Category: prevention and fitness

August Timely Topics-School, Sports, and Sickness

August marks a transitional month in the U.S. as students return to school, with the rising use of AI in education. While sports like football kick off, health concerns arise due to increased illnesses and a measles outbreak. This period encourages reflection on personal and social growth amid challenges.

Updated August 1, 2026

August is a strange month. It’s the only month without a major holiday in the United States. Although the temperatures still feel hot and muggy, by the end of the month, students and teachers are back in school and college for the “fall” semester. (Of course, if you are south of the equator, your experience may look quite different.)

Many things stay much the same. Others change significantly. This post mentions some such changes.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Back to School, Back to Books

Of course, computers and digital tablets have been in schools several years now. But now we can add instruction by AI, artificial intelligence. Some schools are now entirely AI taught, with no human teachers.

The main goal of school is education and reading is vital; books are the basic building blocks. That’s why Dolly Parton gives books away- read why here.

Inspiring Dreams: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Inspired by a childhood story and personal struggles, Dolly Parton established the Imagination Library, providing free books to children. Her own experience led to the song “Coat of Many Colors,” conveying the value of love over material possessions. Through this initiative, she aims to nurture children’s dreams through the joy of reading.

Keep reading

How much do you know about medicine?

Speaking of school, there are always tests. Here’s one for you. Find out how much you know about medicine by taking this quiz that I wrote especially for blog readers.

Friday Night Lights

Along with school comes sports. Although some go on year-round, many are tied to the school year, and football starts first in most places.

Even folks who don’t have a tie to a particular school adopt their local school’s team and follow faithfully. Fifty-plus years after my first football game as a college freshman, I still follow my team, the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

“Play like a champion today”

The OU Sooners football program has won 7 national championships and 7 players have received Heisman trophies. More importantly, the team never fails to show their fans exciting, hard-fought games. Even when they lose, they do so with plays that keep us guessing what’s going to happen next and wondering how such talented athletes can end up with the losing…

Keep reading

Sore Throats and Sneezing

Except this year, 2026, we’re also dealing with the highest measles level in 30 years. And thousands have been struck with “explosive diarrhea” from eating produce contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite.

Although we think of colds and flu as winter illnesses, doctors start seeing patients with respiratory symptoms soon after school starts.

Places where people spend time together, like classrooms and dormitories, are prime places for people to share the viruses and bacteria that cause strep throat, colds, influenza, and COVID-19.

But there are steps we can take to lower the risk of exposure and illness. Check out the info in this post.

6 Tips for the Flu Season

We should all take influenza and COVID-19 seriously; consider my suggestions, talk to your personal doctor, keep up with recommendations from your local public health professionals, and do your part to keep your family and community well.

Keep reading

Exploring the HEART of health

As the season changes, ask yourself these questions about changes you might want or need to make in your life.

  1. What one activity can I start or improve to nurture my wellbeing?
  2. How is social media helping or hindering my growth as a person?
  3. What new or improved skill will make my life easier or more productive?

I appreciate your time reading this post and invite you to follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Help Watercress Words share the HEART of health

myReader Rewards club- photo of woman on a bench reading a book

My Reader Rewards Club is a great way to earn free books and Bibles for yourself, friends, and family! Your journey to earning free faith-based products starts HERE.
(When you sign up through these links, I can earn free books too.)

As a member, you’ll have access to inspiring literature, Bibles, special promotional offers, and much more. Earning points is easy—you’ll receive 25 points just for signing up!

Watercress Words Bookstore

Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that financially supports local, independent bookstores.

We believe bookstores are essential to a healthy culture and they are dedicated to the common good.

Bookshop.org donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores.

Maximizing Skin Health and Beauty

Skin health and beauty are prominent in today’s society, driving a multi-billion dollar industry. As a family physician, I’ve seen various skin issues, some stemming from diseases, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions. Understanding skin layers and cells is helpful. Excessive sun exposure can lead to photoaging and increase the risk of skin cancer, emphasizing the need for UV protection measures.

Skin health and beauty- big business

Browse social media or news sites online and you notice skin health and appearance is a priority for most people. Sales for skin care products and services is a multi-billion dollar industry. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen posts from friends who are involved in direct-selling companies for skin care, maybe you are also.

As a family physician, I treated skin problems frequently. Some of them were due to skin diseases, but some resulted from lifestyle habits, other medical conditions, and even medical treatments. While some of these may be unavoidable, others are preventable.

Skin Deep- cells and layers

First, let’s take a deeper look at our skin, it’s more complex than you may realize. It has two layers-

the top layer, the epidermis

the lower layer, the dermis

Layers of the Skin diagram

The layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis), as well as an inset with a close-up view of the types of cells in the skin (squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes). Source: National Cancer Institute Creator: Don Bliss (Illustrator) This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source and, where possible, the creator listed above.

Skin disease and trauma involve damage to one or both layers of the skin- the dermis or epidermis, or to the individual cells- squamous cells, basal cells, or the melanocytes-the cells with pigment that give our skin color.

Cancers can develop in any cell of the skin. Melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes.

(This photo is for illustration only and should not be used to diagnose a skin lesion. See a physician if you have a skin lesion that concerns you. )

photo of melanoma skin cancer

a melanoma skin lesion-Source: National Cancer Institute Creator: Unknown Photographer- This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source

Ultraviolet Light-an avoidable risk to skin health and appearance

Basking in sunlight may enhance your mood, but too much of it can damage your skin.

The signs of photo-aging are obvious to physicians-

  • yellowing of the skin complexion
  • dry and rough texture with wrinkling,
  • unevenly pigmented skin tone with dilated blood vessels.
  • stretched out
  • easy bruising

Visit this link from the Canadian Dermatology Association to see what photoaged skin looks like

Photoaging

Photoaging is premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), primarily from the sun but also from artificial UV sources, such as tanning beds. Besides aging, excess sun exposure can cause

  • Burns
  • Rash due to increased sun sensitivity when taking certain medications
  • Cancers- skin cancers are the most common type of cancer.

How to limit UV light exposure 

Learn more about the effects of sun exposure from familydoctor.org at this link.

What sun exposure does to our skin.

a cute monkey checks out his face in a mirrow

We all care about our appearance, including this cute monkey. Photo by Andre Mouton on Pexels.com

Exploring the HEART of skin health

I appreciate your time and interest in exploring and sharing the HEART of health with me. And I especially appreciate your sharing my posts wherever you hang out.

I appreciate your time reading this post and invite you to follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha