November / December 2013

noVeMber/deceMber 2013

an inDooR WoRKout

tis tHe season to tReat youRself:

tHat toRcHes caloRies

austin

Md’s

DiffeRences betWeen

alleRGies anD a colD

gu ide to looK ing You r best

affoRDable caRe act:

HoW it Will affect you ouR fiRst music issue

h a a M K eeps

austin musicians rocK ing a n d w ell WILLIE NELSON is one of many famous Austinite’s who is a long time HAAM supporter 6

Our focus on proactive wellness helps you manage your own healthcare.

At WellMed, our clinics have established a reputation of being an innovative leader in senior healthcare services that stretches over a span of more than 20 years.

Our emphasis on healthy lifestyle education allows you to become an active partner in managing your healthcare. Combined with our team of dedicated physicians, nurses and technicians, along with a schedule of annual exams and screenings, you will have the help you need to live your senior years to the fullest.

In addition, we believe that you deserve a truly VIP-level of personal attention under our care, and everything we do in all our WellMed clinics is dedicated to fulfilling this goal.

I want to be your partner, call to learn more about the advantages that WellMed clinics offer, or if you wish to become my patient, please give us a call at 855-795-1511.

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cOntents

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profiles 06

Co-oWner(S):

KeepinG auStin MuSiCianS healthy anD roCKinG

angela strickland & aman Bandali ACCount eXeCutIVe

rachel escobar

- A nonprofit, HAAM

Art dIreCtor

andrius Krasuckas

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dIreCtor oF PhotoGrAPhy

liFe on the roaD - Musicians offer tips as they tell all aBout the health coMplications and ailMents of a life of travel and Body strain

w. tyler lackey edItorIAl ASSIStAnt

lauren Bolado edItorIAl ASSIStAnt

Kat delgrande edItorIAl Intern

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hannah neumann ContrIbutInG WrIterS

Jaime netzer hannah neumann Bianca Moragne Kat delgrande dr. shirat ling eve Micheals lauren Bolado dr. phyllis Books dr. amin Mery

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a neW year, a neW you - strengthen your Body this season with pilates

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departments

PhotoGrAPherS

w. tyler lackey hannah neumann david Mcclister robert downs tyler Kapper Mike villavicencio

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cover photography by david Mcclister

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publisher’s Letter

November/december 2013 MEET OUR TEAM

Angela Strickland Co-Owner

Aman Bandali Co-Owner

angela@austinmdmagazine.com

aman@austinmdmagazine.com

Rachel Escobar account executive

Kathleen DelGrande Editorial Assistant

rachel@austinmdmagazine.com

kat@austinmdmagazine.com

Jaime Netzer Associate Editor

Lauren Bolado Editorial Assistant

jaime@austinmdmagazine.com

lauren@austinmdmagazine.com

W. Tyler Lackey director of photography

Hannah Neumann editorial Intern

tyler@austinmdmagazine.com

hannah@austinmdmagazine.com

T

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and we at Austin MD are excited for this holiday season! Over the past few months we have been truly humbled by our experiences.

We have had some amazing interviews with great people such as Gena Lee Nolin, Daniel Baldwin and Wendy Davis, who announced her upcoming run for governor shortly after our issue was released. The very intimate experiences shared in Austin MD Magazine gave the Austin community a glimpse into the histories of these and many other interesting people. The issue with Wendy Davis on the cover, and her story surrounding the now famous filibuster, gained the recognition of over 10,000 online viewers in the first week alone, a memory that still leaves us brimming with pride!

Our first annual Date A Doc Charity Auction was a success with more than 300 attendees and over $11,100 raised, which will be presented to charities throughout Austin and around the world!

We are happy to be working with HAAM on this issue to bring health information for the population in Austin, Texas that makes us known around the world—our musicians.

Staying healthy in the music industry is complex and crucial for most musicians, but our experts have information to help. Then, in our specialists guide, find a guide to local cosmetic procedures and the physicians who do them. We hope you enjoy our last issue of 2013 and look forward to bringing you the news of 2014 in our next issue!

Co-Owner(s): Angela Strickland & Aman Bandali

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Musicians

Keeping Austin Musicians Healthy and Rocking A nonprofit, HAAM

By Jaime Netzer Ray Benson Photography by W. Tyler Lackey Willie Nelson Photography by David McClister

You’ve probably caught a truly great live show recently. Maybe you danced to Passion Pit before the rain set in at ACL; maybe you slipped into the Continental Club on a random Monday afternoon for a no-cover early show. Austin is, after all, the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World. More than 9,000 working musicians call Austin home, but what you may not know is that the vast majority of them live on less than $16,000 a year, and many are uninsured. Luckily, Austin is also home to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), a nonprofit healthcare organization that helps keep those working poor musicians’ bodies as in tune and on track as the music that fuels this community.

Y

HAAM was founded in 2005 by the late Austin philanthropist Robin Shivers. Nine years ago, HAAM had 450 members. Today, they have more than 2,050. In 2012, the organization raised more than $1 million through foundation support, special events, individual contributions and more.

2013’s HAAM Benefit Day, where businesses donated 5 percent of the day’s proceeds to HAAM and musicians performed throughout the day at retail stores, outside stages and more, is expected to bring in an estimated $350,000 alone.

“It’s a unique organization,” explains Chris Adams, HAAM Board President and partner at Maxwell, Locke & Ritter LLP. “The founder wanted to maximize the services that were given to musicians, so they reached out to healthcare providers in the community who were already serving the working poor.

It was designed as a leverage collaboration model across the community’s resources, collaborating between clients, healthcare providers and the community as a whole.”

Plus, Adams adds, HAAM’s success is thanks to the Austin community’s generosity. “The Austin community understands how important music is. There’s a giving culture in Austin, and donors really understand what they’re getting for their gift: The community will benefit from it culturally and financially.”

HAAM doesn’t provide services directly to musicians; rather, it partners with area experts, helping to facilitate necessary health services. “We’re not an insurance provider; we’re a connector,” Adams says.

And those providers are numerous: Seton Medical Centers provide primary medical care; St. David’s Foundation in partnership with Capital Area Dental Foundation provides basic dental care; the SIMS Foundation provides mental health and addiction recovery services; Estes Audiology provides hearing health services; Prevent Blindness Texas provides vision health services; and Whole Foods provides nutrition services.

FoR eVeRy dollAR

that comes iNto haam, We’re aBLe to LeVeraGe that iNto aBout seVeN doLLars iN serVice A u s t i n MD m A g A z i n e . c o m

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Musicians

HAAM by the Numbers The stats don’t lie: These 2012 Figures show HAAM’s Impact on Austin Musicians: 1,034 — number of HAAM eligibility and renewal appointments completed

2,230 — number of visits to Seton Healthcare Family clinics 1,148 — number of dental visits to St. David’s Foundation in partnership with Capital Area Dental Foundation 1,825 — number of prescriptions written by Seton Healthcare Family

320 — number of musicians who received screening, education, and fittings for custom earplugs 5,683 — number of sessions of counseling, psychiatric, and addiction-recovery services provided by The SIMS Foundation to HAAM members

297 — vision screenings provided

by Prevent Texas Blindness

The Austin Music Industry by the Numbers Just in case the whole “Live Music Capitol of the World” nickname didn’t convince you that Austin’s music industry is an important contributor to its economy: $2 billion — economic activity created by the music industry

$38 million — local tax revenue created by the music industry 18,148 — area jobs provided by the music industry more than 9,000 — approximate number of Austin musicians

Tens of thousands — number of global visitors brought annually by Austin City Limits Music Festival and South By Southwest.

Source: TXP, Inc., City of Austin, 2012 via www.myhaam.org

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Willie Nelson is one of many famous Austinite’s who is a long time HAAM supporter

MusiciAns

And furthermore, most HAAM services are not free. They are, however, low-cost. “For every dollar that comes into HAAM, we’re able to leverage that into about seven dollars in service,” Adams says. “These providers offer services at a greatly reduced rate, and the musicians pay very small copays.”

Those small copays can make a huge difference for working musicians like John Pointer, who has eleven Austin Music Awards, including this year’s award for Best Acoustic Guitar.

Pointer, who describes his solo shows as a “one man wall of sound,” is also a Type 1 Diabetic. Back in 2009, he was denied coverage by his primary care physician after his high-risk insurance wouldn’t cover enough of the costs. “He wanted to see me more than my insurance would cover,” Pointer says, “and I couldn’t afford that. Quite honestly I could not afford to pay him a visit, in all senses of the word.”

As a diabetic, Pointer needs regular prescription refills in order to complete tests monitoring his blood glucose levels. But after his doctor sent a letter giving him 30 days to find a new physician, Pointer was angry and panicked. He wanted to keep his insurance, but find someone to write prescriptions, so he reached out to HAAM, who suggested something radical: “The social worker said, ‘We’ve got programs for this, why would you keep that insurance if they’re not serving you?’” Pointer says. “So for the first time in my life I took a deep breath and dumped my insurance.”

Since then, Pointer says, he’s been paying on a scaled rate for services and medication provided to him through HAAM. “For the first time in my life I started getting actual service, because HAAM is focused on treating people, not necessarily first and foremost on charging people.”

the austiN commuNity uNderstaNds hoW

iMPoRtAnt Music is Board president Adams says stories like this are exactly why he got involved with HAAM in the first place. “It’s very important that we keep our musicians healthy. Austin gets a lot out of our musicians, and it’s a great economic stimulus; most of them don’t make very much money and don’t have health care. I feel like it’s something important for the community as well as for the people in the community.”

RAy Benson: teXas-siZed generositY As you exit the top floor of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, you’re welcomed to the city by a life-sized, 6-foot-7-inch cardboard cutout of musician Ray Benson. Tucked behind Ray Benson’s Roadhouse, the cardboard Benson is strumming a guitar and smiling, providing the perfect Austin welcome. Benson, long-time leader of the Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel, has called Austin home since 1973, when the group relocated to Austin at the suggestion of none other than Willie Nelson. Asleep at the Wheel has since released more than 20 albums, won 9 Grammy awards, and seen upwards of 90 musicians circle through its ranks. So Benson, who has always remained at the helm of Asleep at the Wheel, and who also has numerous notable producing credits under his belt, including tracks for Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and albums for Dale and Aaron Watson, has no doubt known many a musician, struggling and otherwise.

Benson’s long-time, active presence in the Austin music scene created a natural connection with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) back in 2005. Benson was a founding board member of HAAM, because he was looking for ways to keep Austin musicians healthy. “I was chairman of the SIMS foundation, which provides mental health care and suicide prevention for Austin musicians,” Benson explains. “I surmised that physical healthcare was an area we needed to address for our musician clients.” Benson received a call from HAAM founder Robin Shivers, and once they met, the rest is healthy history. Benson is also on the St. Davids Foundation Board, and its dental committee, which oversees HAAM’s dental program. Benson credits HAAM’s success to the great outpouring of support from the both individuals and businesses in the community. “Having survived 43 years in the music business I know how important health is to singers and musicians,” Benson says.

“Vocal chord polyps, repetitive stress injuries are all part of the occupational hazards of playing music professionally and HAAM allows musicians to have access to treatment otherwise unavailable to them here-to-fore.”

FoR MoRe inFo: to learn More about haaM’s prograMs, beneFits, special events, or to donate, visit www.MYhaaM.org or call 512.322.5177.

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Troy Robertson

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life

on

the

road Musicians offer tips as they tell all about the health complications and ailments of a life of travel and body strain By: Hannah Neumann Photos by: Hannah Neumann, and Robert downs

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image from Shutterstock

Musicians

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Musicians

K Kurt Neumann:

Whole Foods & Fitness Expert Opinion: Tendonitis Problems For Musicians Dr. Brent Egeland Surgeon with the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of Central Texas who specializes in hand and wrist injuries Is tendonitis common?

This is quite common. In fact, tendonitis can come in a wide variety of forms throughout the upper extremity from the shoulder to the fingers. As hand surgeons, the most common tendonitis we encounter is a trigger finger, but the same process can take place in the wrist where it has a different name – de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis or Intersection Syndrome, [these] are two such names in the wrist.

Why does this happen?

Kurt Neumann is a singer, guitarist and songwriter of the roots-rock band the BoDeans. Although primarily a guitar player, Neumann has also been known to play the drums (his first instrument), bass, keyboards and mandolin.

BIO

How do you stay healthy on the road?

It’s really hard to stay healthy on the road.

The two most important things when on the road are drinking water and sleep. Sleep is a big one; sleep is the key to life. When I’m home I make sure to exercise and eat healthy to make up for my time on the road.

What kinds of things make it difficult to stay healthy as a musician?

I don’t get enough sleep, I sing way too much, I stand in a weird position when I’m playing guitar so my back gets messed up, I drive all night sometimes to get to a hotel and I eat terrible foods because that’s what is available at the time. When I’m at home, I

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exercise almost everyday. I have an awesome wife who makes great food for me when I’m home; we eat a lot of whole foods, meaning we make most of our meals from scratch and I just try to avoid stress. I don’t go out a lot; I get better sleep and try to rest my voice.

Besides throat issues, what other health related ailments do you suffer from as a result of your profession?

We tend to sing five shows in a row, and that’s really hard on my throat and vocal chords. Tendonitis is in my wrist from playing drums my whole life. One time, I jabbed a pair of scissors into my hand when I was trying to fix something and it didn’t heal for a while. I cut through the nerve, and that’s a major guitar-playing finger for me, so that can be a problem. As you get older your joints definitely start to wear out, so you try to be careful in everything that you do.

I always use the pulley analogy. Imagine a small pulley with a rope going through it.

When the size of the rope and the pulley match, everything runs smooth and the pulley helps lift a load. Now, imagine if that rope became enlarged or even had a knot tied in it – the pulley does not work correctly and there is friction – this is the tendonitis.

Could it be prevented with stretching, soaking or doing something else after drumming?

It is impossible to say. Although rest and splinting may be a treatment choice allowing a cure, this does not always work and requires more than just rest following a session. Unfortunately for many musicians, their instrument is their livelihood and they cannot stop playing a number of weeks that may be necessary.

Playing with a splint on may help that pulley from building friction. Certainly soaking, ice packs, and or warm packs may help with the symptoms.

Should drummers be careful to take breaks or not drum any longer than (X) number of hours at a given time?

It has been my experience that this is a process that starts quickly and leaves slowly. Even after two weeks of rest, the symptoms may recur with a single motion. I find that musicians have a really difficult time gradually getting back into their playing. It is often hard to hit the drums lightly or squeeze the guitar frets gently; but if possible, this may be a nice way to get back into playing.

Musicians

T Tessa Torrence:

Singing Through The Pain I released my debut album “Feel No Evil” August, 20, [2013] through Megaforce/RED distribution.

