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DISORDERS
(
Their description, characteristics or symptoms,causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder:
CANKER SORES (Aphthous Ulcers)Description: Canker sores are small, painful lesions that can appear on the tongue, lips, gums or the insides of the cheeks. A canker sore begins as a red, ulcerated spot with a yellowish border. Canker sores range in size from as small as a pinhead to as large as a quarter. They appear suddenly and often leave suddenly, usually lasting from four to twenty days.
Symptoms: The development of a canker sore may be preceded by a burning and tingling sensation. The sores cause pain and stinging. Canker sores do not form blisters as cold sores (fever blisters) do.
Incidence: Canker sores appear most often in females.
Causes: It is not known why some people frequently develop canker sores. Heredity seems to play a role, as do stress, certain foods and abrasions, such as those caused by dentures. They can be triggered by any number of factors including poor dental hygiene, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, viral infection, trauma (such as that caused by biting the inside of the cheek or using a hard-bristled toothbrush), and/or fatigue.
Treatments: Nutritional and dietary supplementation may help prevent development of canker sores. Doctors can recommend a prescription medicated gel containing hydrocortisone which may speed healing. An over-the-counter ointment such as Blistex can numb the pain.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Acidophilus |
As directed on label. Take on an empty stomach. |
Aids in maintaining healthy balance of intestinal flora ("friendly bacteria). |
|
L-Lysine |
500 mg. 3 times daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not with milk. Take with 50 mg. vitamin B6 and 100 mg. Vitamin C for better absorption. |
A deficiency may cause an outbreak of sores in and around the mouth. Caution: Do not take lysine for longer than 6 months at a time. |
|
Vitamin B Complex |
50 mg. 3 times daily. |
B vitamins are basic for immune function and healing. Deficiencies have been linked to mouth sores. |
|
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids |
500 mg. to prevent sores. 1,000 mg. taken at the first sign of a sore; then 1500 mg., taken as 3 divided doses, until the sore heals. |
Fights infection and boosts the immune system. |
|
A Multivitamin and mineral supplement containing the Daily Values of folic acid, iron and Vitamin B12. |
As directed on the label. |
Studies have linked deficiencies of folate, iron and B12 to recurrent canker sores. |
|
Zinc Lozenges |
One 15 mg. lozenge every 3 waking hours for 2 days. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily. |
Enhances immune function and aids healing. |
|
Vitamin E |
Oil from 1 capsule, applied directly to the sore. |
For immediate pain relief. |
Herbs:
 | Use burdock, goldenseal, and red clover to cleanse the bloodstream and
decrease infection. Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis
for more than one week at a time, and do not use during pregnancy. If you have
a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or glaucoma, use it only under
a doctor’s supervision.
| Goldenseal extract or tea tree oil, applied gently on the sore twice during
the day and again at bedtime, helps to speed healing. To use these as
mouthwashes, add three drops to 4 ounces of water. Add a drop or two to your
toothpaste before brushing. Use alcohol-free goldenseal extract.
| Red raspberry tea contains valuable flavonoids and is very helpful. | |
Recommendations:
| If you have repeated attacks of canker sores, check for nutritional
deficiencies.
| Have a hair analysis done to test for mineral levels. It is important to
maintain a proper balance of minerals, acidity, and alkalinity in the body.
| Eat plenty of salad with raw onions. Onions contain sulfur and have healing
properties.
| Include in the diet yogurt and other soured products, such as cottage cheese
and buttermilk.
| Avoid sugar, citrus fruits, and processed and refined foods.
| Do not eat fish or meat for two weeks. Animal protein increases the body’s
acidity, which slows healing.
| Consult your dentist if you have a mouth sore that does not heal. | |
Considerations:
| Stress and allergies are probably the most common causes of open sores in the mouth. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
888-15 |
Acidophilus with Pectin hardshell |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
912-15 |
L-Lysine HCl 500 mg. Tablets |
1 tablet 3 times daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not milk. |
$3.95/100 |
|
891-15 |
B Complex 50 mg. Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$6.95/100 |
|
955-12 |
C 500 mg. with Rose Hips Tablets |
1 tablet daily to prevent sores. Take 2 tablets at the first sign of a sore, then 3 tablets in divided doses, until the sore heals. |
$4.95/100 |
|
091-15 |
Citrus bioflavonoids tabs. |
As directed on label. Take with vitamin C. |
$5.95/100 |
|
982-15 |
One A Day Maximum Tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
223-15 |
Zinc (chelated) Lozenges |
1 lozenge every 3 hours for 2 days. |
$4.95/100 |
|
120-12 |
E 1000 mg. (D-alpha Tocopheryl) Softgels |
Apply oil from 1 softgel directly to the sore. |
$14.95/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd EditionBy James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
