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OCTOBER 2020
Satellite Offices:
601 A 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’
STOP SNEEZING!
Texan ENT Begins Offering Allergy Tests
A s a physician, I'm not summer. I'm happy to announce that our office will now offer allergy testing and allergy drops! Allergies can be debilitating, especially if you are battling a stuffy nose, shortness of breath, itchy skin or eyes, or irritation every single day. Over-the-counter medication can treat your symptoms, but you can find long-lasting relief through allergy drops. Now, we can help! intimidated by or scared of needles, but that doesn't mean I wasn't a little anxious when testing out our latest offering at Texan ENT this I have extensive training in allergy management and was in charge of testing and treatment in 2012–13. The allergy portion of my practice separated in 2014 and became Aspire Allergy (formerly Texan Allergy). Aspire Allergy shared my office space in Kyle every Thursday, until a few months ago. Now that they have left, I've decided to offer allergy testing and allergy drops through my own practice. As part of staff training, my wonderful nurse Lori and I volunteered to undergo allergy skin testing. You could call us the guinea pigs! I'm sure there are patients out there who would have loved to see me being the one who was prodded and tested. The test consists of two parts. For the first part, the skin on my upper back was exposed to about 60 different types of allergens with a small skin prick test. The allergens included dust mites, molds, tree/
grass/weed pollens, and pet dander. It was a very minor sting, much easier than getting a shot or an IV placed. Based on the results of the prick test, a second, more sensitive, test called intradermal skin testing was done next. This test can uncover allergies that do not show up on the first round. I was little anxious about the intradermal injections. This test is done by injecting into the outermost layer of skin using a small syringe and needle. I'm not afraid of needles, but I was not looking forward to getting a bunch of painful shots. But to my happy surprise, it couldn't have been easier. I hardly felt the injections! For most of them, I did not feel anything, and a few had a very mild sting (less than the first round of skin prick testing). Based on the results of the test, we can determine what things you are allergic to, and the level of reactivity to each allergen. I tested positive to 17 allergens, most strongly to dust mites. Six of those showed up on the first test, and the other 11 only showed up on the intradermal test. With the allergy results, I can design individualized allergy treatment for patients to directly treat their allergies. Currently, I am offering allergy drops (also called sublingual immunotherapy) for this purpose. Patients will receive a vial of drops containing small amounts of the things to which they are allergic. These drops are placed under the tongue daily for a period of 3–5 years, and over time the body learns to stop having the allergic reaction. Allergy drops are extremely safe and can be taken at home.
I'm very excited to offer this option to our patients and to be able to do it right from the comfort of my own practice. As a seasonal allergy sufferer — and a newly diagnosed dust mite allergy victim! — I can personally tell you just how impactful finding a treatment plan for your allergies can be. Give us a call today to get started!
–Dr. Seth Evans
P.S. Because I know many of you are curious, Renee and I welcomed our second daughter, Claire Love Evans
on Aug. 25! I can't wait to share that update (and some adorable pictures) with you in our November newsletter. Stay tuned!
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When the first “Wonder Woman” movie hit theaters in 2017, it was a box office smash, making more than $821 million. People all over the world fell in love with Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the famous comic book superhero and Chris Pine’s performance as her sidekick Steve Trevor. Globally, they waited with bated breath for the release of the sequel: “Wonder Woman 1984.” Despite the hype, that film has been a long time coming. Incredibly, it has blown through four different release dates: Dec. 13, 2019; Nov. 1, 2019 (yes, they moved it up ); June 5, 2020; and Aug. 14, 2020. First, pre- and post-production issues wreaked havoc with the film’s schedule, then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and slammed movie theater doors shut. When the fifth and (hopefully) final release date of Oct. 2, 2020, was announced, it seemed almost too good to be true. Even star Gal Gadot sounded surprised. “Wow, it's finally happening, & I couldn’t be more excited!” she tweeted, adding that she appreciated her fans’ patience and was excited for everyone to see the film. “... It will be worth the wait,” she said. Award-winning director Patty Jenkins joined in the Twitterfest on Aug. 15, saying, “Wish we were sharing our film yesterday, but there are more important things going on in our world we'd rather you focus on for now. Thank you to our fans for being so great, by our sides. Can’t WAIT for you to see it! Sending love and healing to the world. See you October 2nd!!” Critics and fans are crossing their fingers and their toes that the prophetic October release date comes true and they get to see Wonder Woman battle her nemesis, Cheetah, this fall. The postponements have been a roller coaster ride, but at least consumers can console themselves with “Wonder Woman 1984” merchandise, which rolled out far in advance of the film. Some favorites are the “Wonder Woman 1984: Meet Wonder Woman” children's book (which includes sneak-peek photos) and the Wonder Woman vs. Cheetah LEGO model complete with a secret bunker, both of which can be found (appropriately) on Amazon.