It was a collaboration with my dad, Kurt Neumann of the BoDeans. Multi Grammy Award-winning Chris Lord-Alge even mixed some songs on the record. I’ve been super blessed to play live with a lot of great musicians, including Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, Melissa Etheridge, Aerosmith), Ethan Phillips (Fitz and the Tantrums, Brett Dennen), Paul Bushnell (Tim McGraw, Elton John) and many other awesome and incredibly talented guys. I’ve also sung backing vocals on some songs like BoDeans 2012 single “All The World” as well as a song for Brad Rice, who’s a great guitarist and best known for his work with Ryan Adams and Keith Urban, which was real cool.

BIO

How do you keep your throat healthy, both temporarily and long term?

Temporarily, tea is useful for me. Vocal exercises and relaxation are long term tools I use to stay healthy.

What makes it difficult to stay healthy as a musician?

First of all, late nights. I was playing midnight slots at clubs when I was 16 yrs old; it was really tough. Long days, all the stress and craziness, dirty clubs, eating unhealthy stuff because it’s at your fingertips, all play a role. Everyone is smoking and drinking around you. Just bad influences in general, like anything.

How often would you say you have to visit an ENT? Multiple times a year.

What illness/health complications do you struggle with the most?

I have asthma and terrible allergies as well as recurring sinus infections (4-7 a year) due to my deviated septum. This can make it really hard to breathe and cause me to struggle with pneumonia from time to time, which is an absolute pain to sing with. I’ve had to play gigs with pneumonia quite a few times.

Besides throat issues, what other health related bodily ailments do you suffer from as a result of your profession?

Do psychological issues count? Kidding! Kinda...

Expert Opinion: Sound Advice On Singer’s Vocal Health Esther Cheung-Phillips, MD Capital Otolaryngology Keeping your voice healthy as a singer can be quite a challenge, but not impossible. Although your environment may not be under your control, there are a few things you can control to prevent problems from occurring with your voice.

One of the main things singers deal with is the drying out of the vocal folds (cords). In general, normal adults should be drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water a day, just as maintenance. Singing and speaking can be quite drying and require even more fluids to hydrate the vocal folds. Beware of sodas, coffee and tea, which contain caffeine, and can cause you to urinate more frequently, losing precious hydration. Many of these beverages are also very acidic, which can irritate your throat when consumed too often. Alcohol and cigarette smoke both can cause irritation and dryness to the vocal cords, so one of the best things you can do as a singer is to hydrate prior to, during and after your performances.

Excess alcohol during performances and gigs can lower your awareness of range and pitch, which may lead to inadvertent injury. In other words, after your fourth whiskey, you find that you can now hit a few notes higher than during practice, so you decide to add an additional rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to your set. You find out the next day that it wasn’t such a great idea.

Another problem vocalists deal with is singing while sick. Allergies and illnesses such as the common cold lead to inflammation of the vocal folds, which can affect the quality of singing. If you are sick, it is best to rest and sing after you feel better. If you must sing, the best thing you can do is avoid using your voice except for during your gig or performance.

This means avoiding excessive talking as well. And of course, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you continue experiencing voice problems, see an ENT (ear-nose-throat physician or otolaryngologist) ASAP.

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Musicians

J Johnny Goudie:

Sleep is Key I’ve been a performing musician for 30 years. I have been in bands including Mr. Rocket Baby, Goudie, Endochine and Ian Moore. I’ve also worked on various solo projects and been a member of the Good Times Juggernaut and SKYROCKET! for the last 11 years.

BIO

Expert Opinion: How Sleep Is Essential To A Well Tuned Voice Christopher Thompson, MD Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, with a subspecialty in Sleep Medicine

How do you stay healthy on the road or when playing multiple shows?

My main thing is sleep. As long as I get enough sleep my voice stays in shape. If not, it starts to fall apart. Also, I try to stay out of loud places. They make me talk louder, and sometimes that hurts my voice.

Snoring Austin (a division of Capital Otolaryngology) Sleep deprivation has an enormous impact on our ability to function during the day. We usually notice the overall fatigue, but decreased abilities in specific activities are not always expected.

A recent study examining a sleep deprived person’s ability to visually follow a moving target demonstrated a 40 percent loss of accuracy, compared to those who had a full night’s sleep. It makes sense that sleep deprivation would impair complex behaviors.

Another example comes from a musician who says, “My main thing is sleep. As long as I get enough sleep my voice stays in shape. If not it starts to fall apart.”

This is another example of a very complex behavior deteriorating in the presence of sleep deprivation.

The incredibly delicate muscular control that is required to produce the ideal voice will also suffer from sleep deprivation, just as the loss of visual tracking that occurred in the study subjects.

How do you keep your throat healthy, both temporarily and long term?

I try to exercise every day. I find that cardio keeps my breathing deep. Breathing right while singing helps my voice a lot. Exercising makes the breathing better, which in turn helps me sing on stage.

What’s your routine on the road, in a general sense?

It all depends on the day. I usually try to go for a run, make sure I eat and get enough rest.

What kind of things make it difficult to stay healthy as a musician?

Late nights/early mornings, drinking, touching strangers and getting germs, weather changes, bad sleep and much, much more.

What are your specific ailments?

I suffer from allergies, often. Also, if I don’t stretch, my shoulder can get painful.

What kind of medical issues related to your profession do you have to visit a doctor for?

I have had to go to sports medicine specialists about my shoulder issues, but I haven’t had any problems for a year and a

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half because of my stretching routine.

What illness/health complications do you struggle with the most?

Allergies, but I have it under control with medicine.

Besides throat issues, what other health

related bodily ailments do you suffer from as a result of your profession?

As I said my shoulder, but that hasn’t been a problem for a while.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Exercise, sleep well, eat well and don’t talk in loud places.

Musicians

P Peter DiStefano:

Living drug free I have been playing guitar since I was 13, and I’m 48 now. I was born and raised in Santa Monica, California and was in a surf band called K-38. We did surf music like the Ventures and had a good following. My father Vito DiStefano played music and sang and was in the Rose Tattoo; I wanted to do music because of this. I was on a surf trip in Mexico and met Perry Farrell.

We shared a cabana together, I was playing some classical guitar and he was like, “Wow, that was some really cool finger picking. We should start a band called Porno for Pyros and do this project together.” We hooked back up in L.A. and tried something different with a DJ and it was great. Then, I spun out on drugs in 1997. I got clean, and now I’ve been clean for 16 ½ years. After that, I started another band called Lance Armstrong in 2010, and we’ve been doing great. I’ve been doing a lot of film and television work, lots of film score work and Guitar Session for a guy named Harry Williams; a big film composer, and that’s it!

BIO

What are your specific ailments?

Sometimes fatigue, so I try and sleep on the planes and rest when I can; I also try not to stress. I try to have good musicians with me so it makes it easier. I try not to control everything and just let go; let the music naturally happen and realize it’s only art, it’s not that serious. People take it so seriously and I just want to have fun with it. It is an expression of the truth...but it is just an expression. The art of expression of sound; it’s not brain surgery; nobody is going to die if you do bad. People will just boo you and it will be embarrassing and that’s the worst. No one is going to die...hopefully!

What kind of bodily injuries or health problems have you had tied to music and not music?

Well, tied to music was the drugs and alcohol and that really tore me up; staying up late with women, doing stage dives with my guitar, hurting my

back, fingers bleeding, motion sickness in airplanes and cars…There are a lot of germs because you’re always moving.

You were diagnosed with cancer?

When I was shooting heroin I had overdosed in a homeless guy’s van.

When I was out he pinched my left testicle to keep me alive and breathing and it was like he deformed it. When I woke up I felt it, and it started to get back into shape and then I chain smoked more cigarettes and things like that. I think that’s like a filter for your body and I just kept doing drugs and it just kept growing and I was diagnosed with [testicular] cancer and immediately they had to remove it. I had a vascular invasion and I had to do chemotherapy.

That was another reason Porno for Pyros needed to stop; because I was dying of cancer, I was a crack addict, a heroin addict...everything. It’s been 17 years now, and I’m alive and grateful.

“Music and art is incredible and the best thing about it is that we can be ourselves and be honest without going to jail or losing our wives,” DiStefano joked.

“You can just be really real and expressive and be creative in hiding. It’s the truth but you don’t have to injure yourself or other people in order to tell it. If you were to be real about life and just say what you wanted to, you would hurt yourself and other people, where in art, you can express yourself without hurting anybody because everyone has different opinions.

You can be really creative in lyrics and if you’re getting back at someone for hurting you and you want to say something you can say it in a way without actually hurting someone, and just release it.”

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K KeNNy aroNoff:

the seven stePs For longevity ‘‘Kenny Aronoff is one of the world’s most influential and in-demand drummers. The list of artists he’s worked with reads like a who’s who of the music industry, and includes John Mellencamp, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, John Fogerty, Melissa Etheridge, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Puddle of Mudd, Avril Lavigne, Joe Cocker, B. B. King, Mick Jagger, Ray Charles, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Martin, Gladys Knight, Aaron Neville, Patti LaBelle, George Jones, and many others. With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, Kenny was named the #1 Pop/Rock Drummer and the #1 Studio Drummer for five consecutive years by the readers of Modern Drummer MagaZine and in addition has played on over 30 Grammy-nominated recordings.’

BIO

What do you do to stay healthy both long term and short term (at home and on the road)?

There are seven basic things about my health; lifting weights, cardio, stretching, the food I eat, supplements, water and sleep, six and seven I’m a little bit lacking on though. I used to brag about how I only needed like four or five hours of sleep, but then I read that you really need seven or eight to repair your mind and body and for longevity, which is what Ii’m going for.

As far as food, I’m on a gluten free diet...and it works for me. Being off gluten helps with silent inflammation.

I played so many sports and have done so much drumming; when I got off gluten for six months I noticed a lot of muscle aches that I had went away. It’s a miracle!

People should be getting more educated about what is good to eat. It all starts with what you’re putting inside you. I’m very big on protein, so I try and buy the best chicken, beef and fish I can get while I’m on the road, which

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ExpErt OpiniOn: have a healthY liFestYle on the road Christian Moreno, RD, LD Staff Dietitian, Cedar Springs Austin The life of any performance artist can be unpredictable and exhausting. In order to keep their instruments (bodies) working efficiently and effectively, healthy habits must be a priority.

Drinking water (or other hydrating fluids) to maintain balance is essential; the more active you are, the more fluids you will need to replace. Eating lean proteins, fats, and carbohydrate rich foods at every meal will keep muscle stores full, ready to perform, and assist with muscle repair.

When traveling, plan ahead. Find restaurants en route that can meet the needs mentioned above; from local bakeries and sandwich shops to fast food restaurants, it can all work with a little bit of planning. Keeping a stash of healthy snacks on hand can also be a great way to keep your energy levels up throughout the day.

Lastly and just as importantly, rest. Sleeping is the only time your body has to “reboot” and repair itself. Lack of sleep can suppress immune function even for those with the healthiest habits and impair hunger/fullness cues. Plan naps throughout the day if sleeping a full 7-9 hours at night is not an option.

is hard. If I want to get beef at home I can go to Whole Foods and get beef with no chemicals or anything bad, but on the road you don’t know where your chicken is coming from, so you do the best you can. For example, I’ll carry in my luggage protein powders, supplements, green foods, snack bars, pumpkin seeds, raisins and sunflower seeds, so when I’m in a place where I can’t get good food I’m heavily supplied.

My goal is to be as strong and healthy as I can until the last breath I take. I’d rather live to be 110 being able to walk or run and then just drop, as opposed to not being able to walk because I’m not healthy. That’s not my goal—that’s not what I want.

I take fish oil; you gotta get the right fish oil, though! Chemical free. It’s good for so many things. I take vitamin D, it’s almost like an antibiotic. I don’t take flu shots. I don’t trust them. I will double or triple up on my vitamin D if I feel like I’m getting a cold and it knocks it out right away.

What kind of things make it hard to stay healthy as a musician?

When you’re on the bus after a gig and they bring in food on the bus, like when I’m out with the BoDeans, they bring in pizzas, and I love pizza, but I don’t eat it.

So you know I just have to ask for other things to be brought in like chicken and salad or a baked potato. Sometimes my glycogen has been used up and I’m craving sugar, so I’ll just eat some dried fruit and that takes care of it. I also try to stay away from drinking; sometimes I’ll have some red wine but I try not to go too crazy. I’ll have one or maybe two glasses.

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Fitness

a neW Year, a neW You Strengthening your body with Pilates By biaNca moraGNe

For More InFo: To learn more about Pilates or to sign up for a Pilates session with Erin Leary visit one of her studios: Pilates on Kerbey, The Mindful Body Center and Core Therapy and Pilates, or give Erin a call at (512) 468-2405

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image from ShutterStock

W

ith a new year comes the desire to start over anew, and many people resolve to get in better shape and lose weight, in hopes for a healthier lifestyle.

The trouble with this resolutions fad is maintaining the motivation to make personal changes, especially when it comes to staying active. A few months into the year, you’re already bored with your mundane workout regiment and ready to throw in the towel. So, why not try something new?

For nearly half a century German-born Joseph Pilates developed a system of strengthening, stretching exercises called Contrology, meant to strengthen the human mind and body through muscle control and resistance.

He emigrated to the US in 1926, teaching his method to boxers, gymnasts and dancers into his senior years, until the rest of the world caught on. Today, this exercise is known as Pilates.

“Pilates is a method of exercise ranging in levels of difficulty. From athletes to seniors and people with severe injuries, Pilates works to cure chronic pain, increase your flexibility, improve posture, strengthen your core and build lean and strong muscles,” says Austin Pilates instructor and expert Erin Leary.

“I have had clients in their 80s who come into my studio three times a week, others who are as young as 15 years old and everywhere in between. People come to me with arthritis, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis and from all kinds of backgrounds,” Leary says. “It is a great, safe and effective way to become strong. You are very unlikely to

become injured doing Pilates, versus other, more intense exercise programs. It really is for everyone.”

Leary began practicing Pilates in high school in an effort to correct her psoriatic spine and became a certified Pilates’ instructor in 2007. Now she works at several different studios throughout the city, including Pilates on Core Therapy and Pilates and more.

“Modification is the key to Pilates success,” says Leary. All of the exercises are developed with modifications that allow safe, gentle and challenging workouts at any level. Many of the exercises are performed in sitting or reclining positions and are partially weightbearing and low impact.

Unlike other conventional forms of exercise, like swimming, weight training or

in front of a computer screen is universal, the development of poor posture and lower back, wrist and neck pain is frequent. However, Pilates prevents injury by strengthening the core and correcting the body’s alignment. No muscle is under or over trained, and the entire body is conditioned.

“Pilates is a method of exercise that strengthens the intrinsic smaller muscle groups as well as the larger muscle groups.

