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HEALTH & WELLNESS DIRECTORY / FALL 2019 9 As winter approaches, cold and flu season fol- low swiftly behind. Here are a few tips to prevent you from catching those pesky viruses as well as a few things you can do if you catch a bug. Washing your hands can be a great way to elimi- nate germs and avoid the cold and flu. Make sure you are rubbing your hands together with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Another way to stay healthy this season is to ensure you're getting plenty of rest, at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. Eating plenty of fruits and vegeta- bles can also be helpful in boosting your immune system. In addition to these tips, the flu vaccine is highly recommended by physicians and the CDC. Prescription Center Pharmacy Located in the Whitman Park Professional Building 888 Thackeray Trail • Oconomowoc 567-7267 Your Medicare Part D Headquarters DRIVE-THRU WINDOW for your prescription convenience 265675001 David Eichstaedt R.Ph. Cameron Cech R.Ph. Cold and Flu Prevention (NAPS) – Two of the more common eye-related problems are dry eyes and eye allergies. While the symptoms are similar, there are differences between the two conditions. Sometimes they can occur at the same time, compounding the problem. That's why it's important to have a medical eye exam to determine the cause of your symptoms so you can get the appropriate treatment. If you're concerned about the cost of the exam, the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeCare America program may be able to help. Understanding allergies Seasonal eye allergy symp- toms are like dry eye, but itch- iness is more common. When you're sensitive to an allergen such as molds, pollen, dust or grass, histamine is released, causing itchy, red eyes that tear or burn. Over-the-count- er medications are often effec- tive. You can also take the fol- lowing steps for relief: ■ Limit exposure to the outdoors on high-pollen-count days. ■ Wash your face and hands after being outside to reduce the amount of pollen on the skin. ■ Don't rub your eyes; it may increase the irritants and make symptoms worse. Examining dry eye Dry eye is a complex dis- ease that has many causes that often overlap and inter- act. Dry eye can happen when the eye doesn't produce enough tears or when the quality of the tears can't keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated. It fre- quently occurs with other health conditions. People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women – especially after menopause. Common symptoms of dry eye disease may include sensi- tivity to light, dryness and itchiness, the feeling that something is in the eye, fluc- tuating vision, eye fatigue and excess eye watering. Ophthalmologists – physi- cians specializing in medical and surgical eye care – will prescribe a variety of treat- ments based on the cause of the dry eye. For many people, though, a few simple lifestyle changes can resolve the prob- lem: ■ Try adding moisture to the air with a humidifier. ■ Protect your eyes from drying wind by wearing wrap- around glasses outside. ■ Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet for dry eye relief. These are in oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, tuna, trout and anchovies) and in flax- seeds. ■ Use artificial tear oint- ment or thick eyedrops just before you go to bed. If your eyes remain red and irritated after trying these tips, see your ophthalmolo- gist. About EyeCare America EyeCare America is a national public service pro- gram that provides eye care through volunteer ophthal- mologists for seniors 65 and older, and those at increased risk for eye disease. To see if you or your loved ones are eligible, visit www.aao.org/ eyecareamerica. Since 1985, EyeCare America has helped more than 2 million people with sight-saving eye care and resources, and more than 90 percent of the care provided is at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. The program is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon and Regeneron. Is it seasonal allergies or dry eye?