Texan ENT July 2019
TexanENT.com
512.550.0321
JULY 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’
‘Lone Star: A History of Texas and theTexans’ A REALLY GREAT STORY
I’ve lived in Texas for seven years but, for a long time, knew next to nothing about its history. To be fair, I think most people learn about their state history when they’re in elementary school. Ask me about Virginia, where I grew up, and I bet I can still conjure up some historical fun facts. Ryan Holiday, one of my favorite authors, sends out an email once a month with a list of book recommendations. When I saw a book about Texas history on that list a few months ago, I decided it was time to learn a bit more about this great state.
So far, it’s been a really good read. Fehrenbach was a historian, but he wrote like a novelist. The early history of Texas is filled with action and adventure, and Fehrenbach really managed to capture the excitement.
As the book begins to reach the events that created Texas as we know it today, you start to see some familiar names. A lot of the big cities in Texas are named after important historical figures who shaped the state. For example, Austin is named for Stephen Austin, the first North American who settled in Texas and started the first colony, and Houston gets its name from Sam Houston, who led the army that defeated Mexican troops during the Texas Revolution in 1836. Even the smaller towns and locations are named for historical events, like early settlements or famous battles. Recently, when new patients have come in to see me, I’ve been getting a kick out of reading their forms, seeing what town they’re from, and now knowing about some major event that happened in that area in the 1800s. It really makes me feel like I’m part of this state now. If you’re looking for some summer reading, I highly recommend “Lone Star.” Texas is a great state with a fascinating history. Fehrenbach did a great job collecting that history into one book.
The book Holiday recommended is “Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans” by T.R. Fehrenbach. This massive book is almost 800 pages long and covers all of Texas history up until it was published in 1968, though it was updated slightly in 2000.
When I say all of Texas history, I do mean all of it. Fehrenbach starts with the region’s prehistoric days, when the T. rex was marching around. He goes on to cover the
various Native Tribes who lived in this area, as well as the French and Spanish invasions, Mexico declaring its independence from Spain,
and Texas declaring its independence from Mexico. At the time of writing, I just got to the Texas Revolution and the founding of the Republic of Texas.
“A lot of the big cities in Texas are named after important historical figures who shaped the state.”
It’s not a boring, dense textbook; it flows well and is enjoyable to read. History is a story, after all, and it turns out that Texas has a pretty great story to tell.
–Dr. Seth Evans
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Even though road trips offer you a break from the monotony of your office, the stiffness in your muscles and joints that comes from sitting in one position for too long can follow you onto the road if you’re not careful. Whether in front of a laptop or behind the wheel, taking the opportunity to stretch and exercise on your summer road trip is a great way to prevent the soreness from following you back to the office. Here are a few stretches to keep in mind for the next rest stop. For the Neck Reach your left arm over the top of your head and touch your right ear. Then, gently pull your head to the left and hold it there for 15 seconds. Repeat this process with your right arm. For the Chest Stand in front of a door frame with one hand pressed on either side and your elbows at 90-degree angles, then lean forward. This will cause your chest muscles to open up. Hold this position for 15 seconds. You can do a similar stretch by bending downward while keeping your hands on your car door in front of you, stretching your entire upper body. For the Hips While you’re driving, a good way to prevent sore hips is by making sure your knees are slightly elevated above them in your seat. Once you have the opportunity to stop, try doing some hip flexors. Kneel on one knee, slowly push your pelvis forward, squeeze your shoulders back, and open your chest. Hold this position for 15 seconds, then repeat while kneeling on the other knee. For the Legs To stretch out your hamstrings, place your right heel on a small step. Extend your arms upward, and then lean your upper body forward. You’ll feel a pull in the back of your upper leg. Once you’ve done this for about 15–30 seconds, repeat the process with your left heel. The road may be long, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel it in your muscles. If you stop every couple of hours and take some time to limber up, your body will thank you.