For example: If you are weight training you are mainly working the large muscle groups.

By working both, you strengthen the body as a whole,” Leary says. “It’s all about working your core; a strong core aids in reducing back pain. It’s a tool to get out of that pain and become very strong.”

Kevin Bowen, co-founder of the Pilates Method Alliance and director of special projects, agrees that a strong core is essential. He says it is important that abdominal muscles are flexible.

“A hard muscle may feel good and give an interesting look, but if you don’t have the flexibility, the balance and the functionality that you need to allow your body to function properly, sooner or later, it’s going to show up someplace else,” Bowen says.

With millions of different cues and movements, Pilates will keep you enthusiastic about exercising. Leary believes everyone has the right to physical perfection, and Pilates is the best way to achieve this.

“It’s hard to explain, but there is a euphoric feeling of ‘Wow, I just worked every muscle in my body,’ leaving you feeling great afterwards.

You not only feel good about your body but also see it changing,” Leary says. “You are perfecting your body to be strong, beautiful and athletic. I never get bored with it.”

You are perfecting your body to be strong, beautiful and athletic.

I never get bored with it running, Pilates works the entire body by focusing on core strength and torso stability. Conventional workouts tend to work the same muscles. This can lead to weaker muscles in some areas of the body and stronger muscles in others. The result is a muscular imbalance, which is the primary cause of injury and pain, according to Leary.

In our modern world, where sitting long hours hunched over

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Fitness

Working Out

While Staying Warm

T

he chilly weather and holidays will soon be upon us.

Luckily, you can still manage to stay in shape and have a great in-home workout. The Team from Body by Frame has put together an easy full-body circuit that can easily be done in-home.

Indoor exercises for a full-body workout Special Contribution to Austin MD by Body by Frame Fitness

1-1

Full-body In-home Circuit: 5 exercises to be done for 5 rounds and 12 repetitions each 1

Dragon pushup - Get in a pushup position, and place your hands in a staggered position on the floor (right hand lower).

Then, bring your right knee towards your right elbow, toe on floor, and do a push up. Walk your hands and opposite knee forward and repeat on the other side.

2

Lunge, lunge, squat - Take a step back with your right foot, lunge down, and then step back together. Repeat on the left leg, then squat.

3

V-ups - Lie on your back, arms out over head and legs straight out. Be sure to keep your feet and arms from touching the floor—you should be balancing on your tailbone. Lift your legs and arms up towards each other, meeting in the middle. Slowly, and with control, lower to the start position.

4

Burpees - Begin standing up. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground. Extend your feet back in one quick motion, to assume the front plank position. Return to the squat position, quickly explode into a jump and resume to the starting position.

5

Dips - Using a chair, bench or box, slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows, forming a 90-degree gap between the upper and forearm. Tip: Keep your elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Lift yourself back to the starting position using your triceps.

1-2

For More Info: Visit www.bodybyframe.com or call 512-402-2554

4-1

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4-2

Photography by W. Tyler Lackey

2-1

2-2

3-1

3-2 5-1

4-3

5-2

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BEaUTY

Wishing You Healthy Skin, Frizz-Free Hair and a Holiday

Makeover

Primping, protecting and perfecting your skin for the winter season By Kat DelGrande Photography by W. Tyler Lackey “The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently and effectively remove six times more makeup and two times more dirt and oil than traditional cleansing with the hands. Clean skin is the first step toward healthier skin, and the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing system is the first step towards getting there.”

-Serenity Creek; Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System

Meet Kally Martin and Laci Fletcher, Austin MD Magazine’s Beauty Guide experts. From skin products they think are beneficial, to tips on how to defrizz hair and some of the most popular makeup trends for the holidays; follow this makeover as they take us through their skin care process, giving us tips on how to keep our skin healthy and naturally, beautifully glowing during the winter season.

Bronzer Start off with concealer and a creme bronzer, of your choice. Coming in a range of shades, creme bronzer will feel weightless and give you a natural sun kissed look.

LactiCleanse is a foaming cleanser that helps remove excess amounts of surface lipids without drying your face. I know how dry my face gets after I wash it during the winter. This sounds like the perfect solution, especially right before applying makeup.

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Eyeliner Chocolate is the new black.

This is easy to use and apply, and gives a smooth, smokey look across the eye.

Lip Stain This rich, vivid and deep wine lip color is great for the holidays, giving you a sweet and sultry finish.

Blush Brighten your cheekbones with the color that flooded the runways from London to Paris’ Fashion Week.

This poppy blush gives you a fresh and porcelain look.

eyeShaDoW put your shimmery silver and gold away, and opt for this chocolate or gold-peach eyeshadow instead.

start off with applying paul mitchell thermal protection spray to your damp hair. this will protect it from the damage caused by heating hair-styling tools, defrizz and create effortless curls. style your hair with a curling iron for a vibrant, volumized look, and finish your holiday look off with paul mitchell’s Working spray for a long-lasting, durable hold all day or night long!

For More InFo: To book an appointment, or for any questions, call Laci Fletcher at (806) 441-0850 or Kally Martin at (254) 977-4199

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BEaUTY

Cutting-

Edge Treatment Takes Years Off Appearance The CO2 Fractional Laser

By Dr. Shirat Ling Photography by W. Tyler Lackey

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W

hen clients come in for a cosmetic consultation, I am often asked which non-surgical procedure will give them the biggest bang for their buck. I always suggest the CO2 Fractional Laser resurfacing treatment, because this procedure can take years off your appearance, even out skin tone, diminish brown spots and wrinkles, remove pre-cancerous lesions and atone for the sins of sun worshipping in your past. In a matter of minutes, the laser removes small columns of skin, leaving the fresh, glowing, plump skin underneath. The columns allow for collagen to generate where the skin was vaporized. The results are seen after the short down time of three to four days, during which clients normally have the appearance of mildly sunburned skin. The treatment is performed with the aid of a chilling spray that cools the skin to negative 30 degrees, thus making the procedure extremely tolerable.

The cooling spray also prevents damage of surrounding tissue that is not the target for removal.

Recovery time is thus reduced, with no significant swelling or bleeding associated with other procedures like the weaker, less precise Fraxel laser.

The CO2 laser is the most powerful laser created that can vaporize material, be it skin or metal. The technology was developed several decades ago but was initially poorly controlled, so there was a recovery time of months since it removed the entire surface of the face. Then erbium lasers, a weaker but more controllable laser, came into vogue. The concept of fractionating the laser into smaller, more manageable beams came into play shortly after, and fractionated laser emerged. The term “fractional laser” refers to any laser, CO2 or not,

For More Info: Shirat Ling, D.O., with Innate Beauty, personally performs all medical cosmetic procedures in her office on South First St., and has performed more than 7,000 ablative laser treatments. She has been in medical practice for 13 years; 9 of which she has spent performing medical cosmetic procedures. You may schedule a consultation or procedures online anytime at www. innatebeauty.com.

In a matter of minutes, the laser removes small columns of skin, leaving the fresh, glowing,

plump skin underneath Features of the CO2 Fractional Laser: • One to two treatments per year, depending on amount of damage • Three to four days of mildly sunburned appearance • No oozing; minimal aftercare • Tightens heavy upper eyelids • Tightens and improves baggy skin under eyes • Reduces the appearance of lipstick lines • Fills in acne scars • Smoothes and lifts loose neck skin • Tightens and thickens loose skin on the backs of hands • Improves the appearance of stretch marks or keloid scars • Evens out irregular skin tone and texture • Restores a youthful glow

that vaporizes smaller pinpoint areas, instead of large swaths. This leaves healthy skin between to heal the surface while the magic happens below.

The Fraxel was the first and best marketed of these fractional lasers, although it is not well controlled. You can power down a strong laser, though you can’t increase the power of a weak laser. The expected down time with the Fraxel, which has the risk of bleeding and oozing from the face, is about 10 days. Since the damage is more superficial, multiple treatments (each with 10 days of downtime) are required for optimal results with the Fraxel laser.

The three-to-four-day down time of the CO2 laser is manageable and convenient for those with busy schedules. It is significantly more powerful (goes deeper) and much more precise, so it does not burn the surface. Due to this laser reaching so deep, it takes several months for full results to appear at the surface. In addition, radio frequency for skin tightening and collagen production is just one of the added benefits of the CO2 laser. In the months following the treatment, patients look younger as time passes, as their body creates its own collagen to fill lines and improve texture. Clients should plan for a productive weekend indoors, as they will need to apply ointments and follow other aftercare measures every few hours for at least three days.

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BEaUTY

When is Enough Really Enough?

What you need to know about facial cosmetic procedures Special Contribution to Austin MD

H

ave you ever wondered when to begin Botox or getting facial fillers? Do people tell you that you’re too young to start? Or are you over 40, in a panic about looking older and rush into cosmetic surgery? Are you daunted by all the surgical and non-surgical options, lasers and other cosmetic procedures available? How do you know which is the right one for your needs and budget? Most importantly, how do you not end up looking fake, distorted and over-done? Doing too little may not yield the results you want and doing too much may make you look strange.

Balance, knowledge and caution are the key.

As an Image Consultant and Makeover Specialist, I am asked these kinds of questions all the time. For over four years, from 2001 to

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2005, I worked in a highly regarded surgery practice in Beverly Hills, Calif. as a patient care coordinator and consultant, for two very famous cosmetic surgery physicians.

What I have come to realize is there is massive confusion about the difference between injectables, micro-dermabrasions and other exfoliating devices, lasers and surgery. This confusion or lack of knowledge often leads to poor decisions. Every doctor has his or her favorites and their advice may be slanted to which procedures they perform and which lasers they have in their office. Everyone is offering the “holy grail” of youth. So it’s really up to the individual to do their homework and be as honest with themselves, as to where their face is aging and what procedures they should try.

For example, if a woman has leathery skin with a lot of sun damage, a facelift alone will not give her the more youthful, refreshed look she wants. A better idea would be to improve her skin first with active skin care, microderms and lasers. That would lead to long-term improvements.

Dr. Bradley Friedman, a famous Los Angeles injectables doctor, once told me, that in his opinion, rejuvenating the face involves a four-tiered approach. The four steps are: 1. Microdermabrasion, hydrafacials, or silk peels to cleanse, exfoliate and smooth the complexion…in conjunction with skin care that has key active ingredients such as retinoids, glycolic acid and peptides.

2. Lasers intended to remove age spots,

image from Shutterstock

tighten, and even out the skin, either ablative or nonablative.

3. Injectables: Botox or Dysport to reduce dynamic wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, slightly elevate the brows, soften marionette lines under the mouth, elevate downturned corners of the lips and soften the appearance of visible neck muscles (the platysmal bands), etc.

Hyaluronic fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are intended to add volume to undereye tear troughs, rejuvenate the cheeks, fill and smooth the jaw line and basically replace lost fat and volume to the face.

4. Cosmetic Surgery to remove excess skin and lift the muscles of the face and neck.

For most people, cosmetic surgery alone will usually not yield optimal rejuvenation results without the other four steps. If the face has lost volume, then a facelift will tighten the skin, but the patient may be left with a gaunt, pulled look. However, if after a face lift, volumizing fillers are used to plump the hollow areas of the face, a much more natural, beautiful result can be achieved. Plus, every time filler is injected into the face the skin regrows collagen, which over time creates more youthful skin.

In my opinion, all of the restorative cosmetic arts should be aimed at achieving balance and optimal proportion of the face and neck.

Anything that veers too far from your natural face may look strange or distorted. For example, Angelina Jolie’s face looks fabulous with large lips, but many women who try to copy her end up looking fake and out-of-balance.

Large lips can often take away from the size of the eyes, making the eyes look smaller.

The goal of every person should be degrees of improvement; but herein lies the challenge: many people, especially women, start with a little Botox. They look better and get lots of compliments. So next they try fillers. Again, many comments on how great they look.

Well, that was easy, so why not do more? Although fillers can be pricey, they start to feel

If a woman has leathery skin with a lot of

rush into any cosmetic decisions.

4. Fillers often need a touch up after two weeks. The face absorbs fillers unevenly at times. This is totally normal.

5. Honestly assess what areas of your face are aging the most or need the most improvement. Focus on those areas first.

6. Aim to have the nicest complexion you can. That alone will make you look fresher and younger.

7. Replace volume as you age or lose weight, using facial fillers only to restore, not distort, your features. Bring a photo of yourself at a younger age to the doctor so they can see how you used to look. Consider hyaluronic fillers because they are reversible if a mistake is made.

8. If you opt for cosmetic surgery, consult with three board certified physicians, view before and after photos, and meet with patients in person to truly grasp the quality of their work.

9. Don’t try to look twenty years old forever.

The goal is to look fresh, energetic and modern.

10. Carefully follow pre-and post-surgery care for all procedures.

sun damage,

a facelift alone will not give her the more youthful, refreshed look she wants that it’s more than worth the cost to boost their self-esteem. Then many women feel the need to do more and more. They don’t even notice that they are starting to look strange and distorted! What’s worse is they don’t believe their close friends who tell them that they’re doing too much! Their eyes become accustomed to the distortions.

I read a magazine article a while ago about a woman getting so carried away with her cosmetic procedures that she couldn’t see what she had done until confronted with a photo of herself. She was totally shocked!

That moment brought her back to reality fast…and hopefully no permanent damage was done. Remember what happened to Priscilla Presley when a rogue doctor filled her gorgeous face with unapproved silicone? He destroyed her face, and it took years to get it restored even close to normal. Or what about Madonna’s chipmunk cheeks from fillers after a beautiful facelift? She was the laughing stock of Hollywood for a long time. Can you imagine the humiliation she suffered until her face was back to normal proportions? She has so much riding on her appearance.

To help you make wiser decisions, here are my top recommendations for navigating your surgical and non-surgical facial improvements: 1. Document your face with photos every step of the way.

2. Don’t expect perfection! Imperfections are an important part of what makes us unique and human.

3. Start with the least invasive procedures and, after you heal, gauge your results thoughtfully before wanting more. Don’t

Eve Micheals Bio: Eve Michaels, author of Dress Code: Ending Fashion Anarchy, is a motivational speaker and image expert and believes that every American should know what attributes and characteristics make them unique, and how to communicate them through their visual appearance. She has been the expert opinion on The Today Show and Extra and hosts Beauty Boot Camps.

For More Info: Email Eve Michaels at Imagebyeve@gmail, visit their website at www.evemichaels.com or call 310.890.3410

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beAutY

aromatherapY

101

Breathe in, and let relaxation take over By laureN bolaDo

T

his nift y little aromatherapy stress remedy is great, because it’s handy to take with you on the go. You can carry it in your bag, keep it in your desk at work or in your car, and use it whenever you need a time out. We found this awesome recipe on the Easy Aromatherapy Recipes website, www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com.

