Each person has their own specific body odor. According to one theory, it is the scent that attracts people of the opposite sex to us, and we subconsciously choose our soul mate based on the smell. The aroma emanating from the human body is influenced by many factors: gender, age, food consumed, bad habits, hygiene, as well as the state of functioning of internal organs and systems.
Often the person himself or those close to him notice that a rather unpleasant smell of vinegar has begun to emanate from his body. In this article, we will tell you what reasons may contribute to this phenomenon, and how you can get rid of this specific phenomenon.
Causes of bad breath
The most harmless reason may be a simple lack of oral hygiene. Bacteria that multiply in the mouth and the waste products they produce cause bad breath. This problem is quite easy to fix. It is enough to start regularly caring for your mouth so that unpleasant odors when breathing disappear.
However, there are also more dangerous reasons. For example, a sour smell may indicate a stomach illness. This may be a signal of developing gastritis, or even a harbinger of an incipient stomach ulcer - in any case, there is increased stomach acidity. A persistent rotten smell may indicate intestinal problems. The most alarming symptom is the presence of the smell of acetone when breathing. If a person has an odor of acetone from his breath, the reasons for this may be different. Let's look at the most common of them.
What do smells “hint” at? We pay attention and respond in a timely manner
1. The smell of ammonia from the mouth The most severe and serious (from a health point of view) is the smell of ammonia from the mouth, which is caused by a number of processes occurring in the body and anaerobic bacteria: trimethylamine, dimethylamine and others. The volatile and pungent odor of ammonia in a person’s breath may appear due to kidney disease or a hereditary disease in which the patient’s body cannot correctly metabolize trimethylamine from foods eaten, especially those rich in choline. In the second case, bad breath appears immediately after eating and goes away when the digestive organs have completely processed the food.
Ammonia breathing is common to all people who have been diagnosed with:
- glomerular nephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli)
- acute or chronic renal failure
- stones in the kidneys
- pyelonephritis
The complexity of kidney diseases is that they usually develop against the background of some other disorders or are a sign of general disorders. Therefore, going only to a nephrologist may not end the matter. If an ammonia odor appears in your breath, you should contact your physician, who will refer you to the right specialist. 2. The smell of pus from the mouth
But the smell of pus from the mouth can be caused by quite a few anaerobic microorganisms. At the same time, experts distinguish several specific features of purulent breath: a sharp unpleasant odor (most likely caused by propyl mercaptan), sweetish purulent breath, and so on. And most importantly, it’s not just the breath that can be purulent; patients often feel a similar taste on the tongue, when swallowing saliva, or in the mouth.
What does this smell mean? About problems with the respiratory system. And, by the way, such a symptom is also not uncommon in children. Sinusitis, sinusitis, especially advanced stages, inflamed polyps, adenoids, tonsil plugs, and so on. If a child or adult detects similar breathing or complaints about the taste of pus in the nasopharynx, you should contact a laryngootoringologist (ENT), and you may also have to visit a pulmonologist. 3. The smell of vinegar from the mouth Vinegar breath - sharp, sometimes sweetish-sour, exhaled air is also not uncommon. If such a smell does not have a strong specificity and occurs periodically before eating (on an empty stomach), then most likely there are no problems with the functioning of the organs. To get rid of it, you need to drink more water or liquid between meals. It’s all about hunger and “dryness” of the body, so many people experience rumbling in the stomach or cramps.
But if the smell is constant, then this indicates problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Vinegar breath occurs when:
- disorders of acid-base balance in the human body
problems with the pancreas
for intestinal disorders or prolonged fasting
when using a certain range of medications
This can be the smell of the breath of both a pregnant woman and a baby at any age. Moreover, if a vinegary and at the same time acetone smell appears in the urine, this may indicate diabetes mellitus. In the first case, you need to consult with a gastroenterologist, and at the same time donate blood for analysis in order to exclude or confirm diabetes. 4. Iron odor on the breath A rare symptom is iron odor on the breath or a metallic taste of blood on the tongue. This is a symptom that blood problems are beginning or have already begun in the human body. This disease is called anemia or anemia. However, now we are talking about a sharp and constant smell, but if a person feels it for several hours after eating, then this indicates problems with food intake - the person overeats, which forces the stomach to work under increased stress. To rule out the problem, you need to see a therapist and get a referral for a complete blood test.
By the way, the smell of iodine from the mouth is also a rare symptom. And it is most often observed in children under one year of age, although adults can also complain of iodine breath. It is caused by the intestinal bacterium Klebsiella, which is one of the elements of healthy intestinal microflora. If the body is weakened by diseases or the functioning of internal organs is disrupted, then the fight between “bad” and “good” bacteria occurs with a clear advantage of the former. Klebsiella - actively reproduces. A pediatrician, a gastroenterologist, and a stool test can help. 5. The smell of eggs from the mouth The unpleasant smell of eggs from the mouth is a clear sign of putrefactive dyspepsia. This disease is caused by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive disorders. It is worth considering that disturbances and disorders can be caused by a number of gastrointestinal ailments, so diagnosis and treatment should not be delayed. A gastroenterologist will help eliminate the disease and its main symptom. 6. The smell of urine from the mouth The smell of urine from the mouth or uremic breath also indicates a specific disease. It appears with gastrointestinal dysfunction and uremia (most often). Bad breath occurs because bacteria multiply in saliva and on the mucous membranes of the mouth, causing a volatile odor of ammonia. And it appears in saliva from urea.
