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BAD BREATH AND SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES
Certain breath odors may be symptomatic of health issues which require immediate attention.
Odd odors.
For
instance if the odor smells "fruitlike" this may indicate that your body is trying to expell acetone. This conditions occurs because of a process called ketoacidosis.
Ketoacidosis happens when insulin is not present in the body. If insulin is not
present, body fat is substituted for the insulin, and when metabolized, ketones invade the bloodstream. This condition can result in a diabetic coma and should be considered life-threatening.
If
you have ever had a tube inserted in your stomach through your mouth or nose, you may have experienced "fecal odor" in your
breath. This can also occur when there is a bowel obstruction or prolonged period of
vomiting. An ammonia or fishlike odor can be associated with chronic kidney failure also known
as chronic renal failure.
Drug abuse.
This is a sad footnote to our culture today. In years past this subject wouldn’t even be
considered in a guide such as this. A study conducted in 2003 revealed that 12.3 million
Americans 12 years old and over tried methamphetamine at least once. This number is staggering
when you consider that represents 5.2% of our population.
Not
only are the health risks tremendous but the damage to the teeth is often irreversible.
Dentists have reported that the teeth of methamphetamine users are described as rotting, black, stained and literally falling apart and
crumbling. The drug is highly acidic and reduces the production of saliva. Users tend to grind their teeth and crave sugar in any form.
The drug also remains in the system for up to 12 hours prolonging the exposure during a period when the user probably will not even consider
brushing or flossing.
Removal of the teeth is often the only course of action.
Eating disorders.
We
have mentioned that vomiting is a known cause of bad breath. Hand in hand with vomiting are
potentially dangerous disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
Bulimia involves the practice of repeated binge eating followed up by self-induced vomiting called “purging” and is normally done
secretly.
The
reasons for engaging in this practice are different for each participant. However, it is
generally accepted by the medical community that those who suffer from bulimia eat for “comfort.”
They use food as a therapy and consume large amounts to induce inner feeling of well being.
It appears to temporarily drive away feelings of anger, loss, sadness and other negative, human conditions.
Each time they binge, they need to purge so they can recapture the emotional band-aids they get while binging. It is an extremely dangerous practice.
The
purging process is also accomplished by fasting, taking diet pills or using diuretics. Not only
does the practice rapidly deplete the body of natural resources, it also creates a dry mouth situation which causes bad breath. If you know of someone who you suspect may be on a damaging “binge eating” program watch for the signs of
bad breath as well. If you suspect they may be engaged in this behavior, intervention may be in
order.
Anorexia is also extremely harmful. While it may manifest itself in some of the same ways as
bulimia, it is different in that the victim has a fear of weight gain and even the slightest ounce of body fat just can’t be
tolerated. Rather than binging and purging, purging is the tool of preference for people who
suffer from anorexia.
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