According to the site, aromatherapy triggers a positive emotional and physical response by stimulating your body’s limbic (emotional) and endocrine (hormonal) systems. For example, when you smell lavender essential oil, its microscopic chemicals immediately trigger you to calm your nervous system and relax your muscles.

inhaLer HoW To Do IT: Pour a teaspoon of coarse sea salt in a very small, dark glass or PET plastic bottle, and add: InGreDIenTS: 10 drops bergamot essential oil 4 drops lavender essential oil 4 drops orange essential oil 1 drop rose geranium essential oil 1 drop ylang ylang or chamomile essential oil HoW To USe IT:

this aromatherapy is stress relief you can take with you

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Take three long, slow and deep breaths of the aroma, followed by a short break, and then take three more deep breaths.

Repeat three times to get some serious aromatherapy stress relief.

image from ShutterStock

Creating Beautiful

smiles Rose Dental Group Welcomes

Erik a Whitehouse DDS Round Rock Locaton

Dr. Erika Whitehouse, who considers herself a sweet-country-girl-turned-Texan, has wanted to be a dentist her entire life - truly. After graduating from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in May, she was elated to finally fulfi ll her dreams, and moved to Austin.

Dr. Whitehouse does the routine

dentistry (fi llings, crowns, cleanings, etc.), but her main interest is in certain endodontic procedures and pediatric patients. She also has experience with Invisalign treatment, which she hopes to begin providing to her patients soon.

Dr. Whitehouse wants to change the lives of as many people as she

can by giving them their smile back, being an ear to listen and providing procedures patients may dread, but ultimately taking away their pain. She looks forward to running a general family practice by treating patients as family and hoping they become just that as she gets to know them throughout the years.

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MEDICAL

Holiday Stress

Complicated by an Eating Disorder?

Helpful tips for individuals, family members, friends and loved-ones.

Special Contribution to Austin MD by Cedar Springs Austin

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image from Shutterstock

F

or many, the thought of family gatherings, holiday feasts, school plays and pumpkinspice lattes generate feelings of warmth and excitement as the winter holiday season approaches. However, those same images, which initially bring sentiments of joy and hope, may give way to a couple of not-sowelcome guests: stress and anxiety.

Imagine what it might be like for an individual struggling with an eating disorder. From late October through early January, seemingly every festivity involves copious amounts of food. In fact, some say the winter holidays are synonymous with food and eating. So how, with the typical onslaught of holiday stress, does an individual with an eating disorder manage, let alone experience, peace and joy during these months? The following are a few adaptive strategies for navigating the holidays for individuals struggling with an eating disorder, as well as some helpful hints for their family, friends and loved-ones.

[For the Individual:] Although it may seem like it now, you are not alone, and one of the most critical steps toward treatment and recovery will be reaching out to a trusted friend, family member or professional adept in treating eating disorders. Additionally, it is important to know some of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders. If you or someone you know experiences an intense fear of gaining weight, has lost a substantial amount of weight (self-induced), feels a lack of control over eating, is preoccupied with body image or exercises excessively, there may be cause for concern. Please refer to the websites at the end of the article for information regarding local and national support for eating disorders.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, the acro-

nym [PEACE] may be helpful during the process of acknowledging an eating disorder or if you are just experiencing some typical holiday stress and anxiety: [P]lease reach out: open up to someone you trust and seek help.

[E]ngage your senses and become mindfully present. Research indicates that certain mindfulness meditations, which utilize one or more of the senses, may minimize psychological distress and increase immune function.

Example: Give yourself a two- minute handmassage. Bring your attention to the smell of the lotion or the sensation of rubbing your palms together. Become aware of the present moment and observe any physical sensations without judgment. If your mind wanders, gently ease back into the moment and simply acknowledge the process.

[A]ccept without judgment your flaws, and

notice a friend or loved-one frequently disappearing after meals, eating significantly less at meals or rapidly losing weight, there may be cause for concern. If you suspect someone you love and care about is experiencing an eating disorder, it is important to refrain from shaming or using accusatory language. Instead, seek to ask questions such as, “How can I support you?” Encourage open communication in an unconditional and non-judgmental atmosphere, learn as much as you can about eating disorders, and above all, have patience.

The holiday season may prove to be particularly challenging for you and your loved-one, given the presence of food and the constant expectation to eat. It is important to avoid comments like, “Just eat,” or, “Don’t you understand what you are doing to your body?” Such comments tend to generate fear and frustration, and are unlikely to promote open communication or helpseeking behaviors.

Hear and validate the fears and concerns of your loved-one, as it’s often the anticipation of rejection or invalidation that may ultimately increase the desire for isolation or detachment.

Finally, let us all remember that which makes the winter holiday season so precious. Take a deep breath and become present in your body.

Observe and describe your surroundings— hear the sounds, smell the air, acknowledge and rejoice in the positive events of your life; and remember, ‘tis the season to be jolly.

If you or someone you know needs help, there are several local and national resources. For a comprehensive listing please visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or www. austineds.com. In addition, you can call the National Eating Disorders Association at (800) 931.2237.

The holiday season may prove to be particularly challenging for you and your loved-one, given the presence of food and the constant expectation to eat especially your strengths. Example: Yes, I am a procrastinator; however, I am a really great friend.

[C]hallenge negative thought distortions by finding exceptions. Example: I am imperfect therefore I am unlovable. Versus my parents love me, therefore {I am} lovable.

[E]njoy life and live wholeheartedly. Bring a focus to the positive events of your day, while decreasing the focus on negative and unhappy experiences.

[For family, friends and loved-ones:] Because behaviors are often secretive or carried out in private, one of the greatest challenges may be recognizing an eating disorder. If you

For More Info: If you would like more information about eating disorders or to schedule an assessment at no cost, please visit cedarspringsaustin.com, call 512.732.2400 or 877.755.2244 to speak with a member of the Cedar Springs Austin staff.

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MEDICAL

Dr. John Potter Dr. John Potter received his Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and studied dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania. He continued to advance his skill set with a particular focus on esthetic dentistry, because he enjoys helping patients achieve a healthy smile that they are happy and confident to let the world see.

We provide comprehensive oral health care at Rose Dental. In addition to routine cleanings and checkups, we offer an extensive range of restorative dentistry. We like to take care of all of our patient’s oral health needs, saving them from having to see specialists in other locations. We’ve recently added Invisalign to extend this vision, allowing our patients to undergo orthodontic treatment in our office.

What sets my team apart is the ability to provide oral health care in a professional manner without the intimidation and fear that often go along with a visit to a doctor’s office. In other words, we don’t believe that a dental experience needs to be something that is dreaded.

We belong to a great community and we believe in giving back to it. We routinely do volunteer service both as an office as well as individually. One of my favorite days of the year is our Dentist With A Heart, which is when we provide free dental care to less fortunate people who have acute dental needs.

For more info: Rose Dental Group’s central location is at 11615 Angus Rd. Suite #210 Austin, Texas 78759. To make an appointment, call (512) 795-9643 or visit www.rosedental.net.

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What’s Special Rose Dental Group gives you the 411 on veneers Special Contribution to Austin MD by Rose Dental

Dr. Potter: One of the most rewarding aspects of our profession is the ability to provide someone with a smile that they are happy to show off. For some, this entails restoring broken, discolored or decayed teeth. What is often the case, however, is that most people are simply not born with a smile that they are fond of. In these cases, we have to devise and implement an individualized plan that allows us to create the perfect smile for these patients.

A smile is a magical thing. Although smiling takes little effort, the process of creating it can be extremely complex. Implants, crowns, orthodontia and veneers are just some of the methods we employ to create beautiful smiles.

Although there is no universal fix - no dental panacea in creating the perfect smile, I would like to expand more on veneers. They are a very common form of dental treatment, but they are also commonly misunderstood. Simply put, they are thin pieces of porcelain that lie over the front of the tooth, wrapping slightly around to the back.

Whereas crowns, or caps, cover the entire tooth.

Veneers usually require minimal removal of enamel to provide for the placement.

With proper case selection, veneers can provide wonderful results. It is my opinion, however, that they are done too often in cases where other options are more preferable. Our front teeth serve many functions throughout the day and even more so for people with parafunctional habits.

These include, but are not limited to; clenching, grinding and biting one’s fingernails. When a patient presents any possible complications it is often better to opt for full-coverage crowns. Although they require more work, they can provide a more durable and beautiful smile.

Orthodontics and surgical options are also available, but many people don’t want to undergo the lengthier and more invasive treatment. Fortunately, most individuals are able to get a wonderful smile with only two visits to the dentist.

Veneers and crowns suite this goal very well, and they can provide the patient and the dentist with amazing results.

doctors Photos by W. Tyler Lackey, teeth image from Shutterstock

Dr. Kathy Raesz

about veneers?

DR. Raesz: Dental Veneers are thin coverings of porcelain that are placed over your teeth to improve their color, shape or to close spaces to improve aesthetics. Porcelain veneers are beautiful restorations but generally require some alteration to your natural teeth. Over the years, they can wear, crack or chip, resulting in replacement. Many factors can determine how long veneers will last, including the patient’s age, habits and original defects being treated as well. Consulting with your dentist is the most important aspect of the procedure, to ensure

that you are informed of the expected cosmetic outcomes. Once this step is accomplished, veneers can be the way to a beautiful new smile.

In my opinion, the major drawback to veneers is that the natural tooth must first be altered. Therefore, the procedure is non-reversible. Also, if the patient is very young, it’s not a good plan to remove most of the natural tooth. If the defects to the tooth are minor, there are alternative ways to restore these defects. Because veneers are bonded on, they can come unbonded, break or crack, which would mean having to get them replaced.

veneers are a common dental treatment but also commonly misunderstood

For Dr. Potter call: anGus RoaD location 512-795-9643

For Dr. Raesz call: RounD RocK location: 512-310-9374

For my undergraduate work I attended the University of Texas in Austin. I graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio in 1979. While I practice all aspects of general dentistry, I have a special interest in removable prosthetics, and have completed additional training in this field, including implant restoration. At Rose Dental we have beautiful modern facilities, friendly, helpful staff members and state of the art equipment including; digital x-rays, computer aids, lasers and scanning equipment for making crowns and bridges.

What I believe sets us apart is my CARE team. They are conscientious, accomplished, remarkable and experienced. The time is highly trained with 5 of the 7 members having worked for Rose Dental for more than 10 years. This knowledge and skill level, combined with each team member’s ability to empathize with the patients leads to a truly exceptional dental visit for the patient. We strive to bring individualized, caring treatment in as gentle a way as possible to all of our dental patients. We believe in treating our patients as family, and this contributes to our patients receiving the best possible CARE. We take pride in the fact that our patients often comment on how well we work together, and the fact that our patients refer their family and friends to us.

I have volunteered with the local Meals on Wheels program, and volunteered in my church for community programs and have also aided local cycling events, as I am an avid cyclist.

Over the years, I have participated with the Adopt a Family Program and Dentists with a Heart, that Rose Dental has been a part of.

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MeDicAl

a ruNdoWN oN THe aFFordaBle

Care aCT

Understanding Obamacare

T

he Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is now underway; however, the health care law is still largely misunderstood. If you already have health insurance not much will change. But, if you are among the 48 million Americans who do not have health insurance, this guide is intended to help you, the consumer, better understand how The Affordable Care Act works.

We spoke with Mimi Garcia, the State Director for Enroll America in Texas, about The Affordable Care Act, and why people should start signing up for health insurance.

tHe neW coveRaGe Rules If you have health insurance nothing will change. If you do not have health insurance you can shop for a plan that works for you on the online Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the “exchange.”

The exchange is a new way Americans can look up the available options and compare prices and plans side-by-side, and then they

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can shop for health insurance coverage that is set up in their state. In Texas, you can apply for your new health insurance through the marketplace, HealthCare.gov, by phone, on paper or in-person. Experts are available to answer your questions and offer honest, non-biased guidance about selecting the best health insurance plan for you.

These plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions and preventive care.

HealthCare.gov creates a place for you to see all of these plans at once. “When people who are uninsured end up utilizing the healthcare system and cannot pay for it, that gets taxed off onto other consumers in the form of higher property taxes or higher health insurance premiums,” she says. “We really need to have everyone get covered, because that will help keep the costs down for everybody.”

The Health Insurance Marketplace will tell you whether you qualify for lower costs based on your household size and income.

If you don’t qualify for lower costs, you can still use the marketplace to buy insurance at

By biaNca moraGNe

the standard price. “It doesn’t matter if you’re uninsured, your employer doesn’t cover it or you are self-employed. If you didn’t have health insurance you would go to the marketplace, fill out the application and find out what you’re eligible for, in terms of a subsidy or tax credit, to help pay for your health insurance,” Garcia says. “There is financial help out there, and even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy or a tax credit, to help pay for your coverage, we are actually finding that the cost of a lot of the plans are lower than private market and the plans that have been out there before.

There are some people who have health insurance through their employer but have actually found a better deal on the marketplace that covers the things they need…so everybody should take a look.”

pRe-eXistinG conDitions coveRaGe The biggest change for consumers is that health insurance gives coverage to adults with pre-existing conditions. Before The Affordable

imageS from ShutterStock

By the end of 2014, if uncovered you could be liable for a tax penalty

Organizations that can help you get through the process Enroll America is a nonpartisan organization that does not enroll people in healthcare; rather, it points individuals in the right direction.

Their mission is to maximize the number of Americans who enroll in health coverage by collaborating with partners that aid in easing the enrollment process—hospitals, philanthropies, health insurers and more. Here, in Austin, counselors with Foundations Community or Community Care are available to help enroll people in healthcare.

Care Act, if you were ill and suffered from a pre-existing condition, insurance companies could refuse to cover you or raise your rates.

Now, no insurer is able to turn you down or charge you more if you have a health problem.

In fact, your insurance cost can even go down.

Children with pre-existing conditions are already covered—that part of The Affordable Care Act went into effect in September 2010.

Medicaid The United States is evenly split between 25 states that are offering Medicaid extensions and 25 states that are not. Texas decided to not expand Medicaid. This means that the lowest income residents in Texas, and in the other states that have rejected expanding Medicaid, who live under 100 percent of the federal poverty rate for an individual, which is $11,500 a year, don’t have new options available to them.

There is still a ray of hope for low income families, because the federal government covers 90-to-100 percent of the cost of new enrollees. Most states will eventually sign on to expand Medicaid, now that states can use federal money to buy private insurance for their Medicaid enrollees.

If you’re over 65 and eligible for Medicaid, currently on Medicaid or have Medicaid through a disability, then nothing will change.