And finally, the smell of feces from the mouth occurs due to intestinal obstruction or nervousness, dysbacteriosis. Such breathing indicates that toxins are not removed from the body, but accumulated. In the last two cases, a gastroenterologist will help solve the problem and eliminate the symptom.
Do not forget that bad breath, the causes of which have just been discussed, does not arise just like that. It signals trouble. And if there are no problems with oral hygiene, the health of teeth and gums, then you should immediately consult a specialist.
Diabetes
With diabetes mellitus, the following pathological changes occur in the body:
- In type 1 diabetes, the human pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin, which is necessary for the absorption of glucose, in the required amount.
- In type 2, insulin is produced in the required amount, glucose is broken down normally, but the cells still cannot absorb it.
In both of these cases, glucose accumulates in the blood and is excreted from the body in urine. And the body’s cells are left without glucose supply and begin to experience “energy hunger.”
To replenish energy losses, the body begins to actively break down fats and proteins. As a result, during these chemical processes, acetone begins to be released, and its organic components - ketones - begin to accumulate in the blood, poisoning the body from the inside. As a result, ketones cause weakness, dizziness, etc. acetone smell. At the same time, acetone can also smell not only from the mouth, but also from the urine and skin of a diabetic patient.
Accordingly, if you smell of acetone, you should immediately seek advice from an endocrinologist, and also get tested for sugar and ketones. After all, timely detection of a disease such as diabetes is very important for its subsequent effective treatment.
Causes
We present to your attention the reasons why an increased amount of acetone enters the blood.
Long period of fasting
This includes those diets that are of increased severity. For example, refusing to consume food that includes protein or eating a separate type of food, and so on. The smell of acetone from the oral cavity can make itself felt during the initial stage of tumor development, as well as during the development of an infectious disease. All scenarios require that a person seek help from specialists.
Fasting and diets
The same unpleasant effect can also appear during “therapeutic fasting”. When a person goes on a strict diet, he deprives his cells of their usual energy supply. Such a disruption in the usual diet causes a shock in the body, and in order to replenish energy costs, it begins to actively process internal reserves of fat and protein (muscle). As a result, the level of ketones in the blood again jumps.
A similar thing can happen when a person goes on a “carbohydrate diet” - he sharply limits the intake of carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cereals, etc.). The result is the same: deprived of such important energy material as carbohydrates, the body begins to replenish it from internal reserves of fats and proteins. It also happens that a person himself, having given up carbohydrates in his diet, begins to “lean” more closely on fatty and meat foods, satisfying the feeling of hunger.
Metallic smell
Metallic breath can be caused by a number of external or pathological reasons. The most famous and widespread of them are presented below.
Exogenous causes:
- Using low-quality cookware, which, when heated strongly, extracts metal ions;
- Increased content of metal ions in water due to poor old water supply or the characteristics of the aquifer from which it is drawn;
- The use of a number of medications - from vitamins and antihistamines to metronidazole and tetracycline;
- Food poisoning. We can talk about expired goods, as well as fish and seafood caught in environmentally unfavorable areas of the sea or ocean with a high content of heavy metal salts;
- Dehydration, also accompanied by weakness, dizziness;
- The period of pregnancy against the background of a shift in hormonal levels;
- Anemia is a lack of certain substances, microelements, etc. in the body;
- Special labor activity related to the extraction of a number of minerals, metal processing, etc.;
- Constantly wearing low-quality external products that release metal ions into the skin - bracelets, watches and jewelry.
Pathological:
- Dental problems. Poor-quality braces, fillings, and other implants, stomatitis, caries, bleeding gums, glossitis, gingivitis;
- Pathologies of ENT organs. From pharyngitis and otitis to sinusitis;
- Gastrointestinal diseases. Low acidity, partial failure of the liver, gall bladder, wire ulcers, gastritis;
- Diabetes. A metallic taste indicates a significant increase in glucose levels;
- Other diseases, syndromes, pathologies - from allergic manifestations and neoplasms to fungal infections and neurological spectrum disorders.
If you smell iron, it may be due to:
- rusty water - old communications saturate the liquid with metal particles;
- low-quality metal utensils;
- vitamins and medications with high iron content;
If the smell of blood appears in the mouth for no objective reason, diabetes can be suspected.
The smell of metal is associated with oral problems - stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis.
How to delete?
To get rid of metallic breath, take care of your health and pay attention to your lifestyle.
- Install coarse and fine water filters at home.
- Throw away old pots, pans and bowls.
- If you are taking medications, the stench can be masked with sprays or chewing gum.
- Take advantage of professional oral hygiene.
Kidney diseases
The accumulation of ketones in the blood is possible if there are diseases of the urinary tract and, in particular, kidneys. When dysfunction of the renal canals occurs in the kidneys, a process of changes in metabolism occurs, including fat metabolism. During this process, the blood becomes oversaturated with them and there is an excess of ketones in it. Ketones also accumulate in the urine, giving the urine that same strong ammonia smell. This symptom can develop with nephrosis or with dystrophy of kidney function.
