If you’re an investor, you probably enjoy the convenience of managing your accounts online. But you’ll also want to make sure that you’re not making it convenient for hackers, “phishers” and others with bad intentions to gain the same access.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently went to my dermatologist because I noticed a dark mole I hadn't seen before. He did a biopsy, and it was called a "moderately dysplastic nevus." He recommended removal, which was done right away. During the appointment he mentioned that I am now at greater risk for melanoma, even though I have no family history of melanoma and I do not have a great number of moles. I do get a yearly skin screening, as I am at risk to develop cancer due to my misspent youth basking in the sun despite my fair hair and skin. I have tried to find more information online, but it's been challenging to find things I can understand. Can you shed more light on this topic? — T.M.H.

If you’re a woman who owns a business, you may have some challenges not shared by your male peers — but you also have several opportunities to help improve your financial future.

Unwanted agricultural surplus pesticides? Dispose of them properly at no cost and stay in your vehicle! An agricultural pesticide waste collection day event will be held Oct. 28 in Athens. The event will run from 8 a.m. to noon at the Henderson County Regional Fair Park, 3356 Texas 31 in Athens.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old Caucasian woman with newly found necrosis of the knee bone, along with a fracture. I do not have diabetes, but I received a month of steroids last November when I had COVID. I also use Adair daily for asthma. I am scheduled for total knee replacement this coming October. My primary care doctor, my orthopedist and my knee surgeon do not know how this occurred. I would like to know so that I might be able to prevent it from happening in the future. I felt fine until after a long walk three months ago. I've had to use a cane for walking ever since, and am unable to walk very far, due to pain. — S.R.

Homeowners who are thinking about adding fruit trees to their home landscape need to first start by taking an honest look at their site. Before we get excited about peaches or pears or citrus or other fruits, we need to be honest about our available space, the amount of sunlight it receives, as well as the soil type.

The pandemic has not changed the fact that motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19 in the U.S. and in Texas.

October is National Retirement Security Month. But what does retirement security mean to you? And how can you work toward achieving it?

With the arrival of autumn, apples will begin filling the produce aisle in supermarkets. And apples seem to be the most beautiful and colorful of the entire section.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have multiple sclerosis, Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I am on steroids daily as well as potent immunosuppressives. In November 2013, I received a flu shot, and 10 days later I came down with Guillain-Barre syndrome. I was paralyzed for six months. Half of my doctors say I should take the COVID vaccine; the other half say I shouldn't. Do you have any statistics on the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and GBS? What is your opinion? — D.D.

All of us hope to live long, healthy lives, so we do what we can to take care of ourselves through proper diet, exercise and avoiding unhealthy activities. However, none of us can predict our future, so it pays to be prepared for anything — including a serious physical illness or the onset o…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read about the benefits of having a glass of wine per day for women, or two glasses for men. Can you please tell me how your health will be affected if you have more? My husband often drinks a bottle of wine a night, and if we go out he will have cocktails as well. — Anon.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been taking calcium supplements for many years to assist in strengthening my bones. I’m 74, weigh less than 95 pounds and stand 5 feet tall. I’m on the verge of osteoporosis, and have been getting Evenity injections for almost a year. Now I’m hearing that calcium supplem…

Once you’re retired and your children are grown, they are likely “off the books,” as far as your financial responsibility for them is concerned. Yet, you’re probably still prepared to do anything to help them — but are they ready to take care of you if the need arises?

When you go to any feed store and buy a sack of feed, you know exactly what you’re getting. We know the weight, the ingredients and the quality of the feed. You can buy 12% or 20% protein cubes to feed cattle.

DEAR DR. ROACH: We know COVID-19 came from Wuhan, China. Where are the delta and other variants coming from? — D.B.

For most of the state of Texas, dove hunting season has begun and wildlife enthusiasts, both watchers and hunters, would do well to plant a winter food plot for the upcoming opening seasons later this fall.

It’s been called the “Great Resignation” — the large number of Americans voluntarily leaving their jobs. If you plan to be part of it (ideally with another source of employment lined up), you’ll need to make the financial moves necessary to keep making progress toward your long-term goals.

National Cholesterol Education Month is observed during the month of September to increase awareness of our cholesterol levels and to educate on ways to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. Education is important, as high blood cholesterol is asymptomatic and is one of the major risk factors …

Boost the flavor and health value of your meals without adding more salt. A trip through the spice aisle at the grocery store and close look at the labels reveals the secret to salt substitutes — herbs.