The Enrollment Period Open enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace began on October 1, 2013 and lasts until March 31, 2014. If you want your

Obamacare

is now underway; however the health care law is still largely misunderstood new health insurance to begin January 1, 2014 you need to have your application in by December 15, 2013. If you enroll after December 15, 2013 the plan will start two weeks from your enrollment date.

After March 31, 2014 you will have to wait for the next enrollment period to begin, which isn’t until October 2014. The only way you will be able to enroll in coverage after this date is if a change occurred in your insurance status. “Say you had health insurance from your previous employer, but you decided to change jobs. Now you don’t have health insurance through your new employer, and it’s June 2014.

This example would be a qualifying event in your life that changes your health insurance status and allows you to shop for coverage,” Garcia says. “Outside of those circumstances, you won’t have an opportunity to enroll again until the next open enrollment schedule.”

Penalties By the end of 2014, if you haven’t had health insurance for a full year you will be liable for a tax penalty. For the first year you will have to pay a penalty of $95 per adult, $47.50 per child

or 1% of your income (whichever is higher); the fee increases every year. You are considered covered if you have Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, job-based plans, any plan you got yourself, COBRA, retiree coverage, TRICARE, VA health coverage or some other kind of health coverage.

Some individuals may qualify for an exemption from this penalty: ⓪⓪ If you already have health insurance ⓪⓪ If there wasn’t an affordable option available to you ⓪⓪ If you are living below 100% of the federal poverty level in states that did not expand Medicaid

“The reason behind this is we really want people to get coverage and not wait until they are sick, but to have it now and stay healthy,” Garcia says. “One of the most important things for people to know is that all health insurance plans that you look at and purchase in the marketplace have to provide coverage or the kinds of care that you need. It covers things like hospital visits, doctor visits, prescription drugs and maternity care. A lot of these things have been really hard to find in individual health plans before.”

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MEDICAL

Cold Weather Safety Tips Staying warm during the winter season

technically, it’s tips for both the parents and kids

Special Contribution to Austin MD

by Scott & White Healthcare

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, everyone seems to be in a hurry.

Young minds may be distracted with visions of Santa and presents, but always be aware of the dangers that surround your children!

• Remind children to slow down and be careful in parking lots and while crossing the street. Motorists are often distracted too.

• Check that car safety seats are properly installed. If you move the car seat, make sure it’s secure.

• Be aware of the dangers around shopping carts. Many children are injured each year by falling from them.

• Make sure toys are age appropriate.

Small parts and batteries might be swallowed, which can be dangerous.

Include any safety equipment.

Remember, kids on wheels need helmets.

• Be vigilant about water safety. An open pool gate is an invitation!

• Holiday decorations may be painted or colored with paints and inks made with lead. Keep them out of reach of young children, who may put them in their mouths.

• Alcohol, in all forms, may be in your home during the holidays. As little as one half-ounce of rum can cause serious injury or death to small children. Remember that flavoring extracts used in baking may contain alcohol and should be stored out of reach of children.

• Holiday visitors often bring medications and vitamins into your home, in purses and suitcases. Be sure these items are stored out of reach from children.

• Post the Poison Helpline number on your phones and your refrigerator door: 1-800-222-1222.

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E

veryone knows about the dangers of winter, such as broken bones from falls on ice, car wrecks from slick roads and breathing problems caused by cold air. However, exposure to cold weather temperatures also poses a risk for senior citizens. The winter chill can lower the temperature inside your body. This drop in body temperature, called hypothermia (hi-po-ther-mee-uh), can be deadly if not treated quickly and properly.

How to tell if someone has hypothermia This can be tricky. Some people may not want to complain. Some people may not even be aware of how cold it is or how chilled they have become. For some, just a short time in a cold room will cause hypothermia.

Watch for: ⓪⓪ Confusion or sleepiness ⓪⓪ Slowed or slurred speech, mumbling ⓪⓪ Shallow breathing ⓪⓪ Weak pulse or low blood pressure ⓪⓪ Chilly rooms or other signs that they have been in a cold place ⓪⓪ Stiffness in arms and legs ⓪⓪ Stumbling, fumbling ⓪⓪ Unusual behavior – grumpiness, refusal to take fluids

What to do if someone has hypothermia If you think someone could have hypothermia, take his or her temperature. If the temperature doesn’t rise above 96° F, call for emergency help. The person must see a doctor.

While you are waiting for help to arrive, keep the person warm and dry. Move him or her to a warmer place, if possible.

Wrap the person in blankets, towels, coats — whatever is handy. Even your own body warmth will help.

How to avoid getting cold All of us are at risk for becoming cold, but there are some things that put us at greater risk as we age. Changes that come with aging can make it harder to feel when you are getting cold. It may also be harder for your body to warm itself. ⓪⓪ Make sure you not only eat enough food to keep up your weight but also nutritional food. If you don’t eat well, you might have less fat under your skin, which can protect your body by trapping heat within.

images from Shutterstock

⓪⓪ Layer clothes, cover with a blanket when sitting still and/or wear a hat and gloves. Tight clothing can keep your blood from flowing freely, which can cause loss of body heat. ⓪⓪ See your doctor to keep any illnesses under control. Some illnesses may make it harder for your body to stay warm; these include diabetes, psoriasis and low thyroid levels. ⓪⓪ Ask your doctor how the medicines you are taking affect body heat. Some medicines, both prescription and overthe-counter, can increase the risk of accidental hypothermia. ⓪⓪ Avoid alcoholic drinks. They can make you lose body heat faster.

Staying warm inside

You are probably already aware that staying warm while you are outside takes special care, but you may not realize that people can get cold inside buildings too. Homes that are not heated enough can lead to illness. If you live alone, you may not realize that the house is chilly. Set your thermostat to at least 68° to 70° F. If a power outage leaves you without heat, stay with a relative or friend, or go to a community center. ⓪⓪ Using space heaters as a heating source means you have to be aware of the dangers. They can be a fire hazard and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. ⓪⓪ Make sure your space heater has been approved by a recognized testing laboratory. ⓪⓪ Choose the right size heater for the space you are heating. ⓪⓪ Keep substances that can catch fire like clothing, towels, curtains and papers away from the heating element. ⓪⓪ Keep the door to the rest of the house open for good air flow.

For some,

just a short time in a cold room will cause hypothermia For More Info: Visit Scott & White Healthcare at www. sw.org or call 254.724.2111

⓪⓪ Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to bed. ⓪⓪ Make sure your smoke alarms are working. ⓪⓪ Put a carbon monoxide detector near where people sleep.

Staying warm outside You lose more body heat on a windy day than a calm one. Weather forecasters call this the wind-chill factor. They often suggest, even when the outside temperature itself is not very low, that the wind-chill factor is cold enough for people to stay indoors. If you must go out, dress correctly. Be sure to wear warm clothes, a hat and gloves.

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MEDICAL

Keeping Cool this Yule When ADHD gets the blood boiling Special Contribution to Austin MD by Dr. Phyllis Books

T

he idea of a family serenely sipping hot chocolate around the fireplace during the holiday season, feeling all cozy and unbothered with the cares of the world, sounds pretty idyllic.

If you are ADHD, or you are the parent of ADHD children, feeling calm amid the chaos is a daily challenge, not just during holidays.

You may be questioning if there will ever be “peace on earth” in your house. The idea of enjoying each other’s company without constant interruptions or emotional eruptions, or just having the luxury of completing your own thought process, seems like a luxury.

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Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dr. Phyllis Books, and I’ve been working with ADHD individuals and families for almost thirty years. I’ve counseled families who deal with attention and focus issues, temper tantrums, meltdowns, learning and behavior challenges on a daily basis.

What makes holiday time more challenging?

Holidays mean more time away from the structure of school, more time with extended family and friends, less routine…and lots more sugar. It probably means going to bed late, sleeping in, eating different kinds of

foods, going to parties, having sleep overs, visits from people you really like and obligatory visits from people you don’t especially enjoy being around.

How does lack of routine affect kids?

Our brains and our bodies thrive on knowing when to expect a certain activity. It creates a structure, and freedom comes from feeling secure: knowing where the boundaries are.

Food is one area where routines are disrupted during the holidays. Eating at the same time means the digestive juices start

images from Shutterstock

releasing at prescribed times. Because of the routine, digestion is enhanced.

So when we attend all the holiday parties at work, and our kids attend parties at school, we end up eating at times when our stomach is not prepared to digest food. So heartburn, drowsiness and mood swings accompany the partying. The food itself tasted great. What isn’t so great, however, is how you feel afterwards.

It’s hard not to consume extra sugar during the holidays. Our brains also crave a certain amount of sugar to run efficiently. However, this does not mean white table sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Exercise is another area that is off balance during holidays. We have a tendency to sleep in, skip the usual exercise regime and eat at odd times, which seems like a fine idea at the time. After all, “we’re on vacation.” Kids end up with a lot more screen time via television, video games, iPads, etc. However, then we have to deal with out-of-control emotions, waistlines expanding and feeling groggy. The truth is that our bodies thrive on movement. A simple rule of thumb is: Move every joint in your body every day. Whether you do that at the gym, on your bike or playing, doesn’t matter. It just matters that you move every part of your body.

How to keep the Thanks in Thanksgiving and December holidays?

Here are some ideas of ways you can keep balance and fun in the holiday equation for your family: Eat less sugar: One of the most important things you can do to assure a happy holiday season is to monitor sugar closely.

Sugar is addictive, and some very unpleasant behavior can run rampant when kids move through sugar highs and sugar blues.

Our brains and our bodies thrive on knowing when to expect a

certain activity For more info: Visit Dr. Phyllis Books office, Books Family Health Center, located at 13740 U.S. 183 M-1, Austin, TX 78750 or call (512) 331-0668 to book an appointment. Dr. Books also offers professional training courses, learn more about upcoming classes at http://www.drphyllisbooks.com/upcoming-classes/

Have you seen the differences in yourself when you have consumed way too many of those yummy cookies and snack foods?

Does your energy level rise and then plummet? Does your ability to think straight also rise and then plummet? It’s hard to make good decisions when your brain is getting too much energy and then not enough.

Have high quality snack foods available, such as veggie trays, hummus, trail mix and gluten-free cookies.

Also, drink lots of water.

Exercise more: Children with a lot of energy need outlets…or pandemonium will break loose.

Have a list of ten physical activities for the kids to do… and have them do at least 3-4 each day. Rewards in the form of other activities come after exercise.

Clean and organize: Use some of that pent up energy to clean out old toys, closets or the garage.

Relax: Take the time to slow down.

Schedule “down-time” with no scheduled activities! Kids and adults have way too much going on most of the time. Having unstructured time to imagine and play is therapeutic.

Gratitude and laughter: Start each meal by voicing at least three things you are grateful for. When kids get grumpy, as soon as possible, try to find good in the situation, put a positive spin on it or work through finding out how it can be handled differently next time.

Laughter is great medicine: Watch funny movies and play family board games. Tell your children about mistakes you have made and be able to laugh about them.

That kind of permission to make mistakes and still feel good is important for our sense of well being.

Holidays are for making memories, and making fun and healthy holiday rituals help create wonderful memories.

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MeDicAl

What to do when you’ve got the flu special contriBution to austin Md By kvue

F

all is here, which means that flu season is here too. From wives tales to home remedies, we thought it a good time to highlight what doctors say are a few of the most common myths about the flu vaccine.

At Austin’s hike and bike trails, where people come to walk, run, ride and exercise their way to better health, we gave people a pop quiz on the flu vaccine. Here are some answers we received:

can tHe flu vaccine Give you tHe flu?

“I’d say that’s probably true,” says Trent Guerra, an Austin resident.

“Th is is a common misconception,” says Albert Gros, M.D., the Chief Medical Officer at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center.

“The flu vaccine is made with inactivated viruses, specifically treated to avoid the chance of giving you the flu.”

“I’ve gotten the flu vaccine, and I’ve gotten sick hours later,” said Michael McNeilly, an Austin resident. “I guess I was coming down with it, or I was just unlucky.”

“Unfortunately, it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to fully take effect,” says Gros. “What can happen is, people can be exposed to a common cold, or indeed the flu, and come down with it during that time the vaccine hasn’t taken effect.”

Do HealtHy people neeD to Get a flu vaccine?

“They don’t,” says Bertha Mendez, an Austin resident.

“Your bodies have immune systems that will pre-

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don’t fall for the

Flu season mYths Jim Bergamo kVue anchor and health rePorter

Over the past 30 years, Jim Bergamo has split his journalistic career between news and sports.

Bergamo, who says there’s nothing more beautiful than burnt-orange Austin sunset, has been with KVUE since 2006. KVUE, which is the city’s ABC station, is home to Bergamo and co-host Quita Culpepper’s 5 pm broadcast, which is the toprated 5 pm program, according to the latest Nielson ratings.

For More InFo: Catch on KVUE’s 5 pm broadcast and follow him on Twitter: @JimB_KVUE

If you get a flu shot it will lessen the likelihood you will be miserable for 10-14 days

vent you from getting the f lu.”

“Again, this is not true for a couple of reasons,” says Gros. “First, if you get a flu shot it will lessen the likelihood that you’ll be miserable for 10-14 days. Secondly, it will help keep you from passing the flu virus to someone else.”

can you catcH tHe flu fRom colD WeatHeR? “No, that’s false,” says McNeilly. “[You can get it] only through human contact, touching your face or not washing your hands; stuff like that.”

DoctoRs say tHat is tHe coRRect ansWeR. “The reason cold weather is usually associated with upper respiratory infections is because we typically spend more time indoors,” says Gros. “Th is is the time of year when these upper respiratory infections are around, so it’s easier to contract them when you’re in confi ned quarters with someone who is coughing and sneezing.”

Dr. gros says There are TWo oTher CoMMon FLu MyThs: Once you get the flu, there’s no treatment options. Anti-viral remedies like Tamiflu can actually shorten the duration, according to Gros.

Secondly, many believe there’s no point in getting a flu shot after December.

Gros says flu season can often extend into March, so you should still get the vaccine.

imageS from ShutterStock

H E L P I N G Y O U R B U S I N E S S M A K E I T S M A R K.

W W W. R A N C H R OA D . C O M

GIVE US A CALL: 512 719 9999

MeDicAl

CoLD or aLLergy?

Know the difference

By Dr. amiN mery

Dr. Amin Mery Dr. Amin Mery, a Texas native, is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology as well as the American Board of Internal Medicine, and he is a member of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

For More InFo: Contact Dr. Amin Mery, with Hill Country Allergy & Asthma, at www.hillcountryallergy.com or call 512-610-3110

d

ue to fall and winter being prime times for stuff y noses, sore throats and watery/itchy eyes, it’s often difficult to differentiate between a cold and an allergy. If your symptoms last more than seven to ten days, seem to turn off and on based on your surroundings or recur every fall or spring, you may be battling allergies or sinusitis. Proper diagnosis will help guide therapy and can lead to a more rapid recov-

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ery time and less misery. Colds are caused by a virus, whereas allergies are caused by exposure to allergens. Colds and allergies can both lead to sinusitis, which occurs when the sinuses become swollen and block mucous from draining, leading to painful pressure and infection. If you have allergies and/or asthma, you are more likely to develop sinusitis, because your nasal and sinus tissue can become swollen when you breathe in triggers like dust, pollen or smoke.