Nephrosis can develop either on its own or as a companion to such a dangerous infectious disease as tuberculosis. Therefore, when, along with an unpleasant odor, you begin to experience swelling (especially in the morning), pain in the lower back (in the kidney area), difficulty urinating - it is better to immediately consult a doctor and take all the tests he prescribed - timely treatment of nephrosis will allow avoid other, more dangerous kidney complications.
Sour body odor from a breastfeeding baby
In most cases, the specific sour aroma, reminiscent of vinegar, emanating from the body of a newborn baby is a consequence of the fact that a few drops of mother's milk or a special formula for feeding have flowed down the collar or into the baby's ear. Even a few milliliters of such liquid can coagulate and emit a similar odor.
Meanwhile, in some situations, such symptoms may indicate rickets - a rather serious disease that is often diagnosed in boys and girls under two years of age.
If this disease is not treated in time, it can cause serious complications.
Therefore, if you notice that your child regularly has an unpleasant vinegar odor, immediately consult a doctor for an examination and a detailed examination.
Finally, sometimes this characteristic trait is simply a genetic trait that is passed down through generations. Most likely, the child will outgrow it after a while.
Thyroid diseases
The presence of excess ketones in the blood can also be a sign of thyroid disease. This disease is known as thyrotoxicosis and is caused by increased secretion of thyroid hormones. Its other signs are excessive irritability, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. Externally, this disease can be identified by dry hair and skin, periodic or constant tremors of the limbs.
Such patients, despite the absence of appetite disturbances, lose weight very quickly and develop problems with the digestive tract. This leads to problems with the breakdown of proteins and fats. As a result, the same toxic ketones accumulate in the blood. If you suspect thyrotoxicosis, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist so that he can prescribe you a full examination to identify this disease.
As can be seen from the above, the smell of acetone from the mouth is almost always a direct sign of metabolic disorders - fats and proteins. The cause of such a disorder in the body can be very different diseases, including very dangerous ones.
Smell of medicine
The specific odor of medicine from the mouth of an adult can be caused by a number of reasons. The most typical:
- Problems with the digestive system caused by too strict a diet, fasting;
- Dehydration due to taking a number of medications;
- A wide range of pathologies of the kidneys, liver, bile ducts;
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, with a shift in hormonal levels;
- Various anemias – acute shortages of certain beneficial microelements and substances;
- Dental problems caused by poor quality therapy or orthodontic pathologies of the dentition.
Child smells of acetone
The smell of acetone from a child’s mouth is not uncommon. Approximately 20% of children of different ages periodically suffer from the presence of an unpleasant odor of acetone.
The main reasons for this may be pathological changes in the functioning of the pancreas, poor nutrition of children, chronic stress, and nervous tension. So, when changing kindergarten, school, or place of residence, children experience great nervous overload. In such stressful situations, the level of acetone derivatives in the baby’s blood may increase.
In addition, the accumulation of ketones in the body of children can occur as a result of disturbances in the intestinal system. One of the reasons may be helminthiasis - infection of the child with worms, intestinal dysbiosis, and so on. In addition, this can serve as a warning about the onset of an acute respiratory disease, inflammation of the ear, nose and throat (ENT organs).
A similar smell of acetone from the mouth can occur in children, as well as in adults, with the development of diabetes mellitus, diseases of the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. With diseases of the gastrointestinal system, which are accompanied by diarrhea, the child experiences very rapid dehydration of the body. There is a rapid concentration of ketones in the blood, which poison the child’s body. The so-called acetonemic syndrome develops, accompanied by vomiting. The reason for the appearance of such a smell can be diseases of the child’s teeth and gums.
Particular attention is required if a baby smells of acetone from the mouth. Due to the fact that an infant cannot yet complain about the cause of his illness, parents of the infant should be especially attentive. Most often, the smell of acetone from the mouth appears in infants when the bacterial balance in the intestines and stomach is disturbed. This can be caused during breastfeeding by an increased level of fat content in mother's milk, or when starting to feed the baby - by the fact that he was offered too fatty foods. For example, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, milk with a high fat content.
Therefore, you need to immediately pay attention to the baby’s health if you notice that his breath smells of acetone. Such a child must be shown to a pediatrician, who will prescribe all the necessary examinations. As a rule, they include blood and urine tests for sugar (to detect diabetes), stool analysis (for the presence of worms and dysbacteriosis). Treatment in such cases must be carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, because such a smell of acetone from the mouth is just a side effect of a more serious problem with the child’s body.
Komarovsky about the problem and causes
The reasons for the appearance of unpleasant amber from a child’s mouth can be different. But almost all of them ultimately come down to the fact that the smell is a consequence of the proliferation of bacteria in the oral cavity. In this case, microbes release special substances containing sulfur components. It is this substance that is responsible for the bad smell. Typically, saliva has a detrimental effect on microbes; it literally paralyzes them and prevents them from multiplying. But if the properties of saliva, its composition are disturbed, the saliva itself is not enough, then the bacteria feel like “masters of the situation.”
A lack of saliva or a change in its chemical composition leads not only to the appearance of an unpleasant odor, but also to the occurrence of certain bacterial infections - in the nose, larynx, bronchi and trachea, in the ears, for example. And this is quite natural, since multiplying harmful microorganisms need a new living space; the oral cavity is no longer enough for them.
Officially, medicine names diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as one of the reasons for the appearance of bad breath, but Evgeniy Komarovsky is convinced that there is no such relationship at all. If only for the reason that the smell from the esophagus cannot penetrate into the mouth through a special “valve” that closes the digestive organs.
