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TexanENT.com
512.550.0321
JULY 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’
THE TRIP THAT STARTED IT ALL My First Real Childhood Vacation
When people talk about traveling, they sometimes mention a “trip of a lifetime.” One thing that’s so special about traveling is that often, the memories from your trips are deeply imprinted in your mind. That’s certainly the case for the first real vacation I took with my family the summer after my freshman year of high school. My aunt who lived outside of Los Angeles was getting married, so my family planned a two-and-a- half-week vacation around the ceremony. We really packed a lot into that trip! We visited two national parks — Sequoia and Grand Canyon — spent some time in Las Vegas (which was more family-friendly back then), and had fun with our cousins at Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain. The theme parks were definitely fun for us as kids. We actually bought season passes even though we were only there for about a week. It didn’t take us long to figure out that at Magic Mountain, the trick to getting on rides was to go after 5 p.m. By then, the families that had spent the day there were heading home. That’s when we showed up to go on rides nonstop until the park closed. The whole city of Vegas was kind of like one giant theme park, too. My family and I stayed at the Luxor Hotel, which was relatively new at the time. It’s the one that’s shaped like a pyramid.
They really played up the Egyptian theme, and all the rooms have sloping windows that look out onto the city. The coolest thing about the Luxor, though, was the elevators because they went diagonally. Obviously, I couldn’t do any gambling as a 15-year-old, but we still had a fun time. Just walking up and down the strip seeing all the lights and buildings was quite fun. As a kid from Virginia growing up near the Appalachian Mountains, the thing that probably made the biggest impression on me from that trip is how much vast, open space there is in the West. Driving through Arizona or Nevada, you can easily go 50 miles without seeing much of anything. That was so different from my experience in Virginia, where even driving to a rural town meant you saw some houses or businesses along the highway. Not so in the West. Part of what makes the West special is that vast, open space and the natural places that live on untouched there. The Grand Canyon was a perfect example of this. I was in awe the first time I got my first glimpse of it. I’d never seen anything like it before. From the human-made buildings of Las Vegas and the roller coasters in California to the natural wonders of the Sequoias and Grand Canyons, I
really got to experience a whole gamut of things on that first real vacation. It wasn’t like the previous trips we’d taken just to see family. And I think it’s where my wanderlust really began. I’m looking forward to getting back to traveling again. Having a new baby and toddler at home plus dealing with the pandemic for over a year has really limited our travel opportunities. I do hope we’ll be able to take a family trip to see my parents in Virginia this year, and Renee and I are hoping to take a short trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary this fall. I guess for now this trip down memory lane will have to do!
If you’re able to travel this summer, enjoy your trip and be safe!
–Dr. Seth Evans
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(THEORETICAL) BENEFITS OF SLEEPING WHILE SWINGING
You Can ShareWithYour Kids FUN FACTS ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY What do your kids know about the Fourth of July? Do they know it’s a day when you have a barbecue, spend time with friends and neighbors, and watch a fireworks show? These hallmarks of the holiday certainly do make it fun and memorable, but they don’t really exemplify why we celebrate the Fourth of July, the anniversary of when the United States declared its independence from Britain. So, along with the sparklers and hot dogs, here are a few fun facts about Independence Day you can share with your kids to help them understand the significance of the holiday. The Fourth of July marks our country’s independence because it’s when the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence . This fact might seem like a no-brainer, but it contextualizes the holiday for kids. It’s a great jumping-off point to talk about why the United States wanted to be its own country, what the Continental Congress was, what the Declaration of Independence said, and what it means to “ratify” something. Two future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They both died exactly 50 years later, on July 4, 1826. This fact is an interesting coincidence sure to fascinate both kids and adults. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to some of the Founding Fathers and share how they helped shape the United States today. In 1776, the year the United States was founded, only 2.5 million people lived here. Today, the U.S. population is 331 million. Lots of people have been born in the United States since it was founded, and millions more came here from other places, hoping to find a better life. Many succeeded, too. Many people want to call this country home! On the Fourth of July, around 155 million hot dogs are eaten in the United States . Okay, so this fact might not have anything to do with American history, but it’s still pretty funny! If anything, the fact that we have so many hot dogs to eat on that day is evidence of the prosperity so many people enjoy in the United States of America.
Hammocking has become a popular leisure activity within the last 5–10 years, with the global hammock market growing about 17% between 2017 and 2021. As fun as it is, though, could hammocking be more than that? Could it be a better way to sleep, not just on camping trips or in the park, but in our homes, too? The short answer is that the data is inconclusive. More studies need to be done on the health benefits of sleeping in hammocks, and the studies that do exist lack sufficient sample sizes for meaningful conclusions. With that massive caveat out of the way, however, here are a few potential benefits of sleeping in a hammock. Protection From Bugs This benefit really only matters if you’re sleeping outdoors (though, in theory, sleeping in a hammock could mean a decreased risk of dust mites). If you sleep on the ground, bugs will have easier access to you. Flying insects can still bother hammockers, but a good bug net for your hammock can fix that problem. Pressure Point Relief A good mattress can reduce pressure on the shoulders, back, and butt, while a bad mattress can do the opposite. Some hammock advocates claim that a hammock’s more flexible surface means pressure is spread more equally across all parts of the body. However, this benefit is purely theoretical and more study is needed to confirm the hypothesis. Deeper Sleep According to a study from 2011 where 12 men took two 45-minute naps — one in a regular bed and one in a swinging bed — results showed the men fell asleep faster in the swinging bed and that they had a longer light sleep before they entered a deep sleep. However, because the size of this study was so small, its conclusions need more verification. Until more data emerges to confirm what so many hammock enthusiasts already claim to know, you can still rest knowing that hammocking isn’t harmful; in fact, it’s really relaxing and fun.
