Check out our December newsletter!
TexanENT.com
512.550.0321
DECEMBER 2018
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’
CelebratingMy Daughter’s 1st Birthday A YEAR WITH AUDREY
O n Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, my life changed forever. That was the day my daughter was born. Here we are almost a year later, and I literally cannot imagine my life without Audrey. The last year flew by. It’s crazy how fast things change. Last year, Audrey was so small that Renee and I were able to take a picture of her snuggled inside her Christmas stocking. This year, I don’t think Audrey is going to fit unless we get her one of those giant stockings. She’s gotten so big and really doesn’t like to sit still. Audrey’s perfectly happy to be carried around, but the moment you try to sit down with her in your lap, she’ll get restless. She’d rather be on the move, checking things out and observing what’s going on around her. She’s like a little scientist, always looking for something new. Every week, it seems like she’s hitting some new milestone. She’s been saying “dada” and “mama” a lot, and she sometimes looks in the mirror and says “baby.” It’s amazing to watch her grow. My parents came out right after Audrey was born and then again two months later. They were astounded by how much she’d changed in just those few weeks. Every time they come to town, she’s radically different. Renee and I see her every day, so we don’t often notice the changes. But there are times when I stop and think, “Wow. Just look at her today!”
island in our kitchen. Renee or I will pop up, and Audrey just bursts into a fit of laughter. It’s adorable. I never knew playing peekaboo could be so much fun. Speaking of things I didn’t know, I need to shout out Renee for being the most incredible woman on the planet. I heard all kinds of horror stories about sleepless nights and dirty diapers, but no one talks about the time and effort that goes into breastfeeding! Poor Renee has been Audrey’s food supply for a year, and that
Audrey and Renee
takes a great deal of sacrifice. She always has to pay attention to what she eats and drinks, and it’s hard to travel or go to new places when you have to bring the pump around. I have so much admiration for Renee being able to do this all year. We’re really looking forward to being able to put the pump away and move Audrey to formula soon.
“Every week, it seems like she’s hitting some new milestone.”
Audrey is really starting to develop her own personality. She gets fussy sometimes, but for the most part, she’s pretty calm. Some babies laugh and smile all the time, but with Audrey, you really have to work for it. She loves playing peekaboo, so sometimes we’ll put her in her high chair and duck down behind the
It’s been quite the year, and I am blessed to have spent it with my wife and our beautiful baby girl. Happy birthday, Audrey. I am so happy you are in our lives and that I get to be here to see you learn and grow every day. I love you so much. –Dr. Seth Evans
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KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE THEY ATTACK Achoo! That’s the last noise you want to hear this winter. Cold weather brings a slew of sicknesses, so be vigilant to treat these common illnesses, or better yet, avoid them altogether. The Common Cold Although there is no cure, a cold is easier to treat than other illnesses. If you or a loved one has a runny nose, low-grade fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat, the common cold has most likely taken hold. With the help of rest and perhaps some cold medicine, like cough drops and decongestants, the cold will come and go in about a week. Bronchiolitis Bronchiolitis appears most commonly in children less than a year old and is caused by other viruses. Of the many symptoms — nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, and coughing —wheezing is the one you should be most concerned about. If your child is having difficulty breathing and is dehydrated, they may have caught a more serious strain of the virus. Most children will recover with at-home rest, but some may need to be hospitalized for more severe symptoms. Influenza The flu is known for causing high fever, muscle aches and pains, nausea, and other symptoms similar to a cold. Often, the fever will last for around five days, but it can be shortened with the aid of antiviral medications. However, these medications are recommended only for children who face serious complications or hospitalization from the flu. If you want to avoid catching this, your best bet is to receive the annual flu vaccine. Strep Throat A sore throat, headache, stomach ache, vomiting, and high fever are signs of strep. This infection is treated with antibiotics and should be addressed soon after the first symptoms appear to prevent further complications. Children with strep throat should stay away from school and other activities until they’ve been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Everyone knows that getting sick is no fun and is best avoided at all costs. However, it happens to everyone eventually. Catching a virus or infection in its early stages can help you shake the sickness much faster. 4 WINTER ILLNESSES YOU’D RATHER AVOID
It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here a few things to keep in mind. Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore. It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater- themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December! YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY?
