Texan ENT Specialists - October 2021

Texan ENT Specialists - October 2021

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

OCTOBER 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’

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE?

My Halloween Favorites

Since the birth of my daughters, I’ve started looking forward to Halloween again. Last year, our family went trick-or-treating for the first time, and we did a space- themed family costume. Claire was an astronaut, Audrey was a spaceship, I was Neptune, and my wife was Mother Earth! Both the kids and the adults had a blast, and we hope this year will be even better. (We’re still working out the costume.) When the kids are asleep, Halloween isn’t the same without horror movies. I remember watching scary movies like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” at my best friend’s house when I was 10 or 11. My parents would never let me watch that stuff at home, but I always could get my fix over there. These days, I can’t say I’m a big horror buff, but I do have my favorites. I tend to lean more toward horror films from the '70s and '80s, and as I get older, different things scare me more than they used to. Situations where families are in danger, for example, hit closer to home than they did when I was single. Like any film, a horror movie has to be a good movie first, with an interesting plot and characters you care about. Mystery and suspense are important, but movies with jump-scares and gore for the sake of gore aren’t really my thing. So, I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorites. ‘ALIEN’ What’s not to love? People are alone in outer space with no one to save them. There’s a creepy, deadly creature stalking the characters, and you never quite get a good look at it. “Alien” is filled with suspense and mystery, and it has excellent acting and a compelling plot. It definitely ranks among my favorites! ‘THE SHINING’ You can probably tell I like movies that revolve around isolated situations, and “The Shining” is one of the best movies in that category. The atmosphere is unmatched. The long hallways, the kid on the tricycle, the blood coming out of the elevator, and so many other visuals build the tension. It’s like a slow pressure cooker, and then things finally explode.

‘EVIL DEAD’ SERIES Sometimes, I like to mix a little comedy with my horror. While the first film in the series is a relatively straightforward horror film, “Evil Dead 2” really captures the perfect fusion of horror and comedy with its over-the-top ridiculousness. Though “Army of Darkness” veers further into comedy territory, the entire series is highly entertaining. ‘HALLOWEEN’ “Halloween” really set the archetype for the '80s slasher movie — it was not only the first, but it was also the best. So many movies have tried to copy “Halloween,” but in my opinion, none has ever succeeded. This movie is filled with suspense and really keeps you on your toes. There’s definitely some graphic violence, but you still really care about what’s going to happen to the characters.

This Halloween, I encourage you to break out the old DVDs (or your preferred streaming service) and watch some classic horror movies. Feel free to let me know your favorites during your next appointment!

–Dr. Seth Evans

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Fall brings apple cider, pumpkin patches, fun seasonal outfits, and corn mazes. Unless you are visiting a “haunted” corn maze, you and your family probably won’t be chased by a chainsaw-wielding serial killer while you try to navigate through. However, safety risks are still present. Here are five safety tips to keep the fun coming during your next corn maze experience. Follow the rules. At the entrance to each corn maze, there should be a sign stating the rules for visitors. For the safety of yourself, your children, and others, be sure to read each rule and follow along. Always accompany your kids in the corn maze — it is a maze, after all! Watch for tripping and fire hazards. Keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles on the path, including holes, bumps, ruts, and corn stalks. While navigating a maze, it can be easy to forget to look down while searching for the exit. To prevent fires, you should also avoid smoking and never use matches or lighters. Wear proper footwear. Ensure that you and your family all have proper footwear, preferably closed-toed shoes, while exploring the maze. You never know what kind of critters or potentially harmful hazards may appear in your path. Eat beforehand and stay hydrated. Be sure to eat before setting out into the maze and don’t bring any glass bottles with you, as it can be dangerous if broken. Furthermore, do not consume alcohol before or while enjoying your time at the corn maze. Be prepared. Accidents can happen, usually at the most unexpected times! It is important to always have a first-aid kit handy. Be sure to call 911 in an emergency and let staff know what is going on.