But the food that the child took can greatly affect the occurrence of the smell. For example, if he ate garlic, grapes. This smell should not cause concern, as it goes away on its own.
Bad breath can also be a concomitant symptom of diseases of the nose, or rather the maxillary sinuses. Then the stench is associated with the accumulation of pus in them. The same symptom accompanies a sore throat, when bacterial inflammatory processes occur in the tonsils and larynx. Even with an ordinary slight runny nose, the child begins to breathe through his mouth, the saliva dries up, and pathogenic microbes receive a favorable environment for reproduction.
Dr. Komarovsky will tell you the main reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the next video.
The most obvious cause of bad breath is dental problems. The easiest way to install it is to carefully examine the teeth, and if you notice the beginning of caries, swelling of the gums, their redness, swelling, you should go to an appointment with a pediatric dentist. Once the cause is eliminated, the smell will disappear the same day.
In addition, there are other reasons, which specialists - doctors will help to establish during a personal appointment.
The specificity of smell plays an important role in diagnosis. For example, the smell of acetone may be a sign of acetone syndrome, diabetes, or problems with the gallbladder. The sweetish smell should be the most alarming, as it is often accompanied by serious liver pathologies, hepatitis, and severe exhaustion of the body.
The smell of ammonia from the mouth may indicate possible problems with the liver, metabolism, or excess proteins that the child receives from food. And the smell of drugs is usually not dangerous; it quite naturally occurs when taking certain medications, for example, vitamins or antibiotics.
In any case, a child’s bad breath cannot be ignored. The sooner you contact your pediatrician for a personal appointment, the faster he will determine the cause and help you choose treatment tactics. The downside of modern healthcare is that doctors, unfortunately, determine the nature and intensity of bad breath empirically by sniffing themselves. For accurate diagnosis, you need a special device that determines the amount of sulfur in the exhaled air.
But the stool, blood and urine tests beloved by our children's doctors, which prescribe all children with complaints of bad breath, are completely useless. This ritual is rather a tribute to the tradition of the old pediatric school. They are done because it is customary to do them every time you go to the clinic with any complaints.
Treatment
In the case of liver damage and diabetes, as well as other serious causes of odor, you should follow all the recommendations of your doctor. If the reason is a violation of the microflora of the oral cavity, you can cope on your own.
Getting rid of such a bad smell is quite simple, says a famous pediatrician. It is enough to be attentive to the air humidity in the apartment where the child lives. Too dry air dries out the mouth. It is best to maintain the air humidity level in the house at around 50-70%. For this, Evgeniy Olegovich recommends buying a special device - a humidifier.
To maintain sufficient saliva production, Evgeny Komarovsky advises giving your child lemon water - plain water or still mineral water with the addition of lemon juice and a large lemon slice. The acidic environment will irritate the taste buds, saliva will begin to be produced more actively in response to irritation and microbes in the oral cavity will not be happy. The doctor emphasizes that sometimes it is enough just to show the child a slice of lemon if he is already familiar with its taste. In this situation, saliva begins to be released reflexively.
If there is an unpleasant odor due to a runny nose, the doctor recommends doing saline nasal rinses and giving the child more to drink. As soon as nasal breathing is restored, the saliva will stop drying out.
Adviсe
- Saliva will be released in sufficient quantities to resist microbes if the child has a normal drinking regime and the parents do not allow dehydration.
- Most of the bacteria that are responsible for halitosis live on the tongue and the inside of the cheeks, especially if there is plaque on them. If the child’s age allows, the doctor advises teaching the child to clean the tongue using a special brush.
- To brush your child’s teeth, choose a toothpaste with a pleasant pine aroma and completely avoid mouth rinses that contain alcohol, as they additionally dry out the oral mucosa.
- There is a myth, especially perpetuated by grandparents, that a child's close contact with pet cats and dogs can cause bad breath. Four-legged animals have absolutely nothing to do with it; there is no need to kick out the cat or give the dog into good hands.
- Unpleasant smell
- Doctor Komarovsky
- Smell of acetone
medical reviewer, psychosomatics specialist, mother of 4 children
{SOURCE}
General information
When a person's breath suddenly begins to smell acetone , it is a cause for justifiable concern. This substance has a specific, recognizable aroma, so it is very easy to distinguish what acetone smells like. And since this smell comes from the air from a person’s lungs, even very thorough brushing of teeth does not get rid of this manifestation.
Acetone breath is a sign of certain diseases and conditions of the body. Some conditions are normal from a physiological point of view and are not dangerous. But there are a number of diseases in which the smell of acetone is felt from the mouth, which is undoubtedly a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor and proper treatment.
What does vinegar taste in mouth mean?
Vinegar odor from the mouth is not uncommon. It can occur in both adults and children. “Vinegar” breath is a sharp, sometimes sweet-tinged exhaled air.
A similar smell can occur in the morning, when a person is hungry and has not eaten anything yet; as a rule, this smell accompanies us constantly. If the smell of vinegar appears only when you feel hungry or have a rumbling stomach, there is no reason to panic. A person just needs to adhere to the drinking regime between meals; water eliminates the “dryness” of the body, which provokes a feeling of hunger and rumbling in the stomach.
