What Is a Canker Sore ? Canker sores (or aphthous stomatitis) are single groups of shallow, painful ulcers found in the mouth or gums. Canker sores are extremely common. For most people, they are an occasional inconvenience, but some people deal with recurrent canker sores. And in these people who suffer from recurrent canker sores may develop canker sores up to four times each year. What Causes a Canker Sore ? A canker sore can be caused by several initiating factors such as trauma from biting your cheek, a toothbrush, or hard, sharp food, as well as food or chemical allergies/sensitivities (e.g., gluten, dairy, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc.), nutrient deficiency, and stress. Is a canker sore the same as a cold sore? Many people confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are not the same. Cold sores or fever blisters may erupt secondary to infection or activation of the herpes simplex one virus. When the virus infects or re-emerges, painful blisters appear on the outside of the...
Both flu (influenza) and cold are caused by viruses, and they can have similar symptoms. So how do we know if a person has the flu or a bad cold? In this article, we explain the differences. Cold and influenza are the most common illnesses in humans, according to an article published in The Lancet Trusted Source . Every year, 5-20 percent of the population of America develop flu symptoms. The main difference between cold and flu is that, generally, symptoms of the flu are usually a lot more severe. Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of flu complications; flu is responsible for around 23,600 deaths every year. Fast facts on colds vs. flu : Colds and flu share many of the same symptoms; the major difference being flu is often worse, and accompanied by a high fever . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average adult will have 2-3 colds every year. The rhinovirus is the most common cause of cold. The d...