Health Tip: Triggers for Canker Sores

HealthDay News) -- Canker sores are the painful white patches that appear on the insides of the cheeks, lips, gums or tongue.





The U.S. National Library of Medicine says these factors may increase your risk of getting canker sores:

• A family history of canker sores.
• A weakened immune system.
• A bite on the inside of the cheek or the tongue.
• Having dental work.
• Stress or changes in hormone levels.
• Deficiencies in vitamins or minerals such as iron, folic acid, or B-12.
• Food allergies.
• Having a viral infection.

Beating Food Allergies: 3 Reasons for Hope

By Sean Kelley

Istockphoto

For the last eight months, my wife and I have been focusing on managing our son’s multiple food allergies from day to day. We haven’t thought much about the future: Feeding him when he’s allergic to wheat, eggs, corn, soy, peanuts, and chicken is time-consuming enough.
But in this season of hope, we’re finally starting to look at what life in the buffet line might be like for Graeme in a few years. Read More

Take Me Out to the Peanut-Free Ball Game

By Sean Kelley

A few weeks ago, my wife and I took our children to a work-related event at our city’s minor-league baseball park. The company set up a spread of ballpark fare—hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips—but we packed a lunch for our son, Graeme, who has severe food allergies.

This should have eliminated our worry, but we watched Graeme like a hawk lest he encounter that ballpark favorite: peanuts. After all, there’s nothing more American than peanuts and Cracker Jack at a ball game; those crunchy shells are always underfoot.

But some ballparks are breaking with tradition. This summer, our minor-league team, the Birmingham Barons, hosted its first ever peanut-free night, and other minor-league parks offered single games or special seating sections where peanuts were banned. Read More