Texan ENT - September 2019

Check out our September newsletter!

TexanENT.com

512.550.0321

SEPTEMBER 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’

The

Update

NewWords and Lots of Fun

about playing and introducing kids to music. They sing a goodbye song at the end of every class, and Audrey will sing along, too. It’s really cute.

A few weeks ago, my daughter started a new preschool program. It’s just three days a week, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so she’s

I’m starting to realize that, unlike my wife and me, our daughter is not a homebody. Renee and I are both fairly low-key. When we have free time, we’d much rather lounge around at home. Audrey, meanwhile, gets cranky in the afternoon if we keep her around the house all day. I think she gets bored. When we take her out to do stuff, like music class, the park, or the Children’s Museum, she’s in much better spirits. Audrey has learned how to say “no,” which means she’s saying no to everything now. Even if you offer her something she wants, she’s probably just going to say no first, just because she can. I’ll get home and ask, “Do you want to give Dada a hug?” and get a decisive “No,” in response. But a little while later, she’ll run over to give me a hug; I just have to be patient. When she’s not saying no, Audrey enjoys throwing stuff on the floor and yelling “Boom!” She doesn’t throw anything fragile, thankfully. It’s usually just blocks. I don’t know why she started doing it, but apparently, she finds it very amusing. To be honest, I think it’s pretty cute, too.

home in time for her nap in the afternoon. Audrey hasn’t even turned 2 yet, so the program is less of a preschool with lessons and more of a day care with a focus on learning through play. Renee and I are really excited to have her in the program because play is so important when it comes to learning. Plus, the kids in the class are between 18 months and 2 years old, so she’ll be able to interact with kids her own age. Right now, Audrey is an only child, so programs like this, where she’s able to play with other kids, are good for her development. Audrey is a pretty cautious little kid. She’s an observer, I would say. When we take her someplace where there are other kids her age, like the Children's Museum, she’ll watch them for a while. After a fewminutes, Audrey will slowly ease her way into whatever they're doing, still a little hesitant. But once she’s in, she never wants to leave. We’ve been taking Audrey to a little music class once a week that she really enjoys. I’ve only been able to take her myself a few times, but fromwhat I’ve seen, she has a lot of fun. She’s not learning music theory or anything; it’s more “I’m starting to realize that, unlike my wife and me, our daughter is not a homebody.”

Not that I’m biased or anything, but Audrey is definitely the cutest kid in the world. I’m really glad I get to see her starting this new preschool programwhere she gets to play and learn new things. It’s really cool to see her so excited about the world as she grows up.

–Dr. Seth Evans

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As you celebrate your last backyard barbecue, consider this: If someone puts three helpings of potato salad on your plate, would you feel pressured to finish it? According to nutrition experts, this pressure to finish your plate is making people indulge a little too much. Dubbed the “clean plate phenomenon,” this overindulgence is troubling. Researchers have discovered that people feel pressured to clean their plates even when they feel satisfied or full. Even people who don’t fill their plates all the way often reach for that last piece or second helping because “one more bite won’t hurt.” Experts speculate that this compulsion could have stemmed from habits passed down fromWorld War II, when rationing food was required for most, or from a fear of wasting food. Most people have, at some point, heard an adult say to a child, “Eat up; there are starving children in the world.” But all those “one more bites” add up. Researchers from Vanderbilt University conducted a study in which participants were served individual plates with any number of cookies piled on top. They were instructed to eat three cookies, and afterward, researchers asked each of them if they wanted more. Those who had only one or two cookies left on their plates were more likely to indulge in a fourth or fifth cookie, while those who had no cookies left or had too many cookies left said they were full. Despite what you think about your own diet, this isn’t a problem sequestered to certain parties. Studies have found that plates and portion sizes in the U.S. have increased by about 20% since the 1970s. The same psychology that propelled humans to eat just a little bit more to survive is now contributing to serious overeating and a staggering calorie intake. There are a few simple tricks you can use to break this habit. Use smaller plates or measure out your food portions so you can clean your plate without guilt. You can also get into the habit of leaving a few bites on your plate to retrain your brain that it’s okay to not finish your food. (You can use your leftover food for compost or save it for later!) With a little effort and intention, you can break free of the pressure to clean your plate.

THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT THIS FALL Have you ever wanted to experience the colors of a Boston fall while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors? Autumn leaves are a universally appreciated sign of the changing seasons, and there’s no better place to see those vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds on display than in one of America’s national parks. So, if you’ve got some free time this autumn, here are some parks worth seeing. While the maple, birch, and poplar trees of Acadia begin to change color in September, mid-October is the best time to witness autumn in full swing. The park is crisscrossed with unpaved trails that date back to a time of horse-drawn carriages, preserving an idyllic setting. If you want to see the colors in full effect, take a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and watch the sun crest over the vibrant leaves. To fully experience fall in the Northeastern U.S., Acadia National Park is a must-see. Acadia National Park, Maine

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Further south, the autumn colors of the Smoky Mountains are no less breathtaking than those in the Northeast. This park offers many scenic lookout points accessible by car, so don’t worry about hoofing it into the forest if that’s not your thing. Park wherever you like and watch the warm colors of ancient maples, oaks, and cedars change before your eyes.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

While the West might typically be associated with evergreen pines, the deciduous trees of the relatively small Grand Teton National Park pack a colorful punch starting around the third week of September. It’s also breeding season for elk in the area, and their high, eerie whistles can be heard in the evenings. Popular destinations in the park include the Christian Pond Loop and String Lake. Just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite national parks until next summer. The natural beauty of America can be experienced at any time of the year, so start planning your next autumn outdoor excursion!