Most cases of sinusitis (98 percent) are due to viruses and/or allergic triggers and resolve without antibiotics in about two weeks. Symptomatic care with decongestants, nasal sprays, hot packs, humidifiers or salt water rinses may ease symptoms. For people with allergies, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of sinusitis. Your allergist/immunologist may recommend long-term treatments such as allergy shots, medication to control inflammation and avoidance of allergy triggers.

image from ShutterStock

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Adult partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs

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Outpatient psychotherapy and nutrition counseling services

Comprehensive treatment for females and males

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4613 Bee Caves Road, Suite 104 • Austin, Texas 78746 Toll Free 877.755.2244 Telephone 512.732.2400

cedarspringsaustin.com

MEDICAL

An ER Doc’s

tips

to Accident Prone Accident Prone? Ways to avoid the ER this holiday season Special Contribution to Austin MD Special Contribution by Austin Emergency Center

“Hey, let’s go to Aunt Ruth’s house for lunch. The whole family will be there!”

This is the way things go every Christmas. Jill shows up with her six kids, between three and 10 years of age. I’ll bring my toddler, and all the sisters bring their kids as well.

We celebrate like the big family we were. There’s only one problem—all of the children are different ages.

We adults have our hands full with cooking. And no one is paying attention to the kids!

The Christmas tree is covered in interesting lights and decorations, while all kinds of toys lay strewn on the ground.

So forget about this toy or that toy being only for children over the age of three. The 6-year-old is going to open up the Legos Mars Rover toy and the 2-year-old is going to put it in their mouth!

So, what do you do?

The holidays are always tough— usually controlled chaos, which can be lots of fun but full of misadventure.

In order to avoid a visit to the ER for one of your loved ones, or yourself, here are some simple recommendations: It is not always possible to keep the kids from sharing their newfound toys. The one thing we can do

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is to keep a close eye on our progeny.

The decorations on a Christmas tree are easy to reach and are often swallowed or inhaled by children who are exploring their world with their mouths. One trick that helps is to put the christmas tree in the playpen. It may look a little funny, but that gives great freedom to the pets and the children. Children would have to be big enough to get over the edges of the playpen to even get to the tree, which eliminates quite a bit of risk.

Putting toys under the tree like that might, however, be too tempting.

Always keep an eye on the kids.

That is the most important intervention. Things happen quickly.

Making sure that your house and the area around it is free of hazard can be helpful. Child-proofing your home, with the older child in mind, may be necessary. You can’t prevent the kids from wandering out during the celebration and playing outside. Make sure the areas around the home are well lit and that adequate adult supervision is available at all times.

Alcohol is always a problem with celebrations. Be sure to always have a designated driver. That is selfevident. However, something folks don’t think about is the alcohol left over, sitting on the table when the adults get up to play cards or discuss

Things happen quickly always keep an eye on your kids

images from Shutterstock

Always keep an eye on the kids.

That is the most

important intervention

football. The leftover drinks can look tasty to young eyes, but alcohol is very dangerous for children and can cause a sudden drop in their blood sugar and severe intoxication. Clean up the leftovers on the dining room table as soon as possible to avoid unfortunate poisonings.

Be mindful around electrical displays. If you are putting up lights and decorations, make sure that the wiring is safe and not so old that it will cause shorts and potential fires.

Keep plenty of water in the tree stand if you have a Christmas tree, and if you’re not sure how to set up a display, have a professional do it.

Routine medical problems tend to take a back seat during the holiday season. Make sure you have adequate medicines to last through the holidays. The doctor’s office may be closed during the holidays, so if you are not prepared, you could run out of medicine and not be able to get a refill right away.

Dietary indiscretions are more likely to occur during the holidays.

The aunt with high blood pressure will eat too much salt, because that stuffing is just too good to pass up.

Your diabetic 10-year-old cousin may be magnetically attracted to that blueberry cheese cake. Someone with an allergy to peanuts will not notice that the sauce on their turkey has just enough to require an Epipen. Some of these holiday treats can cause serious problems, or at the very least complications with routine-sensible lifestyle choices.

I hope that this run down of potential holiday concerns does not dampen your holiday spirits. Hopefully, it will help you keep your spirits high during the festivities by reinforcing mindfulness.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just the return of Charlie Brown’s Christmas, I hope these tips are helpful for you and your family. Although you may need to wait until New Years to make your resolutions, you can begin resolving now to have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Patricia Rosen, MD, MPH Dr. Rosen has provided many years of service to the community, including serving as the medical director of the Central Texas PoisonCenter from 1992 to 1997. She received her Masters in Public Health from Tulane University of Public Health and her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio.

She is board certified in Medical Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine. She has worked in emergency medicine for more than 30 years and continues to work in busy emergency departments as well as continuing to provide consultation in toxicology in private practice.

In her spare time Dr. Rosen is an accomplished triathlete, a sport that she began at age 48. She believes that adopting habits of healthy living can delay the onset of illness and improve the quality of life. “The correct mixture of proper diet, exercise and stress management will give you what you need to live not only a long life but a healthy life.”

For more info: contact Austin Emergency Center at:http://www.austiner.com/ FAR WEST 3563 Far West Blvd., Suite 110 Austin, TX 78731 (512) 481-2321

South Lamar 4015 South Lamar Blvd.

Austin TX 78704 (512) 774-5780

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MEDICAL

What To Do About Missing

Teeth?

Moossy Dental offers advice on what to do for missing teeth By Dr. Michael Moossy

How do people lose permanent teeth?

Some adults have what is called “congenitally missing teeth”. This is a common occurrence where their adult teeth never come in. Often times it’s the wisdom teeth, lateral incisors or second premolars/bicuspids that never come in. Another common cause for tooth loss is tooth structure breaking down.

Some causes that could lead to missing teeth include: ⓪⓪ Decay – If a cavity is left untreated long enough it will break down the tooth, which can lead to the loss of that tooth. ⓪⓪ Erosion – This can occur when acids wear away at the enamel. Certain causes include Acid Reflux, Bulimia, ingesting certain foods /drinks with high acidity or high sugar content or dry mouth. Often times medications lead to less saliva, which neutralizes natu-

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rally-occurring acids. Grinding your teeth (Bruxism) can lead to worn-down enamel as well. ⓪⓪ Older, Failing Restorations – That crown or filling you got 30-plus years ago isn’t going to last forever. Eventually the material breaks down, causing cracks or leaks that allow decay to set in and spread fairly quickly underneath the restoration. Also, physical damage /wear can cause failure to the restorations. Even normal chewing forces are quite large and over-time can wear down fillings, because nothing is as strong as your natural tooth structure. ⓪⓪ A Cracked Tooth - Possibly from eating that favorite peanut brittle! You never know when that next bite could be your last… ⓪⓪ Trauma – A severe blow to a tooth, from something such as a sports injury or car accident, can weaken it and lead to extraction. It doesn’t have to be immediate, either. The nerve can die over time, resulting in the need to remove the tooth.

⓪⓪ Gum disease (Periodontitis) – It’s among the most common diseases in the world and therefore is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The gum tissue that surrounds the teeth can become infected and form pockets where bacteria thrives, eventually destroying the bone supporting your teeth. If not treated early enough, teeth may be lost.

Why is it important to replace missing teeth?

Well, there is the obvious factor of wanting an aesthetically-pleasing smile that you aren’t embarrassed or ashamed of. Being toothless can often lead to low self-esteem, impacted social lives or depression. More importantly, your bite could be “off,” which will affect chewing function. No more steak? No way!

Other consequences of missing teeth include pain in the facial muscles or jaw, tilting of adjacent teeth into the space vacated by a missing tooth or supraeruption of the opposing tooth into the space (this would be the top tooth drift-

image from Shutterstock

For More Info: Contact Dr. Michael Moossy, DDS at Moossy Dental, located at 4200 N Lamar Blvd. Ste 145. To make an appointment call 512.459.5437 or visit www.drmoossy.com.

Dr. Michael Moossy DDS General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Moossy is a native Texan who received his undergraduate degree at St. Edwards University in Austin. He has since gone on to attain his DDS at University of Texas dental branch in Houston. Dr. Moossy currently maintains a private practice in Austin and has been in practice for 14 years. He is also a member of the ADA, AGD, TDA, and CADS.

There are several available options for replacing

missing teeth

ing down, as there isn’t anything below to stop it from doing so). Missing teeth are also food traps, which can cause further decay and gum disease to the surrounding teeth, potentially leading to the loss of additional teeth. Please note that not all missing teeth need to be replaced. Wisdom teeth or those in the very back may be best left untreated. Please consult with your dentist for the best option with your particular case.

What are my tooth replacement options?

There are several available options for replacing missing teeth, which depend on a number of factors such as gum health, remaining dentition and bone levels. Also, cost can be a reason for choosing one option over another.

The main treatment possibilities are:

⓪⓪ Dentures– These are removable appliances that are either partial (where some teeth remain) or complete dentures. Because they are removable, they tend to move and therefore can be uncomfortable or irritating, making this the least favorable but more affordable option. There is also a procedure known as All-On-Four, which is an implant-supported denture that is an ideal option for edentulous patients (those without any teeth or needing them all removed). This is a non-removable device that consists of a complete denture, replacing 12-14 teeth, which are screw-retained by four implants (see more about implants below).

⓪⓪ Implants – This is the latest and greatest restorative option for replacing missing teeth but often times the most costly. It is, however, the most natural replacement in terms of how they are anchored, look and feel in the mouth, and they can last an extremely long time. Implants are synthetic structures that are typically made of titanium. They are placed in the area once occupied by the root of the tooth and then secured into the jaw bone. Implants then act as a foundation for a crown to be “screwed in” and voila – a beautiful new tooth!

⓪⓪ Fixed Bridge – A bridge is used to restore gaps with the support of remaining adjacent teeth, which act as anchors. These appliances are fixed by using dental cement and cannot be removed by the patient. They are custom-made and are offered in quite a variety of materials.

The downside to this option is that the anchor teeth are crowned, therefore, unnecessarily removing healthy tooth structure.

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Books

A Voiceless Singer A look at Linda Ronstadt’s memoir and her recent Parkinson’s diagnosis

By Jaime Netzer

W

hen Linda Ronstadt began penning her memoir {Simple Dreams}, just released in September of this year, she did not have Parkinson’s. She spent four decades as one of the most popular singers in the world, selling millions of records, winning 11 Grammy Awards and touring all over the globe. Over the years, she has collaborated with music legends Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Randy Newman, The Eagles, Paul Simon, Bette Midler and many others. In the 1970s, {Time} magazine dubbed her the “Queen of Rock.” She took creative risks in her career, moving from folk to rock to country to the great American songbook to operetta to Mexican songs, and through it all, Ronstadt’s commanding, rich voice has led her to one success after another.

Now, as a result of a Parkinson’s diagnosis, that voice has been silenced. “I just can’t make the sounds. … The first note comes out, and then my voice goes into a cramp,” Ronstadt said in {The Hollywood Reporter}.

Austin MD spoke with an area neurologist about the science behind this sad side-effect of Ronstadt’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Dr. Richard Lenehan, a neurologist and Chair of the Department of Neurology at Scott &

Parkinson’s Basics from Scott & White Healthcare The Scott & White Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology and Plummer Movement Disorders Center offers complete diagnosis and treatment for Parkinson’s and other parkinsonism disorders. They recommend early referral to a movement disorders center for early team intervention.

For more information, contact Scott & White at 254.724.2111.

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The first note

comes out, and then my voice goes into a cramp Causes of Parkinson’s The cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown. What is known is that symptoms are related to a chemical imbalance in the brain caused by the death of dopamine-producing cells. A small percentage of Parkinson’s cases are genetic, and most are sporadic. Slowly, the symptoms worsen as the disease progresses. Currently, there is no cure.

Risk Factors

• Advancing age: The average age of onset is 60 years

• Sex: Men have slightly higher risk than women

• Family history: Those with an affected parent or sibling are more likely to develop the disease

Ronstadt spent four decades as one of the most popular singers in the world

Medications and speech therapy offer some benefit, but perhaps not sufficient for a professional recording

artist

White Healthcare, explains that Ronstadt’s voice is failing her because her motor system is changing, which is one of the core features of Parkinson’s disease. “The progressive degeneration of nerve cells is manifested as slowness (bradykinesia) and stiffness (rigidity), which in turn results in a decrease in volume, monotone range and impaired articulation, impacting her ability to perform as she once did,” Lenehan says. “Medications and speech therapy offer some benefit but perhaps not sufficient for a professional recording artist.”

He adds that for those fighting Parkin-

son’s disease, some of the emotional consequences can be long-lasting. He explains that after the initial “Why me?”, patients may experience lingering depression. But, he says, “[Mood] can be positively impacted by medication, support from family and participation in programs that positively impact others.”

If there is one silver lining to Ronstadt’s diagnosis, it is that her name will help bring awareness to the disease. “Attaching a face or personality to a disease, such as Lou Gehrig and ALS, Michael Fox and Parkinson’s disease and Ronald Reagan and Alzheimer’s

disease brings notoriety to a disorder beyond just the name of the condition,” Dr. Lenehan explains. “We are all impacted if a family member or friend has been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, but the impact is magnified if it involves an individual we are all familiar with. The famous name opens up doors to legislators, foundations and the public to support research and specialty care centers for the condition.”

As for Ronstadt, her feelings about her voice are clear: “I miss it every day,” she said in {The Hollywood Reporter}. “Singing is something I’ve done since I was 2 years old.”

The three most common motor symptoms of Parkinson

• Environmental factors: Findings

indicate that rural living, exposure to well water, agricultural work, pesticides and herbicides may increase the risk of getting the disease

• Combination of family history and environmental factors

• Muscle rigidity: Stiffness when the arm, leg or neck is moved back and forth.

• Resting tremor: Shaking (involuntary muscle movement) that is most prominent at rest and initially affects one side of the body.

• Bradykinesia: Slowness in initiating movement..

Accurate and early diagnosis can be difficult since early symptoms may mimic other conditions or be perceived as the effects of normal aging. Therefore, individuals should be evaluated by a movement disorders specialist — a neurologist who has specialized training in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s.

The diagnosis of the disease is based on the patient’s history, clinical exam and response to dopaminergic agents.