Breath may briefly smell like vinegar in women during pregnancy, as well as in children, regardless of age. If an unpleasant odor is constantly felt, the body gives a signal about a disruption in the functioning of the digestive tract. More details below.
How is acetone formed in the human body?
The bulk of energy in the body comes from glucose . The blood carries glucose throughout the body, and thus it enters all tissues and cells. But if there is not enough glucose, or there are reasons that prevent it from entering the cells, the body looks for other sources of energy. Typically these are fats. After their breakdown occurs, various substances, including acetone, enter the bloodstream. It is with this process that the causes of acetone in the blood in adults and children are associated.
After this substance appears in the blood, the kidneys and lungs begin to secrete it. Consequently, the test for acetone in the urine becomes positive, a strong smell of urine is felt, and the air that a person exhales gives off the aroma of pickled apples - a characteristic aroma of acetone or the smell of vinegar from the mouth appears.
The main reasons for the appearance of a characteristic odor:
- fasting , dieting, severe dehydration;
- hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus ;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- thyroid diseases;
- predisposition to acetonemia in children.
Let's consider the listed reasons in more detail.
Starvation
Sometimes it seems that in the modern world almost everyone goes on diets from time to time - both women and men. Some people practice even more extreme methods to get rid of extra pounds by practicing fasting. It is by adhering to diets that have nothing to do with medical indications or doctor’s recommendations that over time people notice a deterioration in their health and unpleasant changes in appearance.
If a person tries to completely eliminate carbohydrates from the diet, this can cause a lack of energy and too active breakdown of fats. As a result, an excess of harmful substances is formed in the body, intoxication , and all organs and systems will function differently from those of a healthy person.
When following a very strict no-carb diet, you may notice many negative changes over time. dizziness and severe irritability appear It is after such diets that the smell of acetone appears from the mouth.
Anyone who wants to lose weight should first visit a doctor and consult with him about a possible diet. You definitely need to go to specialists and those who are already noticing the negative consequences of diets.
Those who are losing weight must remember the most dangerous nutritional systems and diets:
- The Kremlin diet - it provides for a very serious restriction of carbohydrates. Preference is given to protein foods. The diet is unbalanced and dangerous for the body.
- The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet for a long time. Carbohydrate intake is intentionally limited so that the body switches its metabolism to use fat as energy fuel. With such a nutritional system, the level of ketone bodies , a person often feels weak, and develops digestive problems.
- Kim Protasov's diet lasts five weeks; the basis of the diet during this time is fiber and protein foods. The amount of fat and carbohydrates consumed is very low.
- Protein diet - sticking to it, you need to eat exclusively protein foods. This diet is extremely dangerous for health. Fans of this diet justify its safety by the fact that it is not long-term - no more than two weeks. However, even during this period a person can significantly undermine his health.
- French diet - with this food system, dietary meat, fish, herbs, vegetables, and fruits are allowed. Sweets, fruit juices, and bread are prohibited. Moreover, daily food portions are very small. Therefore, already within the 14 expected days of the diet, the body’s condition may worsen.
Diabetes
It is with this serious disease that the smell of acetone most often appears from the mouth of adults. In diabetes, there is an excess of sugar in the blood that does not penetrate into the cells due to insulin deficiency. As a result, a dangerous condition for the body develops called diabetic ketoacidosis . This happens if the blood glucose level is more than 16 mmol per liter.
The following signs of diabetic ketoacidosis are noted:
- positive test for acetone in urine;
- aroma of acetone from the mouth;
- abdominal pain;
- feeling of intense thirst;
- vomit;
- depression of consciousness, coma .
If such symptoms develop, seek emergency help immediately. After all, if you do not provide medical care to a patient with ketoacedosis, he can fall into a deep coma and even die.
Pay special attention to the smell and taste of acetone in the mouth for people who have the following risk factors:
- newly discovered type 1 diabetes mellitus ;
- diabetes mellitus type 2 , provided that insulin is administered incorrectly and untimely;
- surgical interventions, infectious diseases, pregnancy and childbirth in people with type 2 diabetes.
It is important to understand that this manifestation can be a serious signal. Therefore, if the taste and smell of acetone appears in the conditions described above, it is important to immediately consult a doctor, who will determine the causes of the taste of acetone in the mouth.
Treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis is as follows:
- Insulin is administered - this is the main part of the treatment. For this purpose, long-term administration of the drug using a dropper is practiced.
- Treat dehydration.
- Take measures aimed at maintaining the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
To prevent the development of ketoacidosis, people with diabetes must strictly follow all the recommendations of their doctor, take insulin on time and promptly respond to all alarming symptoms.
Thyroid diseases
If, due to disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland, the breath smells like acetone and the smell of acetone appears in the nose, then such signs should be considered an alarming signal.
In people suffering from hyperthyroidism , the production of thyroid hormones is too active. As a rule, a person takes medications to normalize this process. But sometimes the production of hormones occurs too actively, and as a result, metabolic processes in the body accelerate. As a rule, this happens in the following cases:
- if hyperthyroidism is combined with surgery on the thyroid gland;
- after severe stress;
- during pregnancy and childbirth;
- due to inaccurate examination of the gland.
What diseases can cause a vinegar taste?
Why does an adult smell of vinegar from the mouth, what are the reasons for this condition? Various pathologies of the digestive system are usually accompanied by different symptoms, including an unpleasant smell of vinegar. If a person exhales such an aroma for more than a week, this is a signal of the development of certain diseases.
