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TexanENT.com
512.550.0321
JANUARY 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’
HowDoWe Plan for the Future? THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
W e’re barely at the start of the new year, and I can already see changes on the horizon. The biggest difference between 2018 and 2019 is the fact that Audrey won’t be a baby anymore. Apparently, once kids turn 1, they’re a toddler. We’re going to have a mobile creature running around the house pretty soon! This will bring new challenges, but there are fresh opportunities with that too. Renee won’t have to breastfeed anymore, which will give her a lot more freedom in terms of her daily schedule and travel. We probably won’t travel too much over the next few years — plane trips are a whole new level of challenging when you have a toddler — but we do have a few getaways planned. Renee and I would like to take a ski trip this February, so my parents will fly down and take care of Audrey for a few days. This is great for my parents because they love spending time with her, and it’s great for Renee and I because we get to have a little time to ourselves. In years past, I’ve had a list of 10 New Year’s resolutions and changes I want to make in the coming year. For 2019, I think I’d rather focus on the things I want to keep the same. In terms of the practice, I think we’re in a pretty good place. It’s never been my goal to expand into a massive corporation with rotating
able to say with confidence that my staff and I are on the same page. My philosophy has always been to try and get the desired results for our patients through the least-invasive treatments possible. We can turn to surgery or prescribe medication if necessary, but I would much rather work with lifestyle or dietary changes to help patients feel healthier without the extra stress or side effects. Outside of the office, one thing I want to keep the same in 2019 is being able to see my family every day. I can’t say what’s going to happen in the new year or what changes may come, but if I can come home at the end of a long day in 2019 and spend time with Renee, Audrey, and the dogs, that will be fine by me.
doctors. I like running my own practice because it means I get to work directly with my patients and my staff. Most of my staff has worked with me for years. They’re recognizable faces who greet patients when they come in, and I think that’s important. When patients have to go to giant corporations, they always see different people behind the desk and might have to deal with a different doctor every time. It’s not like that at our practice. Patients are able to find comfort in familiar faces when dealing with unfamiliar problems. Plus, with a smaller practice, I am
“For 2019, I think I’d rather focus on the things I want to keep the same.”
Happy New Year’s to you all. Whatever goals you have for 2019, whether they’re big changes or things you want to keep the same, I hope you are successful and have a wonderful year.
–Dr. Seth Evans
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During the winter months, colds and the flu can spread like wildfire. Getting sick at least once during the season can be hard to avoid, and once you are sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over and done. While there is no way to completely avoid getting sick, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet a little bit faster. Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw and undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten flu symptoms by up to three days. Eucalyptus If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be used as an expectorant or as a way to relieve a sore throat. When you’re at home and sick, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing! Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the supplement you should be focusing on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does absolutely nothing to help shorten a cold. Instead, take zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray or lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who took zinc reduced their recovery time from a cold by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days.
COMMEMORATING MLK JR. In many of his speeches and sermons, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about love. He wasn’t talking about the romantic kind, though. King often used the term “agape,” an Ancient Greek word used to refer to the unconditional love of God for man, to talk about universal love for all people, regardless of race, religion, or circumstance. We commemorate King on Jan. 21. It’s a celebration and a National Day of Service, so take the opportunity to honor King’s message of universal love. Here are three ways to put agape into practice. 1. Pay a visit to a historical site. Immerse yourself in King’s message this month by visiting the places where these historic events occurred. Our nation is full of opportunities to become better acquainted with the birth of the civil rights movement, from the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, to Selma, Alabama, where protest marches were held in 1965. After all, if we don’t know our past, we are doomed to repeat it. 2. Educate yourself and others about the struggles people have faced. Learning about the experiences of others cultivates empathy. When you interact with someone across cultural or subcultural boundaries, it helps to reduce prejudice. Promote positive interactions in your community by hosting a film night or book club focused on the civil rights movement. You can feature a movie like “Selma” or “13th.” For a book club, select an autobiography or biography that puts yourself in someone else’s shoes, like Maya Angelou’s “I KnowWhy the Caged Bird Sings,” or Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” 3. Share the message of nonviolence and give back to your community. At the center of King’s message was the principle of nonviolence. Consider how you can advocate for nonviolence in your community. You could donate your time or money to a local shelter for victims of abuse, or volunteer your home to foster abandoned pets. If you’re part of a PTA or another school organization, encourage students to put an end to bullying. The Mix It Up program has anti-bullying lessons and activities that support King’s message. A MESSAGE OF UNIVERSAL LOVE
Take some time to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision this month and take part in the universal message of love. Don’t we all want more of that?