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GIVING

Tis’

the Season for Giving Finding time to help others this holiday season can be more rewarding than you know Special Contribution to Austin MD

T

he holidays are upon us, and for many people this is a time full of happiness and cheer. With sweet treats, bright lights, gifts and everything that makes the holiday season so special, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. Are you searching for a way to bring meaning to the season, while also enjoying the holidays? Citizen Generation is here to help!

At Citizen Generation, we love the giving spirit that accompanies the holidays. There’s something in the air, from Thanksgiving through New Years Eve, that brings out the habit of giving. It is our mission to inspire and cultivate donors for life, and we feel that now is the perfect time to get started, or get revitalized in the giving spirit!

With so many people throughout the city of Austin who are in need of assistance, there are multiple opportunities

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to give your time, talent and treasure to those in need. Below you will find a few options that we would like to share with you. Just as there are many people in need, there are many opportunities to provide help. Visit our site, www.citizengeneration.org for other opportunities to give back this season.

Operation Turkey: Since 2000, Operation Turkey has been providing food and clothing to the homeless in Austin and beyond. Last year 6,600 meals were provided between the Austin, San Marcos and Dallas programs. Operation Turkey is in need of volunteers to help cook, sort donations, package food and make deliveries.

For more information, visit www.operationturkey.com/volunteer Lifeworks Project Holiday Help: Lifeworks focuses on helping the youth and young adults of Austin who have been through “unimaginable circumstanc-

es.” Project Holiday Help connects their clients to the community and provides them with the opportunity to experience the holiday joy. To learn how you can help, visit www.lifeworksaustin.org/phh.html GivingTuesday™: Have the holidays left you short on time before they’ve even begun? “#GivingTuesday™ is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season.

It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support non-profit organizations.” To give back and participate in GivingTuesday™, visit www.givingtuesday.org and www.citizengeneration.org, or take the time to donate to your favorite charity this season.

From the Citizen Generation team, we send our warmest wishes for the holidays and hope you will join us in creating the habit of giving this holiday season and beyond.

image from Shutterstock

We love the

giving spirit

that accompanies the holidays, there’s something in the air For More Info: Visit Citizen Generation online at www.citizengeneration.org.

Business

Holiday Spending

Rings in Big Sales for Small Businesses Supporting local economy this holiday season Special contribution to Austin MD by Austin’s Small Business Development Program

M

any of us welcome the holiday season, but this is especially true of small business retailers. Many eagerly await the October through December time frame to boost balance sheets into the black. In recent years, the holiday season has begun posting big retail gains beginning as early as Halloween. Shortly after comes the late-night Thanksgiving tradition called Black Friday, where bargain shoppers camp out for discounts. Even those who don’t care to persist against the throng of Thanksgiving shoppers usually get into the spirit by Black Friday, which has become a barometer for how the retail season will unfold. In 2010, American Express founded a new tradition by branding the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday®, a day when all Americans are encouraged to “shop local.”

And the proliferation of internet shopping has extended the holiday shopping kickoff into Cyber Monday, where customers find online discounts. Welcome to the holiday shopping season, 21st century style!

Small Business Development Program developed an online directory of locally-owned small businesses to encourage residents and visitors to shop and experience “local.” LocallyAustin.org currently boasts more than 1,100 businesses that represent local Austin flavor.

Some small business owners registered on LocallyAustin.org gave their perspectives of the importance of the holiday season to retailers.

Shelley Meyer, co-owner of Wild About

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Music, says, “Our business is pretty unique in that it’s musically-themed, so festivals are a “second Christmas” for us. But the holiday season impact is significant for us. We have two businesses in downtown Austin that exhibit for two weeks at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and operate an online business.

This is a super important season for us. We staff up for it - and run out of coffee during it!”

Full-tilt holiday shopping requires food and pampering. Pascale Khoury Jbeily, who with her husband, Ati, owns Villa Salon and Spa, says, “Everybody wants to look good for the holidays, so they concentrate on their hair, skin, makeup and well being. They also spend time thinking about and investing in others, so they buy gift certificates. I have a gift boutique and see increased spending there as well. Generally, there’s an uptick in sales Nov. 1 to Jan. 1 and again when the gift certificates are redeemed.”

Of course, restaurants also get their fair share of holiday “love” from shoppers and revelers during the holidays. According to Danny Herrera, general manager of local favorite Fonda San Miguel, “The holiday season is always a really fun and busy time for Fonda San Miguel. While it is busy at Fonda year round, about two weeks before Thanks-

giving we start to see our large-group parties increase. We love that people make Fonda a part of their holiday celebrations.”

Holidays are a time of giving and showing appreciation. Be sure to demonstrate your “love of local” by enjoying, eating, drinking and shopping at Austin businesses, where the impact to our economy is greatest!

The SBDP is a division of the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, and they are committed to providing opportunities and resources to small businesses to help them grow and prosper in a competitive business environment.

Locally

Austin.org currently boasts more than 1,100 businesses that represent local Austin flavor For More Info: Contact the Small Business Development Program at 512.974.7800 or at sbdp@austintexas.gov.

Other great resources for small businesses are: austinscore.org, peoplefund.org, bigaustin.org

image from Shutterstock

business

securitY meets convenience Make the Holiday Season safer and easier special contriBution to austin Md By Dyezz surveillaNce

W

ith the holiday season comes busy schedules, traveling and time with family. Unfortunately, it also brings about a sharp rise in burglary and theft . Every year, countless homes fall victim to unscrupulous individuals who have no problem ruining another’s Christmas cheer. But now, with the rapid advances in technology, you can protect yourself, your family and get year-round benefits.

Today’s alarm systems are much more advanced than the traditional intrusion alarms people are familiar with. With integrated systems, like those provided by Connect24, Telular Interactive and Alarm.com, homeowners can now enjoy the convenience of home automation.

Technology allows owners to have interactive control of their entire home with a simple and secure ‘app’ on their smartphone or tablet device. With “z-wave” wireless connectivity, the list of devices that can interact with your alarm system might surprise you: ⓪

Light switches & dimmers

⓪

Wall outlets & appliances

⓪

Thermostat & HVAC controls

⓪

Garage door openers

⓪

Doorknob locks & deadbolts

In addition to these features, homeowners can add HD cameras, which allow live viewing of video recordings right from their phones. With the programming options of today, complex scenarios and scenes can be customized to make life more safe and secure.

An integrated system can have some unexpected benefits. For example, if you’re expecting a package but are unable to be home to accept it, you can ensure the safety of your package and your home. With instructions to call you upon arrival, you can watch the delivery company leave the package behind

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John Dyess is the founder of Dyezz surveillance

For More InFo: Dyezz Surveillance and Security has been providing the highest quality of installations and service for video surveillance systems, burglar and fire alarms, access control systems, covert surveillance, bug detection, intercom systems, and home automation since 2001. Visit dyezz. com or call (800) 370.2762.

the security of a locked door, controlled and monitored by you, all from your iPhone or Android! This capability eliminates the risk of having your package left on your doorstep.

Instead of giving people who are working on your home a key that can be lost or copied, an electronic door lock can track who comes and goes, and access can be granted or denied from any computer with your secure credentials.

For those families with children, especially teenagers, an interactive system can give you the peace of mind you’ve been searching for. With push notifications, you can get an alert that lets you know your

children made it home safe, within the expected arrival time. Even better, this notification can be accompanied by a video clip, letting you know that your kids are home, with or without all their friends.

Technology and options can be overwhelming at times, but the design specialists at Dyezz Surveillance Security are available for complimentary consultations to help you pick out the best device for you and your family.

every year,

countless homes fall victim to unscrupulous individuals Who have no problem ruining another’s christmas cheer image from ShutterStock

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EVENTS

Austin MD’s Date a Doc Auction The sexiest charity event of the year

By Hannah Neumann Photography by Tyler Kapper

H

undreds of Austinites flooded the doors of Ballet Austin at Austin MD Magazine’s first-ever Date a Doc Charity Auction, ready for a night of entertainment, cocktails and mingling, and eager to bid on 12 of the city’s most eligible medical professionals.

Guests enjoyed entertainment prior to the auction by DJ Seven and nationally acclaimed pianist Reuel Meditz, while they sipped complimentary beverages and enjoyed delicious appetizers catered by Trudy’s and cupcakes from Falon’s.

Guests were welcomed to an open bar, featuring signature cocktails made possible by the

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event’s generous liquor sponsors: TX Whiskey, Dripping Springs Vodka, Abandonado and Corona, executed by the amazing bar staff from Austin Personal Bartenders.

Each bachelor or bachelorette chose a non-profit organization close to their heart, and the money paid for each bachelor and bachelorette sold went to their chosen charity. The nonprofits benefitting from the event included: Arthritis Foundation, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Wounded Warrior Project, Junior League of Austin, the Texas Chapter of the ALS Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Global Health Innovations, Livestrong, International Justice Mission, SafePlace, The J.A.M.I.E. Group and Manos de Cristo.

Special thanks to MVPro for video (located on our Facebook Facebook.com/AustinMDMag)

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a guide to austin's reconstructive and cosmetic

SPeCialiSTS

The Holidays can be Stressful, take the time to rejuvinate and refine your body inside and out

By Jaime Netzer photography By W. tyler lackey

speciAlists GuiDe

Shirat Ling, D.O. INNATE BEAUTY r. Shirat Ling considers herself an artist trapped in a physician’s body. Unlike most medical spas, all medical cosmetic procedures at Innate Beauty are personally performed by Dr. Ling. “I view my clients as living sculptures that represent my artistic skills,” Dr. Ling says. “I partner with them to achieve natural-appearing changes.” Dr. Ling believes less is more, and also believes that no one needs to know what services her clients have had done—only that aging has been, somehow, reversed.

Dr. Ling comes to the field of cosmetic medicine from a unique background: She graduated from the University of Texas with honors with a bachelor’s degree in Biology.

She then earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth in 1999.

Dr. Ling chose the un-specialty of Family Medicine, completing her residency in Corpus Christi, where she served as Chief Resident her final year. She is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. And this unique skill set serves her well today: Because of her extensive training in family medicine, functional medicine, and bio-identical hormones, Dr. Ling addresses other issues that may contribute to the aging process. “I often unearth medical problems in the course of conversation while doing cosmetic procedures,” Dr. Ling explains.

At Innate Beauty, pricing is always upfront, and lifestyle and budget are always taken into consideration. Available services include Botox, dermal fi llers, C02 fractional

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Dr. ling consider’s herself an artist trapped in a physician’s body

laser resurfacing, IPL treatments (an intense pulsed light treatment), microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, chemical peels, sclerotherapy, and mesotherapy, in addition to medical weight loss, bioidentical hormone therapy, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and mole removal.

Dr. Ling loves her work and loves inspiring confidence in her clients. “I have the pleasure of empowering women to realize their full potential physically and mentally,” Dr. Ling

says. “I want to be the catalyst for my clients to let themselves be seen. I want them to become the sculpture they were meant to be.”

To LeArn More Visit innatebeauty.com, call 512.656.5464, or visit Innate Beauty in person at 1611 South 1st St.

speciAlists GuiDe

Dr. Venkata Erella ASPIRA PLASTIC SURGERY r. Venkata Erella feels that every person is unique, and so every surgery should be different. In fact, that’s one of his favorite parts of his job. “I like the diversity of surgeries,” Dr. Erella says. “I enjoy planning every procedure perfectly to each unique individual.”

Double board-certified in Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Dr. Erella is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. In addition, Dr. Erella has also undergone an additional Fellowship in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Surgery, focused on Face, Breast, and Body Contouring.

Dr. Erella is a true expert in cosmetic/plastic surgery, and has been performing surgeries since 1992. This 20-year history of experience comes on top of Fellowship training and education at some of the most respected medical institutions in the world. Recognized as one of the Leading Physicians in the World, Dr. Erella has also been named one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in Austin, and one of America’s Top Surgeons. His extensive training and expertise have led Dr. Erella to earn multiple honors throughout his career, as well.

Dr. Erella is dedicated to helping his patients achieve a natural look after surgery, but he’s also dedicated to every moment before surgery. Dr. Erella says, “Our staff is composed of experienced individuals who are some of the best in their fields. Everyone on our team is dedicated to providing you with the best personalized care as possible, and an overall pleasant experience. At Aspira Plastic Surgery, you are not our patient—you are like a member of our own family, and you will be treated as such.”

Surgical options available at Aspira Plastic Surgery include Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Breast Reconstruction, Tummy Tuck, Body Lift, Arm and Thigh Lift, Male Breast Reduction, Liposuction,

SmartLipo, Facial Cosmetic Surgery, and full service MedSpa, including Botox and Dermal Fillers. Dr. Erella is also one of the most experienced and recognized surgeons for performing Post-Bariatric Body Contouring.

New to plastic surgery? Dr. Erella at Aspira Plastic Surgery offers a four-part promise to help ease your concerns. Dr. Erella promises to: ⓪ Take extra time to listen to your needs, fully explain your options, give you honest opinions on what can and cannot be achieved, and help you make an educated decision. ⓪ Make you aware of all alternatives that may help you achieve your goals, even if those alternatives do not involve surgery. ⓪ Provide you with attentive and compassionate care focusing on safe, effective treatment and natural results.

⓪ Provide the highest level of personalized care after surgery until you have recovered completely.

Simply put, Dr. Erella will guide you through every step of the process. In the end, you will see safe, natural results of the breast, body and face—and you will feel great about yourself. Contact Dr. Erella at Aspira Plastic Surgery today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

To LeArn More

Visit www.aspiraplasticsurgery.com, call 512.730.3885, or visit Aspira Plastic Surgery in person in Austin at 11851 Jollyville Rd. or in Lakeway/Bee Cave at 1213 RR 620 South.

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speciAlists GuiDe

Dr. patrick combs, Dr. patrick kelley, Dr. raymond Harshbarger

Dr. sanjay sharma

Dr. steven Henry

institute of reconstructive pla he Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery of Central Texas has ten surgeons on staff seeing patients at their three locations. Here your individual care comes fi rst. “We like to meet our patients’ needs with a collaborative team approach to leverage resources and knowledge base,” explains Patrick Kelley, MD, an accomplished craniofacial surgeon. “We’re a group of ten reconstructive plastic surgeons, but we each have focused areas of expertise.

Patients get the best possible care because we can each focus on specialized areas of plastic surgery and all types of disease, from trauma to cancer treatment and reconstruction to congenital malformations.”

In fact, the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is the region’s only resource for five highly specialized plastic surgery subspecialty centers in one place: the Hand, Breast, Advanced Facial Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Wound Care Centers. The group’s surgeons are trained in multiple surgical disciplines, allowing them to combine the most advanced techniques in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, while delivering the best treatment plan for each patient.

The Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery physicians actively participate in the education and training of future physicians. Dr.