A vinegar smell usually occurs with the following diseases:
- In case of acid-base imbalance, in which the concentration of gastric juice increases.
- Acute or chronic gastritis.
- The functioning of the thyroid gland is disrupted.
- The development of dysbiosis in the intestinal tract, which disrupts the microflora.
- A side effect after taking certain medications.
- If additionally a slight bitterness appears, this indicates dysfunction in the gallbladder.
- Sometimes this is a symptom of kidney disease.
- The most common cause of this condition is the development of diabetes mellitus.
In addition to diseases of the digestive system, other diseases can cause this symptom:
- symptoms of diseases of the oral cavity and tongue can be supplemented by a sour odor, this includes diseases of the gums and teeth - caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity;
- We can also talk about disorders within the body if vinegar is smelled in the urine. In this case, the smell is a sign of the development of diabetes;
- with disorders of the thyroid gland, such a symptom is not uncommon;
- if a person often follows carbohydrate-free or low-carbohydrate diets for a long time;
- changes in the body after suffering intense emotional stress.
It is important to find out the cause and exclude or confirm the presence of diseases in which such a change occurs. Since this is a sign of some dangerous health conditions, in order to solve the problem you need to contact a specialist - a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, therapist, dentist. If the cause is bacteria that are actively developing in the oral cavity, you may need dental treatment or adjustments in the selection of hygiene products (not only toothpaste, but also mouthwash).
Determination of acetone in urine
It’s easy to detect bad breath – acetone has a specific aroma. It is easy to find out whether there are ketone bodies in the urine. This can be checked using special tests.
To determine this indicator yourself, you need to buy a test strip for acetone in urine. Special Uriket can be purchased at any pharmacy. This strip should be placed in a container with urine. Collect urine carefully to avoid foam. And depending on the concentration of ketone bodies, the color of the tester will change. Accordingly, the more saturated the color of the strip, the higher the concentration of ammonia in the urine.
Methods of therapy
In most cases, to eliminate acetone smell from the mouth, you must first identify the cause of the disease, and then undergo an appropriate course of drug therapy. Traditional medicine can be used as an addition to the main treatment if approved by the attending physician.
Regardless of the cause of the disease, one of its dangerous manifestations is dehydration. Therefore, the sick person needs to drink water, dried fruit compotes or other drinks that do not irritate the stomach as often as possible in small portions.
Medication
Depending on the cause of the pathology, its treatment differs greatly. So, for example, in case of diabetes, it is important to administer insulin as quickly as possible, and in case of childhood acetonomia, on the contrary, give the child glucose and some kind of sorbent (for example, enterosgel or activated carbon). Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Enterosgel is used for childhood acetonomia
The doctor prescribes appropriate treatment after receiving the results of all diagnostic studies.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine can be used for mild forms of acetonomia, if it is known for certain that the disease is caused, for example, by fasting, and not by any serious disorder in the functioning of the internal organs. Such remedies will only help cope with the unpleasant odor, and not its causes.
To eliminate the characteristic bad breath in the morning, it is useful to drink infusions and decoctions of rose hips, as well as juices of cranberries and sea buckthorn. This will improve metabolic processes in the body and stimulate the immune system.
Eating blackberries is also beneficial. It contains vitamins C and E, organic acids and is useful not only for the entire body as a whole, but also for eliminating the acetone odor, in particular.
During fasting, the acetone smell will be eliminated by berry or fruit juices and decoctions, as well as infusions of medicinal herbs.
You can cope with childhood acetonomy at home. To do this, at first it is advisable not to feed the baby, but instead of food, offer him as much drink as possible, but in small doses. Compotes made from dried fruits and alkaline mineral water without gas will be especially useful. In order to stop vomiting, you can do an enema with a soda solution (1 teaspoon per liter of water). To maintain the required amount of glucose in the body, you need to buy the appropriate 40% composition at the pharmacy, dilute it in water or give it to drink in its pure form. You can check the amount of acetone with special test strips. When it normalizes, you can move from therapeutic measures to a special diet.
In the first three days, you can only have oatmeal with water and crackers. Then for a week you are allowed to eat vegetable soups, purees, berry fruit drinks and baked apples. After this, it is advisable not to eat fatty fried foods, as well as soda and chips for another month.
If there is a high level of acetone in the urine and it is impossible to relieve the symptoms on your own, hospitalization is required, as this is a sign of either severe food poisoning or the development of a serious disease. If measures are not taken, severe intoxication and dehydration will occur, which can lead to various unpleasant consequences, including coma and even death.
Why does the smell of acetone appear on the breath of children?
There may be many answers to the question of why your breath smells like acetone. If the causes of the smell of acetone from the mouth of an adult are associated with the conditions discussed above, then the smell of acetone from the mouth of a child is felt due to other reasons.
If a child is predisposed to acetonemia, he periodically develops such an odor. These manifestations periodically occur in children under eight years of age. As a rule, such bad breath in a 1-year-old child, at 2 years old, and in older children appears after an infectious disease or poisoning has been suffered, and the body temperature has risen to high levels. The reasons for the smell of acetone in a child’s mouth are due to the fact that his energy reserves are limited. And if a baby with a predisposition to acetonemia gets sick with an acute respiratory disease or other infectious disease, he may not have enough glucose for the body to fight the disease.