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SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Are You Suffering From Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea?
changes, memory problems, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. If that wasn’t bad enough, nearly
It’s not uncommon to feel tired around the holidays. Between shopping for presents, scheduling family gatherings, and socializing with coworkers at the office Christmas party, we could all use an extra nap this December. But if you notice that you’re feeling exhausted all the time and no amount of sleep seems to re-energize your body, you may be suffering from something far more serious than holiday stress. The American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) found that 15 percent of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that leaves a person unable to breathe properly while asleep. An episode of sleep apnea usually lasts between 10 seconds and two minutes, and episodes can happen hundreds of times throughout the night. During these episodes, a sleeping person is deprived of oxygen, suffocating in their sleep until their body is forced to gasp for air. This is why loud snoring is often associated with sleep apnea. Suffering from oxygen deprivation every night leads to some serious health issues that can destroy your internal organs. Patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea often suffer from fatigue, headaches, heartburn, depression, personality
80 percent of nocturnal strokes are connected to sleep apnea. The ASAA estimated 90 percent of sleep apnea cases are not yet diagnosed. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are suffocated in their sleep every night and feel worn out each day without knowing why. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available once your sleep apnea is diagnosed, ranging from lifestyle changes, like losing weight, to surgery, such as septoplasty. Surgery is not the most common solution for sleep apnea. At Texan ENT, Dr. Seth Evans regularly recommends a CPAP breathing mask or an oral appliance to help patients breathe easier at night. However, if you are suffering from a case of sleep apnea that demands surgery to improve, it’s best to see a doctor who can offer you the best treatment options available. Don’t spend another year struggling to keep your eyes open. Give Texan ENT a call at 512.550.0321 and determine if undiagnosed sleep apnea is keeping you up at night.
LAUGH! HAVE A
30-Minute Cauliflower Soup This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Ingredients
• • • •
1/2 cup heavy cream
•
1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• • • •
1 leek, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
Directions
1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
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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 Happy Birthday, Audrey!
Page 2 Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
Page 2 What Do My Symptoms Mean? Page 3 Feel Tired After a Long Year? Page 3 30-Minute Cauliflower Soup
Page 4 Word From the Westies
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN
What’s onYour Dog’sWish List?
Benebone Wishbone
Finding the perfect present is hard enough when shopping for family members who can tell you what they want, but what about your pets? Good thing Izzy and I are here to tell you what your dog really wants for Christmas! Check out these canine-approved gift suggestions your dog is sure to love.
Treats are popular dog gifts, but owners should avoid real bones or rawhide. Hard cow bones can hurt a dog’s teeth, and it’s not uncommon for pig ears or rawhide to get stuck in our intestines. Ouch! That’s
Kong Dog Toy
Next to the stick, Kong chew toys are truly a canine classic. Voted the best indestructible toy by dogs everywhere, Kong toys are great for dogs that tend to rip their toys to shreds. Yeah, it’s fun to shake apart a stuffed squirrel, but the fabric and stuffing can be dangerous when swallowed. If you keep finding stuffed toys torn to bits, you might want to put a Kong in your dog’s stocking instead. We may be cute and cuddly, but Izzy and I are also fierce hunters. Dogs like us want to be challenged, physically and mentally. Food puzzles are a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated, and the Trixie Flip Board is one of the best. Hide treats in this board, and challenge your dog to lift panels, move cones, and turn knobs in order to claim their prize. It’s a lot of fun and really works up your appetite! Trixie Flip Board
why we recommend the Benebone Wishbone. This “bone” is actually made of sturdy nylon and laced with real food ingredients, like bacon, chicken, or peanuts. It’s a tasty chew toy, and there’s less of a chance your dog will swallow something that could hurt their insides. We hope these tips help you with your shopping this season. And from our pack to yours, have a merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Izzy & Emma
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