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UNDERSTANDING DEVIATED SEPTUMS WHY CAN’T I BREATHE THROUGH MY NOSE?
You’ve probably heard the term “deviated septum” before, but it may have gone over your head as fancy medical jargon. Simply speaking, your septum is the cartilage that creates a wall between your two nostrils. If that wall is crooked or has spurs that block breathing through either nostril, it’s considered deviated. How common are deviated septums? About 80% of people have a deviated septum, but in many cases, the septum is just a little bowed or there are only small spurs, which do not lead to negative consequences or affect our nasal cycle (breathing through the nose). However, major deviations that are either genetic or, commonly,
the result of a broken nose, can cause health issues, chronic sinus infections, or heavy snoring. People with deviated septums commonly have trouble breathing through one or both nostrils, which can also lead to quality of life issues. Is there a solution? Patients who are experiencing chronic nasal obstruction can try over-the-counter medications like FLONASE or Nasonex. However, if the obstruction lasts most or all of the time and does not improve with the use of these medications, you can talk to Dr. Evans about whether surgery to straighten your deviated septum (called septoplasty) is a good option for you.
It’s important to note that this surgery is often an elective, quality-of-life procedure, and depending on your health history, it may not be a good choice. Dr. Evans can help you assess whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure and if it will be safe for you. If you have underlying health issues, Dr. Evans will consult with your primary care doctor or cardiologist to help reduce the risk of potential problems. If you want to learn more about this procedure, you can visit TexanENT.com/ septoplasty or call 512-550-0321. We’re here to help you breathe easy.
HAVE A LAUGH
EASY ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS
Inspired by Delish.com
This healthy summer dish is the perfect way to use up extra zucchini!
Ingredients
• • • • • •
1 tbsp olive oil
• • •
3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded 1 1/3 cups red enchilada sauce, divided 4 large zucchini, sliced very thin lengthwise and dried
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
• •
2 cups shredded cheese
Salt, to taste
Sour cream and cilantro, for garnish
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring for 5 minutes. 2. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for one minute, then add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. Stir to combine. 3. On a cutting board, lay out three slices of zucchini side by side. Top each with a scoop of chicken mixture, then roll into a tube. Repeat with remaining zucchini slices. 4. Add the rolls to a baking dish. 5. Top the rolls with the remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with garnishes!
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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 A Very Memorable Vacation
Page 2 Is ‘Hammocking’ a Better Way to Sleep?
Fourth of July Fun Facts to Share With the Kids
Page 3 What Is a Deviated Septum?
Easy Zucchini Enchiladas
Page 4 An Important In-Westie-gation
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You’re Not Gonna BelieveThis! THE MOST AMERICAN DOGS?
It’s July, which means we are celebrating America’s 245th birthday! We’ve talked about the pitfalls of calculating dog ages before, but going with the widely-used conversion rate of 7 dog years for one human year, our country is 1,715 years old! Whew. Enough math! Let’s get down to business. We’ve discovered something truly alarming. Since it’s the Fourth of July, we’re feeling all kinds of patriotic! Of course, we hate the loud bangs from fireworks, but we love backyard barbecues where we get to hang out with the family and catch a nibble of some grilled goodness when it drops to the ground. Our mouths are already watering … Oops. We got distracted again. Here’s the thing: We wanted to talk about the most American dogs in honor of the Fourth of July, but we were shocked — to learn that two of the top three most popular dogs in the U.S. are actually European. And the most popular breed has Canadian origins!
That’s as crazy as a squirrel on a branch in the breeze, isn’t it?
You can probably guess which slobbering fetch- hound is at the top of the list. It’s the Labrador retriever. They’ve been voted most popular for 30 years in a row! Americans just love those tail-waggers. What’s funny is that they hail from Newfoundland, a province of Canada, but they get their name from the nearby Labrador territory. We always thought they were called Labs because they were created in a lab by mad scientists. You learn something new every day!
the silver, and the loyal, super-smart guardian German shepherds take the bronze. We hope you’re as shocked as we are about this breaking news, and the fact that us Westies ranked 44th most popular. At least we know we’re the No. 1 most loved dog in the Evans household.
Guess which European canines come in at No. 2 and No. 3 for the most popular dogs in American?
Drumroll, please …
The flat-faced, bat-eared, but actually pretty dang adorable French bulldogs — aka “Frenchies” — take
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