Typically, children with this predisposition have low blood sugar levels. If the body is attacked by an infectious disease, these indicators decrease even further. As a result, the process of active breakdown of fats begins in order to obtain additional energy. In this case, substances are formed that subsequently enter the blood, and acetone is among them. With a large amount of acetone, even a child may experience symptoms of poisoning - nausea, vomiting. This can happen to a baby under one year old, and to an older child. These signs disappear on their own after recovery.
You can find out more about why your child’s breath smells like acetone by visiting a doctor and undergoing the necessary tests. Many experts talk about this, including Evgeny Komarovsky. But conscious parents still need to consult a doctor about this. You need to consult about the smell of acetone in a small child, and about problems with the pancreas, and about the development of diabetes mellitus , and about other serious conditions.
Treatment at home
If a person smells vinegar from his breath, this may mean he has a number of dangerous diseases. Therefore, the first thing to do for treatment is to consult a doctor and begin the treatment prescribed by him. Without this, treatment at home is not recommended. Otherwise, the condition may worsen and the treatment of the disease that caused the problem may be complicated.
But, after diagnosis, you can resort to the folk recipes listed below.
Folk recipes
First, a few general recommendations that will reduce the likelihood of acidic breath to a minimum:
- regular brushing of teeth and tongue to avoid the accumulation of harmful bacteria;
- rinsing the mouth after eating using special herbal decoctions (water without additives is not suitable);
- Brushing your teeth with dental floss or a toothpick to remove any food particles that have accumulated between your teeth;
- regular consumption of sweet fruits, primarily melon, pear or carrot; reducing the consumption of coffee and black tea, and replacing them with clean water or green tea; Increasing the amount of apples, greens, vegetables and fiber consumed - all this contributes to the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Folk recipes that will help you get rid of the unpleasant smell of vinegar or acetone from your mouth:
- Decoction of alder leaves: recipe: 1 tablespoon of dried and crushed alder leaves is poured into 0.5 liters of boiled water at a temperature of about 70-80 degrees Celsius. The broth is infused for 1 hour and filtered through gauze;
- Directions for use: rinse the mouth 6-10 times a day;
- recipe: 2 tablespoons of sunflower or olive oil are mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt, and everything is mixed until the salt is completely dissolved;
- recipe: 1-2 tablespoons of lemon balm, mint or rosehip leaves are poured with boiling water (about 0.5 liters), cooled and filtered through cheesecloth;
- recipe: 2 teaspoons of alfalfa per 1 cup of boiling water (1 serving);
You can also use fennel, clove and/or cardamom seeds. There is no need to prepare anything here. Simply chew 1 teaspoon of seeds slowly (swallowing is not advisable).
What should parents do if their child is predisposed to acetonemia?
Immediately, as soon as acetone is smelled from the mouth of children, the glucose level should be checked to exclude the development of diabetes. If your blood sugar is elevated, you should contact a specialist and conduct further research.
If the symptoms of acetone in a child are accompanied by infectious diseases, teething, poisoning, the baby should be given sweet tea or sugar. It is recommended to reduce the amount of fatty foods on the menu. In this case, it is possible to treat children with acetone at home, but only if all serious illnesses are excluded.
If the aroma of acetone is not strong, you should initially make sure that it is increased. You can use test strips for this.
Answering the question of how to treat acetone in children if they are bothered by vomiting and other symptoms of intoxication appear, we note that experts advise giving the baby oral rehydration solutions. You need to give him such drugs every 15 minutes, a few spoons. You can use medications Regidron , Oralit .
For parents who are wondering what to do if their child’s acetone is elevated, it is important not to panic about this. As a rule, such signs gradually disappear by school age.
But it is still important to act according to a certain scheme in order not to miss the development of serious diseases. What to do if your baby’s breath stinks of acetone? You must adhere to the following algorithm:
- If we are talking about a child under 10 years old, you need to determine the blood sugar level.
- If the child is healthy, diabetes has been ruled out, and he smells acetone for the first time, you should give the child sweet tea. Drinks containing sugar should be given to the baby during vomiting, infections, or after stress.
- If a child has diabetes mellitus, the smell of acetone is a signal to urgently consult a doctor - in this case, you need to call an ambulance. When the baby gets help, it is necessary to adjust his diet and treatment.
- For teenagers and adults who have trouble breathing, it is important to have their liver and kidneys examined.
- Those who have this symptom associated with diet or fasting should include more carbohydrate foods in their menu.
It is important to understand that the aroma of acetone from the mouth is an important signal from the body, and it should never be ignored.
A strong smell of acetone from the mouth is a serious reason to put everything aside and take care of your health. This is a symptom that, if ignored, can sometimes cost a person his life . What can cause such a problem, and what steps should be taken to eliminate it?
Preventive measures
To prevent the appearance of bad breath in a child and an adult, you should strictly follow all the rules of personal hygiene - thoroughly clean your teeth and interdental space, use rinses, and clean the surface of your tongue.
It is also recommended to change your diet. Include a large amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the menu. You also need to eat cereals and foods that contain large amounts of calcium and fluoride. Minimize coffee, chocolate, legumes, tomatoes, wine and sour fruits in your diet. Be sure to follow a drinking regime, consuming a sufficient amount of fluid per day to prevent dry body syndrome, if any, and the appearance of associated manifestations.