The grief that comes with the loss of a loved one, including pets, is never easy.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently I was diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after symptoms of unexpected and sustained diarrhea for three months. I was also diagnosed with NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) last November. A year ago, I first noticed slight weight loss (5 pounds) an…

As we leave summer and enter the fall season, beginner and expert gardeners alike are planning their fall vegetable gardens. Whether you are growing vegetables in a pot in your apartment or refreshing your backyard garden, it is important to know that a fall vegetable garden needs to be managed differently than a spring garden.

If you’re a grandparent, you don’t need Grandparents Day, observed on Sept. 12, to remind you of the joys of having grandchildren. Yet, you might want to use this day as an opportunity to think about ways to help provide for your grandchildren’s future.

Every 10 years Texas requires brands be re-registered in the county or counties you are operating in. The next brand re-registration period will begin Aug. 31 and conclude Feb. 28, 2022. All current marks and/or brands will expire Aug. 30.

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do you choose your own doctors? The old advice to interview doctors can’t be done within insurance constraints. I am an old Hispanic woman with a low income. I have Ph.D. in cell biology from a widely respected university, but I am treated just as I witnessed my own mothe…

If you’re getting close to retirement, you’re probably thinking about the ways your life will soon be changing. And one key transition involves your income — instead of being able to count on a regular paycheck, as you’ve done for decades, you’ll now need to put together an income stream on …

Grubs (also known as grub worms), army worms, chinch bugs and mole crickets are insects that commonly cause the most damage to lawns in our area.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read with interest your recent column regarding the benefit of a colonoscopy for detecting colon cancer. I am 58 and started experiencing frequent light nausea about two months ago, a few days after getting my first Moderna vaccine. My doctor had me get a blood test. It was…

Like everyone, you’d like to enjoy a long, healthy, independent life. But the future is unknowable, so it’s a good idea to prepare for a variety of outcomes — including the possible need for long-term care.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please explain the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? I know they are both helpful for the digestive system, but I’m not sure why. — A.B.

If you’ve heard of 529 plans, you might think they can only be used to help pay for college. And you wouldn’t be alone: Less than one-third of adults properly identified that a 529 plan can be used for more than just higher education, according to a survey by Morning Consult and Edward Jones…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have COPD, and my doctor explains that the trouble is that my lungs do not expel the full amount of the breath I take in. This prevents the full oxygen intake from my breath. My question is, Do commercial oxygen generators serve any purpose if the full amount of oxygen supp…

If you’ve had an IRA and a 401(k) for many years, you may occasionally ask yourself some questions: “Am I contributing enough?” “Am I still funding these accounts with the right mix of investments for my goals and risk tolerance?” But here’s one inquiry you might be overlooking: “Have I used…

It has been almost six months since Winter Storm Uri blanketed Texas in a week-long freeze and, despite ample rain, many Texas trees are still showing signs of stress. Tufts of leaves give some a patchy, inverted look – while others are losing vast amounts of bark, or seemingly dying overnight – leaving many Texas home and land owners wondering what they should do.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please help me understand the connection between the use of baby powder or talcum powder and ovarian cancer. I can’t grasp how a product that is applied externally can migrate to the ovaries and cause cancer. — K.M.

About this time of year, spring-planted gardens are winding down. The heat of summer is here and the soil is drying up.

If you’re in the early stages of your career, you’re probably not thinking much about retirement. Nonetheless, it’s never too soon to start preparing for it, as time may be your most valuable asset. So, you may want to consider retirement savings vehicles, one of which is an IRA. Depending o…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I ruptured my Achilles tendon playing basketball seven years ago at the age of 49. I was able to recover and continue playing. My question has to do with others who have suffered from this: Why do so many young people appear to tear their Achilles? I can think of a handful of…

You have seen it happen countless times. Some well-meaning sprinkler system has excess water running out of the landscape and down the street into the storm drain. It is a waste of our best water and an unneeded expense to the homeowner.

Once you retire, what can you expect from your life? You might be surprised by the things that current retirees are saying about their lifestyles, priorities, relationships and hopes for the future. And you also might find this knowledge quite helpful as you prepare for the day when you beco…

We love watching the bunnies hopping across the lawn or ground squirrels scurrying away with a cheek full of seeds. That is, until they dine on our favorite shrub or take just one bite out of each red ripe tomato in the garden. Finding a way to coexist is critical for wildlife struggling to …