Texan ENT Specialists - November 2020

Texan ENT Specialists - November 2020

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

NOVEMBER 2020

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’

WELCOME, CLAIRE! Our Second Daughter Is Home … In Our NEW Home!

A s Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but be filled with gratitude. In the midst of a pandemic and what has certainly been a difficult year, our little family grew, has stayed healthy so far, and moved into our new forever home. While I don’t recommend building and moving into a new home right around the time you welcome a newborn into your family, I can say that we are very lucky to enjoy this crazy time together. On Aug. 25, Claire Love Evans was born, entering this world much faster and more easily than her sister, Audrey, did. She was born with a full head of hair, just like every baby on Renee’s side of the family, and her name, like Audrey’s, holds a special meaning for us. When Audrey was born, we gave her the middle name of Eliza, after my sister who had passed away. When it came time to name our new baby, we pulled from Renee’s family. Her grandmother’s maiden name was Margaret Claire Love. So, that’s how our own Claire Love came to be. Claire is now at home with us, growing and gaining weight like a champ. She’s a quiet, calm baby, and for the most part, she’s been very easygoing, even with all the changes we’ve had. Just weeks after she was born, the finishing touches were being put on our house, but the house we had been staying at in the interim was going on the market. So, we had to bounce from that house to an Airbnb as we waited for our home

to be completed and our interim home got painted and spruced up for its new owners.

By the time you read this, we will hopefully be settled into our new home and catching our breath!

Becoming a dad all over again has been wonderful — even in the stressful moments. Of course, like most babies, Claire seems to have pinpointed the evening from dinnertime through 11 p.m. or so as the perfect time to get fussy. Newborns cry to release energy, so I know what she needs in those moments is for someone to hold her while she lets it out. I can handle the crying a lot better than Renee, so I take Claire into our bathroom, put her over my shoulder, and just let her tucker herself out with her crying. She calms down after that. While I don’t necessarily enjoy listening to a screaming baby, I value the time I get to spend with her, helping her fall back to sleep, and rocking her in my arms. In the weeks leading up to Claire’s birth, we started to prepare Audrey. I don’t think it fully hit her until we brought Claire home, but I could not have imagined a better reaction from Audrey. We had heard that some older siblings act out when a new baby is brought home but not Audrey. (I think the one-on-one time she received from her grandparents after Claire came home helped a lot!) I’m happy to see how Audrey interacts with Claire. She’s been very sweet with her baby sister, often wanting to hold her and give her kisses. I’m sure

once they both reach their teen years, that will be a different story. So, we’ll cherish these moments for now and hope that they continue to be close as they get older.

This year has been anything but normal, but it’s also been one of our most memorable as a family.

We have a new home, we had Claire, and our girls are happy and healthy. We are truly grateful for this crazy, fun, wonderful life — even if we could use a nap or two. –Dr. Seth Evans

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If the reason you know spinach is good for you is

because either your mother told you, or you saw Popeye the Sailor down a can before a fight and gain superhuman strength, you might not understand exactly why it’s so good for you. Rest assured, your mom

wasn’t lying (although Popeye might have been stretching the truth). Spinach is actually one of the most nutritious and versatile foods you can add to your diet. Here’s why. Incredible Nutrient-per-Calorie Count Three cups of spinach contain about 20 calories. However, those 3 cups also contain almost no fat, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of fiber. On top of that, you get more than 300% of your daily dose of vitamin K, which supports bone growth; 160% of your daily dose of vitamin A; and around 25%–40% of your daily dose of vitamin C, both of which help the immune system function properly. Potent Protection Against Disease The abundant antioxidants in spinach mitigate a staggering number of health problems. For starters, spinach has kaempferol, an antioxidant that can protect the body against cancer. Additionally, the antioxidant quercetin, also found in spinach, has been shown to have positive effects on brain health, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Other components of spinach can also improve blood pressure and protect eye health. Versatile in Meal Preparation Aside from the more scientific reasons that make spinach a superfood, you can prepare and consume spinach in so many creative ways. You can eat it raw as a part of a salad, throw a few leaves in a smoothie, cook it in stir fry, or bake it into some brownies. If you have a bag of spinach in your fridge, there’s no shortage of ways you can get some of those amazing health benefits. Just don’t expect to suddenly vanquish all your foes like Popeye did.

