PINK EYE

Q” Pop-Pop, don’t feel bad that you gave me a cold in my eye. It wasn’t your fault. ... Was it?”

A. This question came from my 7-yearold granddaughter, Maggie. She got conjunctivitis – known colloquially as “pink eye” – a week after I did. Subsequently, Maggie’s mother and grandmother also caught nasty cases that required multiple visits to an ophthalmologist. Conjunctivitis is an infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and part of the eyeball. The infection creates swelling of the eyelids and a reddening of the whites of the eyes.

Pink eye is caused by bacteria, viruses and allergens such as pollen. Pink eye from bacteria and viruses can be highly contagious for as long as two weeks after symptoms begin. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.

In addition to swelling and discoloration, pink eye also makes your eyes itch and water. Often, you feel like you have sand or an eyelash caught in your eye. The infection clouds your vision. When you sleep, a crust forms on your eye and makes it dif cult to open. Your eyes become light sensitive.

My experience with pink eye should be instructive. I am allergic to all kinds of pollen. These allergies usually irritate my eyes, especially in the fall. When I had mild symptoms recently, I assumed it was the pollen in the air. I exposed everyone in my family before my eye worsened, and I discovered I had a viral infection.

If I had gone to a doctor immediately for a diagnosis, I might have been able to prevent the infection from spreading by being more careful about contact.

Next time I have any kind of watery, itchy eyes, I will be much more careful. Sorry, Maggie. My family physician gave me antibiotic eye drops in case the infection was bacterial. I was instructed to see an ophthalmologist in two days if there was no improvement. No improvement would indicate that I had a viral infection. My eye didn’t get better, so I went to an ophthalmologist who gave me steroid eye drops to help relieve the symptoms. Only time corrects viral conjunctivitis – two to three weeks.

Maggie had a minor case of pink eye that disappeared in days. Her mother and grandmother suffered the way I did.

To prevent the spread of pink eye, wash your hands often and avoid contact with others. Don’t share washcloths or towels. Change your pillowcase often.

SUICIDE PART 1

Q: Who is most likely to commit suicide?

A. White men are at the highest risk of suicide, especially those over the age of 85; they had a rate of 49.8 suicide deaths per 100,000 persons. Women and teens report more suicide attempts. Suicide is the 11th most common cause of death in the United States. Depression is a condition usually associated with suicide in older adults. There are a lot of problems to face as you get older. There are losses of all kinds that can get you down. And feeling blue for a while is a normal part of living at any age.

But, unrelenting depression is not normal.

If you feel this way, you should seek medical attention. Most people get better if they treat their depression.

If you or someone close to you is having suicidal thoughts, you can call this toll-free number, available 24 hours a day, every day: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

You will reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service available to anyone. All calls are con dential.

There are many causes of depression. Some of them are the natural consequences of being older: a health crisis or death, the loss of physical or mental capacities or being a stressed-out caregiver.

Seniors usually rebound from a period of sadness. However, if you are suffering from “clinical depression” and don’t get help, your symptoms might last months or even years.

The following are common signs of depression. If you have several of these, and they last for more than two weeks, get treatment:

• anxiety

• fatigue

• loss of interest or pleasure

• sleep problems

• eating too much or too little

• abnormal crying

• aches that can’t be treated successfully

• diminished concentration of memory

• irritability,

• thoughts of death or suicide

• feelings of despair

• guilt and being worthless.

Depression is a serious illness. It can lead to suicide. Don’t waste time; find help.

Start with your family doctor. The doctor should check to see if your depression could be caused by a health problem (such as hypothyroidism or vitamin B12 de ciency) or a medicine you are taking.

Antidepressant drugs can help. These medications can improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and concentration.

Electroconvulsive therapy is an option.

It may be recommended when medicines can’t be tolerated or when a quick response is needed.

Fred Cicetti is a freelance writer who specializes in health. He has been writing professionally since 1963. Before he began freelancing, he was a reporter and columnist for three daily newspapers in New Jersey. Email questions to fredcicetti@gmail.com.