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MOR E T HAN A S T U F F Y NO S E
Don’t Spend Another Year With Sinusitis
acute sinusitis can be treated with antibiotics, nasal decongestant, or nasal sprays prescribed by a doctor.
Are you starting the new year feeling like your head is clogged up? Is there thick, discolored goo coming from your nose or throat? Was it harder to taste or even smell those holiday treats? Does it feel like your head could explode from constant pain? If these symptoms sound familiar, then you are probably suffering from sinusitis. Though often referred to as sinus infections, not all cases of sinusitis are the result of infection. The cause of your sinusitis can impact the duration of the disease. One in eight adults suffer from sinusitis every year. Some people only experience a sinus infection once or twice in their lifetime, while others regularly struggle with cases of sinusitis that can last for months at a time. If you are suffering from sinusitis, your doctor will first need to determine whether your case is acute or chronic.
CHRONIC SINUSITIS
Patients who come to our office due to a sinusitis are usually suffering from the chronic version. Often the result of infection, inflammation, or nasal polyps, cases of chronic sinusitis persist for months at a time. Chronic sinusitis is more difficult to treat than acute sinusitis, but there are treatment options. Balloon sinuplasty, a procedure offered in our office, has been shown to improve the symptoms of 95 percent of patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis. If you’ve struggled with sinusitis in the past, don’t spend another year in pain or discomfort. Visit Amazon.com to grab your copy of Dr. Evans’ book “The Sinus Solution: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Permanent Relief From Chronic Sinusitis.” Or, you can call Texan ENT Specialists at 512.550.0321 today and discuss our in-office treatments. Learn how you can breathe easy again.
ACUTE SINUSITIS
If you are suffering from sinusitis shortly after experiencing a cold or allergy symptoms, this is likely a case of acute sinusitis. Caused by a virus or bacteria, cases of acute sinusitis tend to clear up in less than four weeks. Usually,
LAUGH! HAVE A
Citrus and Avocado Salad Winter is the height of citrus season, so it’s a perfect time to experiment with oranges and lemons. Roasting the fruits concentrates their flavor and makes the skins edible, creating a blast of flavor for this winter salad.
Ingredients
• • • • •
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
•
1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded
1 bunch arugula
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1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1 avocado, cut into wedges Salt and pepper, to taste
• •
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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512.550.0321
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1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1 What Will 2019 Bring?
Page 2 Have a Cold? Recover Faster!
Page 2 Put MLK Jr.’s Message of Love Into Practice
Page 3 When a Stuffy Nose Means Trouble
Page 3 Citrus and Avocado Salad
Page 4 AWord From the Westies
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE DOGS
What’s Your Pet’s NewYear’s Resolution?
TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS Studies show mental stimulation can help reduce cognitive deterioration in pets and people! Even old pets can enjoy new games, and the mental stimulation helps keep their brains healthy. Buy a new toy, introduce food puzzles, or take new routes on your daily walks. Playtime can help your old dog feel like a puppy again.
The start of a new year means it’s the season of New Year’s resolutions. Now’s the time to break bad habits and pick up better ones, and humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from making resolutions. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions Emma and I have been thinking about. GET HEALTHY TOGETHER When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, most humans focus on their health, vowing to eat better and exercise more. Your pets can benefit from the same resolutions! Regular playtimes make for great exercise, and if your pet is a little chubby, it’s time to talk to your vet about a sustainable weight-loss program. Besides, isn’t sticking to resolutions easy when you have a fitness buddy? MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR VET A pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dogs generally see vets twice a year for check-ups, which is recommended. Meanwhile, cats can go years between vet visits, and usually, they don’t go in until something terrible happens. Regular check-ups can help you catch red flags in advance, so it pays to be proactive with your vet visits.
The new year is a great time for you and your pets to start making better habits together. Here’s to an excellent 2019!
Izzy & Emma
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