2023-12-02 15:14:58
Bad breath is often linked to the food we eat, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health problem.
“There are many causes of bad breath, but if it’s a chronic and persistent problem, you should definitely get it checked out,” ear, nose and throat surgeon Adam Frosh told Daily Mailaccording to the British media The Mirror.
The latter, however, clarified that people are often reluctant to discuss their bad breath with a health professional, because they find it embarrassing.
“The other problem is that it’s not the person who has bad breath who usually notices it, but rather those around them. The problem tends to depend on the honesty of those around you,” he also added.
Here’s what bad breath can indicate:
Fruity breath
If your breath smells like pear drop, you may have type 1 diabetes. Indeed, this smell is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis which occurs when a person cannot properly transform sugars into due to a lack of insulin.
“Because there is not enough insulin, glucose is not absorbed and accumulates in the blood. The lack of insulin will also cause the body to transform fat into glucose, which produces ketone bodies. The accumulation of ketone bodies is toxic to the body,” Diabète Québec indicated on its website, specifying that fruity breath is one of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Fishy breath
You’re told you have fishy breath, but you haven’t eaten any. Don’t wait and go see the doctor, because this could be a sign of kidney failure, according to the Jean Coutu pharmacy.
Moldy breath
If your breath smells like mold, you may have liver problems. So, this smell may indicate that you have cirrhosis, a condition that occurs when one has long-term liver damage and scar tissue takes over, preventing the organ from functioning properly. It is a disease usually associated with alcohol abuse, reported The Mirror.
Sour breath
Finally, sour breath can indicate several problems, including gastric reflux and bleeding gums, commonly known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. If left untreated, this condition can cause tooth loss and, therefore, mental health problems, according to the American Psychiatic Society.
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