FRESH TIPS FROMTHE LAUNDRY ROOM

THE EASIEST WAY TO CLEAN YOURWASHING MACHINE

Despite being designed to clean, your washing machine can be anything but. As water settles in the machine’s basin and detergent and grime cling to the edges, it can become a budding environment for mildew and gnarly smells. But with a few simple steps, your machine will smell and function like new. Why You Need to Clean Your Washing Machine The most common washing machines are top- and front-loading, and some do a better job of cleaning than others. However, the washing machine isn’t where germs and bacteria go to die. In fact, according to Reader’s Digest, many home washing machines don’t sanitize clothes, and numerous studies have found that these devices can transfer certain germs from one material to the next. However, by cleaning your washing machine, you can remove bacterial buildup, residue, and mildew build-up. (No more gross smell!) Furthermore, regular cleaning protects it from damage due to grime accumulation. How to Clean It Whether you have a front- or top-loading washing machine is a matter of preference, but it also matters when it comes to maintenance. For example, front-loading machines have a rubber lip just inside the door where dirt and hair accumulate. Top-loading machines can collect the same amount of dirt in the softener dispenser. Regardless of the machine’s style, baking soda, vinegar, a rag, and hot water are the go-to tools for cleaning your washing machine. Start by running your machine on its hottest cycle for a few minutes, then pause the cycle. (With top-loading devices, you want a pool of water in the bottom of the machine after it’s paused.) Then, YouTube cleaning tutorialist Andrea Jean Cleaning recommends pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda and about 2–3 cups of white vinegar into the machine. (Bleach will work, too!) While the solution sits, scrub the door, detergent trays, and any lips where grime can hide. Then, simply close the lid, finish the cycle, and watch your machine clean itself!

As long as safety is the top priority this fall, fun will be had by all!

Get more washing machine cleaning tips from your device’s manufacturer.

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AN ENT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP IS YOUR SNORING KEEPING EVERYONE UP AT NIGHT?

the back of your mouth). A poor sleeping position or weight gain can also contribute to snoring.

Sleep apnea is the most concerning cause of snoring. Sleep apnea results in interrupted breathing throughout the night and is a serious health condition that should be dealt with immediately. If you are waking up gasping or choking, or if your partner tells you that your breathing sometimes stops when you’re asleep, you should see an ENT immediately for a full evaluation. If snoring is interrupting your sleep — or the sleep of those around you — Texan ENT is here to help. Schedule an appointment today to gain peace of mind and a better night’s sleep.

It may be time to see an ENT if your snoring disrupts the sleep of other people in the house, if you experience restless sleep, or if you regularly wake up with a sore throat. An ENT can help you determine the cause of your snoring and make recommendations for treatment. Your ENT may recommend something as mild as losing weight, consuming less alcohol, or changing your sleep positions. Depending on the severity and cause of your snoring, they may also recommend one of several simple surgical procedures. Most surgeries to help with snoring are outpatient procedures with quick recovery times.

Snoring every now and then is nothing to be concerned about. But if you’re a chronic or particularly loud snorer, you may have a health condition you’re unaware of. About 25% of people snore regularly, most commonly men and people who are overweight. Snoring happens when the normal airflow through your nose or mouth is blocked, and it usually happens when throat muscles relax and narrow the breathing passageway. Other common causes of a narrowed pathway are allergies, alcohol consumption, a deviated septum, an enlarged tongue or throat, or a weak soft palate (muscle at

HAVE A LAUGH

SLOW COOKER SQUASH, KALE, AND SAUSAGE SOUP

Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co

This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.

Ingredients

• •

1 tbsp vegetable oil

• • • • • •

Salt and pepper, to taste 4 cups chicken broth 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 cups kale, chopped 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces

• • •

6 cloves garlic

1 onion, chopped

6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!

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1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Cover Dr. Evans’ Halloween Favorites

Page 2 Corn Maze Safety

Wash the Washer the Easy Way!

Page 3 Can an ENT Help With Excessive Snoring?

Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup

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.

NOHALLOWEEN CANDY FOR US, PLEASE!

Halloween is coming, and we love to see all the spooky decorations and friendly kids coming to our door! You may have noticed that dogs tend to get excited pretty easily, and a lot of us get especially excited around food. There are so many different flavors, and we want to taste them all! Unfortunately, some foods can be really dangerous to us, and that includes chocolate. Humans tend to bring a lot of that stuff into the house around this time of year — and while it’s a little embarrassing to admit, we can have trouble controlling ourselves around things that look yummy. Even though it’s bad for us, we might try to sneak a bite, so we need your help to stay safe. Kids love to give us food — one of the many reasons we like kids so much — so it’s important for them to know that chocolate can make us really, really sick. Like us, kids sometimes tend to forget, so it’s a good idea to have designated candy times at the table (not the couch or on the floor, where food gets dropped). Sometimes a wrapper will even look tasty to us, so please don’t leave those lying around! When you’re not eating the candy, we may try to sneak some — sorry! We’d appreciate it if you could store your chocolate up high or in a cupboard where we can’t get it. One of the best ways to keep us away from candy is to keep us busy. If we have a delicious chew or a treat puzzle, your chocolate won’t look so tasty. Chocolate and Dogs Make for a Scary Mix

Sometimes, we also tend to nose around for food because we get bored — if we get lots of exercise, we won’t have too much energy for snooping around. We know human willpower around chocolate isn’t so great, either, so we hope you’ll understand. Thanks for all your help!