With the Perfect Blanket Fort After months spent stuck at home, it’s no surprise your kids are going stir crazy. Old toys get stale, new toys are expensive, and there’s only so much backyard-adventuring they can do as colder weather moves in. So, how can you keep your kids freshly entertained? Build an excellent blanket fort! Choose the space wisely. A smart fort-building space isn’t always what's easy or predictable. Living rooms and bedrooms are go-to spots, but take a look around your different rooms and consider how they might provide better building opportunities. For example, your dining room table can provide the support you need to build a massive fort. The long hallway leading to the bedrooms means the fort can have tunnels attached to it. You can even build in the attic, where the fort might not have to be temporary. Go for a space that’s fun and unique, even if it means it’s in your way for just a little while. Build it right. A fort ceiling needs to stay above your kids’ heads where it belongs. They don’t need standing room, but they do need something they can move through freely. Always remember to counterbalance by using lighter sheets on top and heavier blankets on the bottom to weigh everything down. If you add a blanket to one side, add a similar blanket to the opposite side. Also attach blankets to stationary items like doorknobs or furniture legs. If you’re stumped, string up a line of rope to serve as the stable center of your fort. Make it comfortable. If you take the time to construct a fort that has multiple purposes, your kids are less likely to get bored with it. When they’re all played out, encourage some quiet time in the fort with tablets and laptops for cordless entertainment. String up lights on the ceiling of the fort to provide hands- free light for reading. When it comes to comfort, spare no expense. Couch cushions, pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags are all fair game. You may even get an impromptu nap out of your kids if you do it right. BUILD HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT

Forts can be magical places for imagination and hours of entertainment. All it takes is a little creativity and some dedication!

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We Can HelpVeterans Suffering FromHearing Loss A Common Battle Scar

for us to maintain personal relationships with our loved ones. Hearing loss has even been linked to the development of chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, because of the social deprivation sustained by those with hearing loss! What can be done? While ear ringing or hearing loss can be difficult to live with, it’s not impossible to live a full, happy life with hearing conditions. A hearing test can determine the scope of your hearing loss and help you and your doctor determine the best course of treatment, whether that’s a hearing aid or creating a better living environment at home. If you are a veteran who sustained hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of your service, please give us a call at 512-550-0321. Our audiologist can perform a hearing test and guide you through treatment options.

As of 2018, more than 2.7 million veterans were living with the same debilitating injury. It impacts their families, their ability to sleep, and their daily functioning. Surprisingly, it’s not post-traumatic stress or visible battle scars that are causing this pain for veterans. It’s actually tinnitus and hearing loss. According to the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA), tinnitus is often the most diagnosed condition among veterans. As we celebrate and honor our nation’s service members this Veterans Day, our team at Texan ENT wants to shed a light on one of the many injuries our soldiers may experience. Why does this occur? Between working on heavy machinery and firing high-powered weapons, military members are inundated with loud noises every single day.

Those big reverberations damage the cells in the ear, resulting in hearing loss or ringing.

For more than 20 years, 3M supplied earplugs to the military to prevent this very phenomenon. However, recent mass lawsuits filed on behalf of many veterans point to 3M’s negligence in warning the U.S. Justice Department that the earplugs actually did very little. That means if you were a veteran who served after 2001, you could be at serious risk for ringing or hearing loss. What’s so bad about hearing loss? Our bodies rely on our ears for many, many functions. From a survival standpoint, our hearing alerts us to possible dangers and helps us stay balanced. In a more practical sense, hearing loss impedes communication, prevents us from doing our favorite activities, and can make it difficult

HAVE A LAUGH

SINFULLY SWEET BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Ingredients

•

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes

• • • •

1 3/4 tsp kosher salt 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp black pepper

• •

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets.

3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender. 4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!

INSPIRED BY WELLPLATED.COM

512.550.0321

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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 Bringing Home Baby While Building a New Home

Page 2 What Makes Spinach a Superfood?

Building a Blanket Fort 101

Page 3 Why so Many Veterans Struggle With Hearing Loss

Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash

Page 4 A Word From the Westies: Bone Safety Tips

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

WE’VE GOT A BONE TO PICK!

longer than the length of your dog’s muzzle. That way their teeth get the benefit of chewing, and it’s impossible for them to swallow it! 2. It’s Not Going to Make Us Sick: Just like you humans have food sensitivities, us dogs can struggle with them, too. For example, dogs who have had dental work probably shouldn’t chew on bones because of the sensitivity of their mouths. While as a general rule, rawhide bones are very unhealthy for us. 3. It’s Not Raw (or FromYour Food!): Believe it or not, real bones — like the ones from your big T-bone or chicken drummies — are actually pretty dangerous for us to chew on. Instead, look for bones that are made of soft, non-choking materials that are also stuffed with meat and other great flavors. So, this year, just skip giving us the turkey bones. We’d rather have the turkey meat and a healthy chew toy instead.

Our Best Tips for Bone Safety

Hi, everyone!

making sure there are no bones left in that turkey! Sure, dogs and bones have a storied friendship. We love the flavors, and their tough exteriors clean our teeth. What’s not to love? Well, there are actually quite a few dangers that can come from bones. Make sure your dog’s bone follows these three rules to keep them safe! 1. It’s Not Too Small or Sharp: Tiny, jagged pieces of bone can get lodged in our throats and cause pain, scarring, or bleeding. Bones should actually be

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, Izzy and I wanted to remind you that pups like us can enjoy many great foods on the Thanksgiving menu, so don’t hold back on giving us our own feast. (You’re welcome, dogs everywhere!) Unseasoned potatoes, unsweetened cranberries, and deboned turkey are great sources of protein and nutrients for pups. Plus, they’re so yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Izzy& Emma

But before you set us off to have our own holiday treat, we want to remind you of the importance of