The Not-So-Secret Secret to a Healthy Home Sometimes, the best way to keep your family healthy, your indoor air quality high, and your skin hydrated isn’t found in a complicated solution. It’s found in the relative humidity of your home. When was the last time you checked your indoor humidity? How do you know if your house is too humid or too dry? What should I check for? Hygrometers — devices used to measure humidity — are very inexpensive, are easily found at a local or online retailer, and can help you save money in the long run. According to the Mayo Clinic, the ideal range for relative humidity levels is between 30%–50%. Keep in mind that many air conditioners remove humidity, since nobody wants to deal with lingering summer heat and humidity. However, they commonly remove too much moisture and could be the culprit if your indoor humidity is lower than the ideal range. What if it’s too dry? It’s common for dry indoor air to irritate your throat and sinuses and lead to sneezing and congestion, which causes people to believe they have allergies. However, it could actually be what some doctors call nonallergic rhinitis. Typical allergy treatments won’t help because not all allergy-like symptoms are caused by true allergies. Dryness can also worsen the symptoms of asthma or existing allergies. Is high humidity better? Not necessarily. Too much moisture can make your home a breeding ground for mildew, mold, dust mites, bacteria, and more. These allergens can become irritants as they circulate through your home’s ventilation system. They can even multiply into colonies within hours. High humidity can also crack and destroy the wood in your house, like your home’s framing, hardwood flooring, furniture, and musical instruments, which require expensive repairs. What do I do now? If you're struggling to get the right humidity levels in individual rooms, put portable devices to work. For your whole house, though, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be installed in your HVAC system! This is a convenient fix, and with a whole-home humidifier linked to a smart thermostat, you’ll never have to worry about missing out on the perfect, healthy humidity level for your home and family. HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR INDOOR HUMIDITY LATELY?
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The Migraine Conundrum
With No Known Cause or Treatment, Is There Relief FromMigraines?
Though the causes of each may be very different, allergy sufferers (see cover article) and migraine sufferers can sympathize about how debilitating their symptoms can be and how anxious they are to find the cause of them. Many professionals also approach treating migraines in a similar manner to treating allergies: through a process of elimination. A migraine often starts slowly, usually with a stomachache or a groggy mind in the morning, and just hours later, a patient is laid up in bed with the lights out, unable to move for fear of shooting pain and nausea. Symptoms can also include dizziness and light sensitivity. Perhaps the most frustrating part of a migraine, though, is that there is no known cause. Experts theorize that chemical
and nerve changes in the brain can influence a migraine, and migraines have also been linked to genetics, menstrual cycles, prescription drugs, diet, and external environmental factors. Migraines are thought to be brought on by triggers. Maybe the patient ate too much sugar and is suffering the consequences, or maybe the position of the patient’s pillow is pinching nerves in their neck. Whatever it is, we often suggest patients keep a diary or journal outlining early symptoms they notice and activities they did before a migraine attack. As we begin to understand what is happening in the events leading up to the pain, we can start to better understand how to more effectively treat it — or how to prevent migraines from even happening!
HAVE A LAUGH this means drinking more water or using a better pillow. Regardless of what treatment looks like, migraine sufferers aren’t alone. Give our team a call today to get started on living a migraine-free life. (Yes, it IS possible!) The best form of treatment is to eliminate the cause. For some, this could mean relieving the pressure in their sinus cavity, while for others, There are also over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can limit the symptoms of a migraine, but patients should always be careful when taking medication. Overuse of medication to treat migraines can cause a “rebound headache” and only masks the pain of the migraine. Talk to an ENT specialist about the proper usage and type of medication to take before using any.
CLASSIC PUMPKIN SOUP
Pumpkins aren’t just for pie — they make delicious soup, too! This fall, try your hand at this healthy soup recipe and warm up with a bowl.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, diced
• • • • • •
1 cup canned light coconut milk
2 tbsp honey 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cloves garlic, minced 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) 2 cups vegetable broth
•
Directions
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!
INSPIRED BY MINIMALISTBAKER.COM
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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 We Can Help You Overcome Your Allergies!
Page 2 ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Is Finally Here — Yes, Really!
Have You Checked Your Indoor Humidity Lately?
Page 3 Migraine Relief IS Possible!
Classic Pumpkin Soup
Page 4 Word From the Westies
BEFORE YOU DRESS US UP ... Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The‘Boos’ and Don’ts of Pet Costumes
Don’t forsake safety for fashion. Tags can be clunky, but they are necessary! Don’t take your pets’ collars off when dressing them up. While you’re at it, make sure costumes don’t have loose embellishments or items that can be easily ripped off. If so, they might try to eat them, which can harm their digestive systems or become a choking hazard. Sometimes pups just love to destroy things! Test it out and leave them at home. Before you show off your furry friends on Halloween night, test out their costumes. If your pet doesn’t respond well, then give it up! Your pet may look better without the costume anyway. And as always, keep them safe at home on Halloween night. Don’t let them go trick-or-treating with you. They’ll be at home waiting! (Just don’t leave them in their costume without your supervision.)
Alright, we admit it — we’re adorable! Dressing pets up for Halloween is a rite of passage only pet moms and dads can have, but when your pup or kitten isn’t happy, they might retaliate. They don’t mean to harm you! They’re just scared. So, here are a few rules you should follow to ensure your pet stays safe, isn’t stressed in their costume, and looks cute strutting in it, just like us! Gauge their comfort level. You know your pets well, so use that knowledge to your advantage! You know if they tend to be stressed or anxious, and if they are, they probably won’t do well in a full-blown costume. Instead, opt for a silly tutu or a bow tie to dress up your best bud without making them too stressed or anxious. Save the big, silly costumes for the more laid-back furry friends. Make sure they can pee! While some pets would love to be dragons, cowgirls, or anything in between, if these costumes don’t let your pet do their normal business, then they aren’t going to be happy. Don’t cover up your pets’ private areas or anywhere that will get in the way or their normal routines. For example, if you have a big napper in the house — who isn’t? — they may not be happy in a costume that covers their head.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Izzy& Emma
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