have to apply more force with a dull knife than a sharp one, which can lead to serious injury if your hand slips. Here are a few sharpening methods to consider if your kitchen blades are getting dull. Honing Steel This tool is commonly misunderstood. While a honing steel won’t sharpen your knives, it is a crucial part of the sharpening process and caring for your knives. Honing steels are used to realign knife blades, which begin to bend over time. Straightening the blade with a honing steel will make cutting with and sharpening the knife easier. Whetstones A whetstone is one of the most reliable ways to sharpen your knives because it gives you control over the process. Though you should consult the manufacturer’s instructions on your particular stone, you need to saturate most whetstones with water before use. Once saturated, place your knife at a 20-degree angle at the top of the coarse side of the whetstone. Drag the blade down the length of the stone in an even sweeping motion. Repeat this several times on both sides of the blade, then flip the whetstone and repeat the process on the side with the fine grain. Professional Sharpener The best and safest way to get your knives sharp is to let a professional do it. Not only will they keep your blades straight and perfectly sharp, but they also understand how to care for your knives and ensure their longevity. Even if you sharpen your knives at home occasionally, take them to a professional at least once a year. Knife Sharpeners If you do use a manual or electric knife sharpener at home, use it on cheaper knives and not your most treasured chef’s knife. Knife sharpeners may be inexpensive and easy to use, but they can also grind the blade down, which can harm it rather than sharpen it.

(a maker of frozen corn dogs, among many other meat products) and the Pabst Brewing Company.

While it’s not an “official” national day recognized by the U.S. Congress, it’s celebrated with

thousands of events every March. And it’s grown beyond its U.S. roots. An article printed in The Oregonian in 2009 revealed that National Corn Dog Day parties have

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll keep your knives as sharp as they were the day you bought them.

been celebrated on nearly every continent — including Antarctica!

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5Ways to Prevent Age-Related Hearing Loss Age Is Not the Enemy

As noted choreographer Twyla Tharp says, “Age is not the enemy.” At age 79, Tharp is still choreographing and dancing in award-winning shows. The key to overcoming age-related ailments, she says, is not to be complacent. Being proactive about your physical health at every stage in life can help ensure better outcomes as you age. This is certainly true of age-related hearing loss, which afflicts an astonishing 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. While some hearing loss is common as we age, there are several simple things you can do to reduce or even prevent it. Get your hearing tested regularly. Age-related hearing loss tends to happen gradually, so it can be difficult to detect. If you start increasing the volume on your TV, finding conversations or others’ speech difficult to understand, or

experiencing ringing in your ears (tinnitus), you should schedule an appointment to have your hearing checked. Also, hearing loss is often genetic, so be aware of any family history of it. Avoid damaging loud noises. This one is a no-brainer, yet it’s important advice that is often ignored. Loud noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss and one of the easiest to prevent. If you cannot avoid certain loud noises — for example, working at a construction site — follow the next tip to protect your ears. Use ear protection. Sometimes loud noises are unavoidable. In those cases, be sure to use some kind of hearing protection. Expandable foam earplugs, commercial-grade earmuffs, or noise-canceling headphones are all good options for ear protection. Even if you choose to attend a loud concert,

using earplugs can protect your hearing while still allowing you to enjoy the performance.

Tend to other medical conditions and know their side effects. Conditions like diabetes and heart disease decrease your circulation, which can lead to hearing loss by affecting the sensitive inner ear. Keep these conditions under control and you’ll also be doing your ears a favor. Similarly. some medications cause hearing loss as a side effect. This is often temporary, but be aware of the side effects your medications may have. Have good hygiene. Ear hygiene, that is. Wax buildup in the ears can lead to difficulty hearing. Talk to Dr. Evans about the best ways to keep your ears clean, especially if you notice excessive buildup. HAVE A LAUGH

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients

•

1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

• • • • •

1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced

•

2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn

• •

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Zest of 1 orange

1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 2. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 3. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 4. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 5. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts' edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

If you love spaghetti, you’ll love these zucchini noodles!

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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 Feel Optimistic About

Page 2 A Match Made in Cornmeal Batter Heaven

4 Methods to Keep Your Knives Sharp

Page 3 Prevent Age-Related Hearing Loss

Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

Page 4 A Word From the Westies

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

Thinking About Thumbs A DOG CAN DREAM, RIGHT?

Hi everyone! While the humans are off celebrating the start of spring or St. Patrick’s Day, the two of us are celebrating a very, very special and almost criminally underappreciated holiday that happens on March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day. How is this amazing day not on everyone’s calendar? If we had thumbs, we’d go write it into Mom's and Dad’s planners right now! But that’s not the only thing we’d do if we had that amazing opposable digit that only humans and other primates have. I hope they grasp the importance of having this unique finger. (Grasp! Get it? We crack ourselves up.) We each have different ideas about what we’d do if we had thumbs, so we’re each going to take a moment to let you in on our first-digit dreams. If Izzy had thumbs: Well, I’d definitely always have control of the remote. When animals come on the TV, I always have to let them know I’m the guard

dog of the house, and they have no place here! It would be awesome if I could just pick up the remote and change the channel on those intruders! I’d also use my thumbs to open the back door when squirrels start taunting me as they like to do. They’d never see me coming! Usually, Mom or Dad has to let me out to get a run at them, but imagine how amazing it would be if I could open the door myself every time! If Emma had thumbs: What wouldn’t I do?! I’d definitely challenge Izzy to a thumb-wresting match first thing. Since I’m such a cuddle bug, I could also use the coveted thumbs-up to express to my humans just how much I love to snuggle with them. We’d both also love to learn how to use the can opener. Wet food is amazing, and being able to go into the cabinet, get a can of chicken dinner, and open it ourselves would be such a dream come true! I don’t know if our humans would like that very

much, but at least we could also help out with the dishes! We’re pretty short, though, so we’d need a stool to reach the counter. This all might sound a little silly, but even dogs can dream, right? Speaking of dreams, we’re off to have a nice nap!