3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. Never swim alone. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having
someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an
option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. Know what you’re getting into. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the
spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. Watch for rip currents. These can occur at any
beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull
away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to
shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
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Common Causes Behind Chronic Coughs
So, you’ve come down with a cough. We’ve all been there. It’s bad enough to interrupt a meeting with one loud, uncontrollable cough, but a cough that lingers for weeks on end can feel like torture. Your pockets become full of cough drop wrappers and your friends insist tea with lemon and honey is the answer, but nothing seems to work. Here are a couple reasons why you might be suffering from a chronic cough. New Medication Certain drugs have been known to induce chronic coughing. Patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) often suffer a chronic cough after being prescribed angiotensin covering enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. If your cough began shortly after you started a new prescription, talk to your doctor about the known side effects of your medication. Acid Reflux Disease Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also called acid reflux or GERD, occurs when stomach acid get trapped inside the throat. This acid can damage the
lining of the throat and lead to a persistent cough. In this situation, the best way to stop your cough is by addressing the cause of your GERD. Nasal Allergies Seasonal or environmental allergens often cause watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose, which can lead to a medical occurrence called post-nasal drip. This is when a buildup of mucus trickles down from the nose into the throat and lungs. This constant drip can irritate the soft tissue of your throat and lungs and lead to chronic coughing. Schedule an appointment at Texan ENT to learn your options for dealing with allergies all year long. There are a number of medical conditions and lifestyle habits that may be contributing to your cough. Discover other reasons you have that lingering cough and what to do about them on our blog at TexanENT.com/reasons-why-that-cough- is-still-lingering . And remember, if your cough has lingered for longer than six weeks, seek medical attention immediately. It could be a sign of a more serious ailment.
WHEN COUGH DROPS DON’T CUT IT
HAVE A LAUGH
Watermelon Cucumber Skewers
Inspired by CookingLight.com
Skewers are a Fourth of July favorite, but these are not your classic kebabs. They’re a fresh, light, and fun way to start a barbecue. Oh, and they don’t require any actual cooking.
Ingredients
• 1 medium-sized watermelon, cubed • 2 cucumbers, cut into 1/4-inch rounds • 1 block feta cheese, cubed
• 1 bunch fresh mint leaves • Salt, to taste
Equipment
• 1 packet of bamboo skewers
Directions
1. Assemble skewers by placing one watermelon cube, one cucumber round, one feta cube, and one mint leaf on skewer in that order. Repeat until skewer is full. 2. Lightly season with salt and chill in fridge until right before serving.
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1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1 Something Worth Remembering
Page 2 4 Stretches for Staying Limber on the Road
Page 2 3 Things Everyone Needs to Know Before Swimming in Open Water
Page 3 Why Do I Keep Coughing?
Page 3 Watermelon Cucumber Skewers
FUN IN THE SUN Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Summer SafetyTips for theTexas Sun
Hello, everybody!
bottle of water to keep your dog hydrated if you’re going outside.
We’re well into summer and, boy, is it hot! On most days, Emma and I would both rather be with our humans inside where it’s nice and cool. Of course, sometimes you have no choice but to head outside, no matter how bright the sun is. Here are a few sun safety tips for both humans and dogs! Everybody Needs Sunscreen Humans aren’t the only ones who can get sunburned. Dogs need skin protection, too. Humans should use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30–50. Any higher doesn’t provide that much more coverage. Meanwhile, dogs need pet-friendly sunscreen that doesn’t contain zinc oxide. Be sure to apply dog-safe sunscreen to any area where your dog’s bare skin is exposed including their nose, the tips of their ears, legs, and abdomen. Make sure everyone reapplies their sunscreen every two hours. Stay Hydrated Having access to fresh water is key to avoid overheating. Keep your dog’s water dish full in the summer and bring along a bowl and an extra
Keep an eye out for symptoms of overheating, like excessive panting, increased heart rate, excessive drooling, or stupor. If your dog is starting to overheat, bring them inside to cool down. Keep Those Layers In the heat, a lot of humans opt for short sleeves and lighter fabrics to stay a little cooler. However, you don’t want to leave your skin entirely exposed to the sun. Protect your skin with lightweight sleeves and wide- brimmed hats. This advice is good for dogs, too. If your dog has a long coat, don’t shave their fur in the summer. Shaving long-coated dogs exposes their skin to sun damage. Instead, have your groomer thin out their coat to lighten the load without losing sun protection.
Stay cool out there!
Izzy & Emma
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