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Kelley says, “It gives us a chance to take part in research and also train future physicians, while challenging our physicians to stay in front of the field and constantly challenge their knowledge base.”

BREAST CENTER Services offered at the Breast Center by Dr. Potter, Dr. Weinfeld and Dr. White include breast cancer reconstruction, breast augmentation, breast implant revision, breast lift, breast reduction and male breast reduction.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Elisabeth Potter, MD, says she feels fortunate to practice plastic surgery in Austin. “As a female plastic surgeon, I understand the emotional and physical complexities of the journey toward breast reconstruction after a breast cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Potter says. “I take pride in caring for these special patients along every step of the way.” The Breast Center strives to provide the full range of reconstructive options and focuses on providing the best option for each particular patient.

Practicing alongside her is Adam Weinfeld, MD, who says the collaboration and similar background he shares with Dr. Potter is what helps make the Breast Center unique as it relates to breast reconstruction.

“Our training complements one another,” Dr. Weinfeld says. “Dr. Potter received ex-

cellent training from MD Anderson Cancer Center for microsurgical breast reconstruction, while I had that exposure during my residency and aesthetic surgery fellowship.

So we combine cutting-edge techniques in breast reconstruction and microsurgical reconstruction with the aesthetic and artistic nature of these procedures.”

ADVANCED FACIAL SURGERY CENTER Services available at the Advanced Facial Surgery Center include head and neck surgery, brow/forehead lift, craniofacial surgery/ reconstruction, ear surgery, facial implants, fat graft ing, skin cancer surgery revision, facial reconstruction and nerve repair and facial fracture reconstruction. The surgeons of the center are on the leading edge with virtual surgical planning and clinical transfer.

“What’s unique is, by using this planning and the ability of our highly trained surgeons who are also facile with microsurgical tissue transfer, we can solve problems we were never able to solve before,” Dr. Kelley says.

“It has completely revolutionized our outcomes, improving the accuracy of form so the reconstruction healing is more efficient and complete. For patients, that means a better and faster post-operative recovery and better functional outcomes.” Surgeons of the Advanced Facial Surgery center also provide

speciAlists GuiDe

Dr. elisabeth potter, Dr. adam Weinfeld, Dr. aisha White

Dr. brent engeland

Dr. James cullington

stic surgerY of central texas pediatric specialty care as part of the Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

PLASTIC SURGERY AND WOUND CARE CENTERS At the Plastic Surgery Center, available services include brow/forehead lift, rhinoplasty eyelid rejuvenation, face and neck lift, nose reshaping, abdominoplasty, arm lift, body lift and countering, Brazilian butt lift, cosmetic gynecology, implant placement, liposuction, mommy makeover, thigh lift and wound care.

Dr. Weinfeld explains that innovation is at the root of this Center. “I think that one of most fantastic parts of plastic surgery is the variation in diagnoses and the techniques to solve a problem,” Dr. Weinfeld says. “No day or surgery is ever the same or like others. We are always looking for innovative ways to do it better, and significant advances in medicine are often born out of plastic surgery. We really own innovation for complex problems throughout the body.”

The Institute has a comprehensive wound care center serving 22 counties in Texas, specializing in chronic wound care, and the care of decubitus ulcers, limb salvage, and traumatic reconstruction. The most complex wounds are treated at University Medical

Center at Brackenridge under the direction of Dr. James Cullington, and Dr. White at Seton Medical Center Williamson is passionate about improving the lives of patients in the Austin community.

HAND CENTER At the Hand Center, available services include care for arthritis, carpal and cubital tunnel, tennis elbow, trigger finger, fractures, sprains and dislocations, nerve and tendon injuries, joint replacement, hand therapy and splint fabrication.

Sanjay Sharma, MD, FACS, specializes in hand and microsurgery and explains that the Hand Center has three plastic surgeons that have additional orthopedic and plastics fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery. “We have a combined ability to treat not only soft tissue, but also bony skeletal injuries from the neck to the fingertips,” Dr. Sharma says. He adds that it’s rewarding to see patients who have devastating hand injuries regain function and return to work.

“A lot of times people don’t realize how much their hand bothered them or limited their function until we were able to solve the problem,” Dr. Sharma says.

The Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the only plastic surgery group in Austin who covers trauma 24/7. The physi-

cians are skilled in treating all types of injuries. Dr. Steven Henry has developed The Institute’s microsurgical system of care so that they are able to reattach an amputated thumb or finger, and perform complex toe to finger transfers for those with amputated fingers.

Dr. Brent Egeland received specialized training in peripheral nerve surgery and sophisticated functional microsurgery, which may allow restoration of motion following a nerve injury anywhere in the extremities or face.

The surgeons of the Hand Center also provide pediatric care as part of the Hand Program at Dell Children’s Medical Center, focusing on hand trauma, congenital hand differences, hand tumors and cysts, and juvenile hand arthritis.

To LeArn More Visit SetonPlasticSurgery.com or one of their three locations: Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge, 1400 N. I-35, Suite 320, Austin, 877.977.3866 Proctor Building - Building 9, 3724 Executive Center Drive, Suite 115, Austin, 512.324.2765 Seton Williamson Medical Plaza 1, 301 Seton Parkway, Suite 402, Round Rock, 877.977.3866

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vicki Hansen

Esthetician Vicki Hansen LEAD CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Alicia Long INJECTION SPECIALIST t Serenity Creek MedSpa, you’re already family. “We treat everyone as if they were our mom, brother or sister,” injection specialist Alicia Long explains.

“We have a close connection here at Serenity Creek, and our patients can really feel the positive environment when they walk in.” Patients are also quickly impressed by the staff ’s credentials: Vicki Hansen who is in charge of operations at Serenity Creek is a Certified Medical Esthetician and a member of the American Association for Esthetics Education. Her expertise includes state-ofthe-art laser and cosmetic procedures such as IPL (Intense Pulse Light), Laser hair removal, VelaShape™, Thermage, Medical grade

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speciAlists GuiDe

microdermabrasion, Dermaplaning, Tattoo removal, Invasix™ and Chemical peels, which include the Melanage and RevePeel. She also has extensive knowledge on a number of product lines including Obagi Medical Products, ReGenica, Young Pharmaceuticals, Serenity Creek Medical Skin Care, Revision Skincare, glo Minerals, Elta MD and Clarisonic.

Hansen’s talented injection specialist Alicia Long, meanwhile, received her degree in Health Science from Saint Mary’s College of California. After moving to Texas in 2008, Alicia started her medical career at Brackenridge Hospital, where she spent two years in the trauma unit. She then moved on to a medical spa in Round Rock serving as lead CMA and lead injection specialist. She is currently in the Nursing program at Austin Community College and is projected to graduate in December 2014. Long is one of the few injection specialists in Austin who is professionally trained and certified in all the injectables carried by Serenity Creek Med Spa, as well as a certified provider of the ArqueDerma Technique, The Nefertiti Lift and Advanced

alicia long

Neuromodulators. Long loves her work: “There are too many things in this world that bring you down and give you false promises,” she says. “Being the injection specialist here at Serenity Creek, I really know what we do works. It has a way of making people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin without worrying about feeling “fake.” I love my job because I know it makes a difference in the way people see themselves.”

Among the most current offerings at Serenity Creek MedSpa is the facility’s new face and body contouring machine called the Invasix, which includes Fractora Firm and the Tite FX. Hansen and Long are experts at Factora and Face rejuvenation techniques.

To LeArn More To learn more about available Serenity Creek services, or to schedule an appointment, call 512.419.0303, visit serenitycreek.com, or drop by the office at 8900 Shoal Creek.

DininG

Turkey linked to tiredness?

Food Myths Debunked

By biaNca moraGNe

S

ometimes the stories we tell ourselves, as ways to justify a common circumstance, have a way of becoming true.

Take the popular turkey-makes-you-tired tale. Every year during Thanksgiving dinner, thousands find themselves suffering from after-dinner fatigue and sleepiness. This is usually correlated to eating a lot of food at once, and the arguable culprit is Ltryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid found in turkey.

But, is turkey consumption what gives you that Thanksgiving feast lethargy? Many people believe conThe FaCTs suming turkey can make you sleepy.

Dr. Amin Mery, with Hill Country Allergy & Asthma, • Turkey is not says not exactly. The truth is, if you omit the bird altoresponsible for the Thanksgiving gether from your meal you will still feel the same effects evening slump of gorging yourself at dinner.

• For tryptophan to “It’s more complicated than the tryptophan in the turhave a sedative key. You can eliminate the turkey all together and eat a effect, it must be bunch of food at once and it still can make you sleepy, taken on an empty stomach simply because of blood supply redistribution and things of that nature,” says Dr. Mery. “What usually happens is, • After consuming other foods you eat a lot of carbohydrates during these feasts: turkey, during dinner, you mashed potatoes, candied yams and bread/rolls. Those won’t be feeling the effects of are the things that stimulate insulin increase, and those tryptophan in the insulin surges shoot sugar into the cells and are more turkey. prone to leave you drowsy.”

• Turkey isn’t the From turkey, to red meats and nuts, most dietary proonly food rich teins contain the tryptophan, an essential amino acid in tryptophan.

High doses can and protein building block. It’s called an essential amibe found in no acid because the body cannot produce it; therefore, chicken, pork and cheese. However, it must be acquired through food. Ultimately, there is these foods are nothing unique about its association with turkey. not associated with unusual L-tryptophan is one of 22 amino acids that the husleepiness. man body uses to make proteins, serotonin, melatonin • Heavy and the b-vitamin niacin. According to Dr. Mery, once consumption of metabolized into serotonin and melatonin from L-trypalcohol during the tophan, the neurotransmitters will exert a calming efholidays is also linked to having fect or sense of euphoria that regulates sleep. However, a sedative effect, L-tryptophan would have to be ingested on an empty particularly to those who may not stomach and without other amino acids or protein to drink regularly. make you feel drowsy. Turkey holds a lot of other proteins and most likely isn’t the only food upon your

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from turkeY, to red meats and nuts, most dietarY proteins contain the

tryptophan,

an essential amino acid and protein building block Thanksgiving Day table. So, the correlation with turkey and sleepiness doesn’t stand.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, there are less firm data suggesting that L-tryptophan may have additional effects such as a decrease in total wakefulness and/or an increase in sleep time; however, the best sleep results have been found in patients with mild insomnia or psychiatric illness. The FDA banned tryptophan testing and the sleep aid supplements back in 1990. Clearly, high doses of tryptophan are the problem, not turkey.

If it’s not the L-tryptophan in the turkey, then why do you feel so sluggish and mellow after your Thanksgiving meal? The answer may be a lot simpler than you think.

“It’s not entirely a myth but it’s not the only contributing factor,” Dr. Mery says. He explains that the idea of turkey being linked to tiredness is overhyped. “If you eat straight turkey you are probably not going to get drowsy, but just like anything else, anytime your stomach stretches, or you overstuff yourself, it creates a chain of events that occur and lead to sleepiness. I wouldn’t say it’s solely related to turkey ingestion.”

The verdict: feeling sleepy after eating large quantities of any food is normal, especially after a meal like Thanksgiving that is loaded with carbohydrates.

image from ShutterStock

DINING

Trudy’s Tex-Mex: An Austin Classic Good for your appetite, your environment and your health

By Kat DelGrande

Tex-Mex

cuisine is where it all started for Trudy’s, and most Austinites will tell you that the Austin-based restaurant boasts some of the finest around. Becoming a local tradition and icon since first opening its Texas Star location in 1977, Trudy’s has opened three other locations and an additional Austin restaurant, the South Congress Café.

Picture your holiday party, or any private party, this holiday season overlooking an 180-degree panoramic view of the Hill Country during a clear, winter night with constellations glistening overhead and, most importantly, heaters to keep you warm.

Trudy’s recently opened their fourth location, Trudy’s Four Star, just miles from Dripping Springs. The restaurant “has come a long way since opening in an old Dairy Queen,” said Trudy’s operations manager Preston Dumas. “We built a state-of-the-art building from the ground up with a 4,000-square foot rooftop patio. With no rental fee and an additional 10 percent discount for those who book both reception and rehearsal dinners, the rooftop patio makes for a perfect private party location.”

In addition to Austin’s finest Tex-Mex, top-notch locations, and an elegant rooftop patio, Trudy’s offers a special holiday menu featuring smoked whole turkeys, whole chickens, briskets and mouth-watering racks of ribs. “We want our guests to celebrate the food and drinks they love with our “Fresh-Tex” spin,” Dumas says.

Trudy’s uses fresh, made-from-scratch-daily, local and all-natural products whenever they can. “This helps us evolve our menu, by having chefs constantly switch up specials until they find the ones that are indispensable.”

Come to Trudy’s for the holidays or have them cater private events. Either way, make this holiday season a party to remember with menu items such as Trudy’s award-winning, famous “skinny” Mexican Martini. Fresh-squeezed orange, lime and lemon juices, organic Dulce Vida Blanco tequila and 100 percent organic agave nectar makes this classic Trudy’s drink one of the best-tasting, healthiest and most natural alcoholic drinks around! So keep celebrating the classic food you love, but try some of Trudy’s delicious dishes that they’ve modified into healthier alternatives.

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Trudy’s list

of green initiatives they put into place at the beginning of the year: • Non-GMO corn chips and tortillas are made fresh to order. Corn is one of the most genetically modified plants in the U.S. “We use non-GMO corn to make our tortillas. Our chips are made from non-GMO corn made fresh to order in Trans Fat-free oil.”

• Trans Fat-free oil- “All our items are flash-fried in a trans fat-free oil. Studies have shown Trans Fats are responsible for raising cholesterol counts and are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.”

• All-natural meats- “We strive to serve fresh all-natural meats with no hormones or antibiotics when available. Our beef used in our hamburgers is an allnatural product. Our other beef is Black Angus choice grade and always fresh, never frozen Texas beef. Our pork tenderloin is an all natural fresh product that contains no antibiotics or hormones. We grind all of our meat fresh daily.”

• Rainwater collection- “We designed our new restaurant with several water saving technologies in mind. Currently, we harvest our rainwater and use it to irrigate our landscaping.

All our refrigeration system is water cooled using condensate collection and rainwater. We are decreasing our carbon footprint and continually are trying to find new ways to save energy and resources.”

• Gluten-friendly sauces- “No thickeners are used in our sauces. These are made fresh daily with all fresh ingredients.

We have eliminated as much dried and powdered ingredients as possible to bring you the freshest tasting sauces.”

• House ripened avocados- “We buy our avocados fresh from the farm. We do not speed ripen the fruit but allow it to ripen naturally.”

Photography by W. Tyler Lackey

O n l y L o c a l l y O w n e d Toyo t a D e a l e r s h i p

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