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How to avoid a Social Security cut

WASHINGTON — With the few months they have left as senators, Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Bill Cassidy have embarked on a mission to save tens of millions of Social Security beneficiaries from a projected 22% cut in their benefits, starting in just six years. It is one of the most perilous political efforts that a member of Congress can undertake, so it is telling that the push is being led by two lawmakers who have little to lose at this stage of their careers. “We’ve been at this six years, eight years. It’s incredible how long I’ve been at it,” Cassidy said. ...

Will herb to help depression harm the eyes?

Q. I am prone to depression and irritability. When I heard about St. John’s wort (SJW) some years ago, I started taking it in capsules. I’ve tried to stop it a few times, but I notice a definite uptick in anxiety and impatience. So, I value this supplement, but I use less than the full dose. Reading that it might affect the eyes made me nervous. I have begun to notice dry eye symptoms in the morning. I didn’t think they were related to SJW, but now I worry that they might be. Do you have any advice? A. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used for centuries to ...

Decades later, his betrayal comes to light

DEAR ANNIE: I’m going through a difficult divorce after 58 years of marriage to an alcoholic. Recently he told me two things I never knew: that he slept with my sister the night before our wedding and, years later, when they were both in the military, with a friend of mine. I always knew my sister flirted with him. She’d tried the same with two other sisters’ boyfriends, and she and my husband spent years publicly claiming to dislike each other while accusing one another of “trying something.” I always thought it was weird but harmless. I never imagined it went that far on ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: What to do if you find stray cats

DEAR HELOISE: We live out in the country, and I’m sad to say that too many people dump unwanted pets out this way. Last winter, we found two pregnant cats who were in bad shape. We took them inside and did our best to save them, but one died; the other lived and gave birth to three adorable kittens. What should we do when a cat is suffering from hypothermia? No doubt we’ll see more animals this winter with hypothermia, and we’d like to help them. Our vet is nearly 30 miles away. — Rudy and JoAnna, in Wyoming Rudy and JoAnna, using an electric blanket or a heating pad, ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Anesthesia options for surgery on the eyes are offered

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 78 years old and in pretty good health. I walk 3 miles four times a week, bike 8 miles once a week, and lift weights twice a week. Besides eye drops for glaucoma, the only medication I take is 20 mg of lovastatin each day. Due to corneal edema, I’ll be having a partial cornea transplant. My surgeon has asked me to decide which anesthesia I want: MAC or LMA. Can you explain the difference between them? Any advice or insights regarding these two forms of anesthesia would be helpful. — C.W.S. ANSWER: MAC is monitored anesthesia care, which is used with a ...