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512.550.0321

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HOW TO TREAT A NOSEBLEED When Are Nosebleeds a Serious Problem?

• A nosebleed occurs in children younger than 2 years old • You suffer from chronic nosebleeds

Nosebleeds aren’t generally high on the list of ENT emergencies. Often brought on by dry air or sloppy picking — no shame, we’ve all done it — nosebleeds usually go away on their own. Here are some simple steps for treating nosebleeds at home. Step 1: Sit upright and lean forward. You may have been taught to tip your head back during a nosebleed, but this puts pressure on your blood vessels and can cause you to swallow blood.

At Texan ENT, we regularly treat patients who are suffering from problematic nosebleeds. We use a simple, nonsurgical treatment called cauterization. This is when we locate the part of the nose that keeps bleeding and use a small amount of silver nitrate to burn the tissue closed. The idea of burning the inside of your nose can be alarming, but rest assured: We apply a numbing agent first to avoid needless pain. Nosebleed cauterization is a quick treatment that only takes a couple of minutes. Afterward, patients are able to go about their day as usual. While some patients report soreness or discomfort, any pain can be addressed with over- the-counter pain medications and ointments as the burn heals over the next few days. Cauterization is a highly effective treatment for nosebleeds. Between 80–90% of patients report fewer nosebleeds after treatment, though occasionally some patients need to come back in for a touch up of the area to get the problem completely under control.

Step 2: Gently blow your nose with a Kleenex. Remove any clotted blood before spraying nasal decongestant into your nose.

Step 3: Pinch your nose shut. Use your fingers to pinch both nostrils shut, even if just one side is bleeding. Breath through your mouth and keep pinching your nose for at least 10 minutes.

Repeat: If your nose is still bleeding, repeat these steps and pinch your nose for another 10 minutes.

In most cases, nosebleeds are a nuisance and not a pressing medical problem. However, there are circumstances in which nosebleeds should be taken more seriously. Talk to a doctor about your nosebleeds if:

Sick of struggling with chronic nosebleeds? Call Dr. Seth Evans at 512.550.0321 and ask if nosebleed cauterization can help you.

• Bleeding lasts longer than 30 minutes • The nosebleed interferes with breathing

HAVE A LAUGH

Tomato Salad With Horseradish Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

Savor the end of tomato season with this spicy and healthy salad. Because the horseradish-spiked dressing packs a punch, you only need a little to add a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs heirloom and cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 1/4 cup buttermilk

• 2 tbsp prepared horseradish • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. For the dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, and horseradish in a mixing bowl; season to taste.

2. In serving bowls, arrange tomatoes and top with scallions. 3. Lightly drizzle tomatoes and scallions with dressing and serve.

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512.550.0321

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Page 1 What’s Audrey’s New Favorite Word?

Page 2 The Clean Plate Conundrum

Page 2 The Vibrant Colors of America’s National Parks

Page 3 The Right Way to Treat a Nosebleed

Page 3 Tomato SaladWith Horseradish

Page 4 Word From The Westies

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

NEW TRICKS FOR OLD DOGS

Cool Tricks You CanTeachYour DogToday

TAKE A BOW There’s no better way to finish showing off your new tricks than by taking a bow for the audience. Taking a bow is when your dog puts their chest on the ground while keeping their rear in the air. This sounds uncomfortable, but trust us, dogs bow all the time, usually when we’re playing together! Find step-by-step instructions for teaching your dog this trick at TheSprucePets.com/train-a-dog-to- take-a-bow-1117287 . Learning new tricks isn’t just fun, it’s also a great way to bond with your dog. And the mental challenge of learning and performing tricks keeps your dog’s mind sharp. All the more reason to keep teaching your dogs new tricks at any age.

Baby Audrey is starting preschool, which got us thinking about new things we can learn. We dogs

don’t have to know math or spelling, but we can learn some pretty cool tricks. This month, we’re looking at the best tricks you can teach your dog. Grab the treats and get ready to learn! SHAKE You can tell a lot about a dog by the quality of their pawshake. This classic trick never fails to impress. If you haven’t had luck teaching your dog to shake in the past, you might need to shake up your strategy. This video has three methods for teaching your dog how to shake: Bit.ly/TeachYourDogToShake PLAY DEAD Here’s a trick for the dramatic pups out there. Playing dead is a complex trick that can take a little time to master, but it’s worth the effort. There’s nothing like a dramatic death scene to leave a lasting impression with the audience. Check out the comprehensive instructions at WagWalking.com/training/play-dead and your dog will have an Oscar-worthy trick in no time.

Izzy & Emma

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