Bad breath could indicate diabetes or worse...

It's time you stopped ignoring bad breath. Here's what it could mean for your health.

What is your solution for bad breath? Mint, saunf, or maybe you gargle with some mouth wash. Whatever your method of dealing with bad breath is, know that foul breath is an indicator of a lot more than simply poor oral hygiene. It can indicate a lot more if looked at closely.

According to Dr Amit Saraf, MD FCPS, Consultant Physician, Jupiter Hospital, 'In the olden art of medicine when the modalities of investigations were far and few, most of the older clinicians used to rely a lot on clinical signs for diagnoses. These clinical signs hold ground even to date, in spite of ultra-modern investigations available. One of such clinical sign is a person s breath and its odour. Both the pattern of breathing and its smell can give valuable and reliable information to the treating physician.'

Poor oral hygeine: One of the most common reasons for bad breath, poor oral hygiene is often caused due to the overgrowth of bacteria in your mouth and throat. Apart from that certain type of medication can also kill the good bacteria in your gut and mouth leading bad breath. Here are some quick and easy oral hygiene tips.

Liver failure: Dr Saraf says, 'People with liver failure have a very characteristic odour called fetor hepaticus. Characterised as a fruity type of odour, this type of bad breath is a sign of liver failure. Known to be due to an increase in a compound called thiols in a person's breath. You may also like to read about 5 foods that can help prevent liver disease.

Kidney failure: ' People with kidney failure have a characteristic ammonia or keto breath.' Characterised as a fishy or urine -like fishy odour, this smell is caused due to a person's kidney's inability to excrete waste from the body. This build-up leads to the toxins being released from the body through a person's breath -- leading to this foul odour. You may also like to read about these 11 diet dos and don'ts for people with kidney disease.

Diabetes: A common sign of diabetes is bad breath that has a fruity odour. Diabetics suffering from a condition called ketoacidosis -- a life-threatening condition where their body is not able to use sugars as a source of energy (due to the lack of insulin). Their body tends to break down fat instead leading to ketones being formed as a waste product. You may also like to read about this one symptom that indicates kidney failure in diabetics.

Acid reflux: Also known as GERD, a person with this condition often has undigested or regurgitated food in their food pipe which leads to bad breath. The type of smell depends on the foods they eat, but often the smell can be extremely foul.

Respiratory ailments: When you have a cold, cough or any other respiratory infection it is common to have bad breath due to congestion in the sinuses, nose and respiratory tract.

Finally, Dr Saraf, says, 'Halitosis can be treated by early diagnosis and treatment of the primary medical condition causing it. Also methods such as regular dental hygiene with brushing teeth after food, rinsing of mouth helps. Increasing fibre (salads and fruits) content in food also helps in cleaning base of the tongue and hence reduces bad breath. Probiotics such as butter milk, yoghurts etc also help in keeping the proportion of the good bacteria up in the gut and helps in reducing halitosis. If halitosis persists inspite of these regular good oral habits, then medical attention should be sought immediately.'

Image source: Shutterstock

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