Chief author and editor-in-chief: Makarskaya S.E., 29 years of experience.
How does acetone smell?
The lungs not only serve to carry out breathing processes, they also perform an excretory function. This means that when exhaling, molecules of volatile substances contained in the blood are removed from the human body with the flow of air. That is why the smell of acetone from the mouth indicates that the composition of the blood has changed.
They come in three types, depending on the phase of the biochemical reaction:
- First, β-hydroxybutyrate is formed in the liver.
- Under the influence of enzymes, acetoacetic acid is formed from it.
- Acetoacetic acid breaks down into carbon dioxide and acetone, and in this form the substances are excreted in the urine, then and through the lungs.
Acetic odor of sweat in men
According to their physiological characteristics, men sweat more than women, and their sweat secretion has a stronger aroma. Why do completely healthy men in excellent physical shape have a sour stench in their bodies?
When sweat smells strongly of vinegar, the reasons for men may be the following:
- long-term use of medications, which results in increased sweating;
- excess weight often causes the appearance of a vinegar “flavor”;
- an excess of smoked, fatty, spicy and salty foods in the diet, which are preferred by many men;
- sweat smells like vinegar in men who drink beer in large quantities daily;
- An unpleasant smell with a vinegar aroma can be caused by wearing synthetic shirts and socks;
- Irregular washing and insufficient attention to the hygiene of your body contributes to the appearance of an unpleasant pungent odor due to the proliferation of microorganisms on the skin.
When none of these factors are observed, why does sweat smell like vinegar? This smell in men can be triggered by stressful situations, as a result of which the release of adrenaline significantly increases. In addition, the effect of a sour stench can be enhanced by increased physical activity or chronic fatigue.
If you respond in a timely manner to why sweat smells like vinegar in men, this will help you avoid pathological changes occurring in the body.
What diseases can cause an acetone smell?
As a result of the described biochemical reactions, the same acetone that is used in the paint and varnish industry and solvents is released into the human blood, but its concentration is relatively low. However, the presence of this substance is dangerous for humans and leads to the development of acetone syndrome - a set of symptoms caused by metabolic disorders and poisoning.
Bad breath requires treatment, and the task of doctors is to establish the exact causes of this phenomenon and eliminate them.
The smell of acetone from the mouth may indicate the presence of serious diseases of the internal organs . Timely diagnostic methods allow you to quickly identify a disease that manifests itself with a similar symptom. Let's consider what can provoke such a pathology.
Diabetes
In diabetes mellitus, the smell of acetone from the mouth may appear as a result of following a therapeutic diet, which involves restricting foods rich in carbohydrates. The body compensates for the energy deficit obtained from carbohydrate foods by breaking down fats and a chain of reactions is launched , the end product of which is acetone.
In addition, in insulin-dependent diabetes, the level of acetone in the blood may increase if the patient misses insulin injections. The fact is that this hormone takes part in the process of glycolysis, that is, without it, the body cannot process carbohydrates to meet the energy needs of cells.
Liver diseases
Liver diseases, accompanied by disruption of the basic functions of this organ, can also cause an alarming symptom. The affected organ is unable to cope with toxic substances , resulting in intoxication, manifested in general malaise, nausea, vomiting, and the breath smells of acetone.
Kidney diseases
Typically , acetone is excreted from the blood in the urine . Dysfunction of the urinary system leads to defects in cleansing the body. Some kidney diseases are accompanied by an increased level of acetone, but with timely medical care, the patient’s condition normalizes.
Thyroid diseases
The thyroid gland produces hormones that take part in metabolism. A deficiency or excess of these hormones leads to an increased level of ketone bodies in the blood , which is why the breath smells like acetone.
Oncological diseases
Malignant tumors are accompanied by the breakdown of fat and muscle tissue , which manifests itself in the form of a sharp loss of body weight. As a result of the breakdown of proteins, acetone is formed, and due to its high concentration, the kidneys do not have time to effectively remove the substance from the body.
Causes of acetone breath in adults
If a person is bothered by bad breath in the morning, then this is a completely normal phenomenon that occurs as a result of drying out of the oral cavity, as well as processes occurring at the base of the tongue, around it, between the teeth and in the gum pockets. This can be corrected by cleaning your mouth thoroughly or having it checked by your dentist.
The exact opposite is chronic bad breath. This indicates a pathology that cannot be ignored. We will talk in detail about the symptoms, causes and methods of combating in this material.
Before diagnosing yourself, you should make sure that the problem really exists, and that it bothers you all the time, and not just in the morning. If you are ashamed to ask your loved ones about this, then there are several ways when you can determine the severity of this pathology yourself. The fact is that by exhaling and inhaling you cannot always feel the full purity of your own breath, which is why there is a so-called test for bad breath.
How to check your breath odor:
- The usual sharp exhalation into the palms - almost everyone does this to determine the presence of stale breath;
- Run your tongue along your wrist, wait a few seconds and smell your saliva. Often, bad breath will be several times stronger than saliva from the tip of the tongue, where the processes that cause the development of bad breath are inhibited by saliva. As mentioned above, problem areas are located under the tongue, at the far walls of the inside of the cheek, in the gum area and between the teeth;
- Lick a spoon or even place it under your tongue - then by smell it will be possible to more accurately determine the degree of pathology.
To identify signs of halitosis, it is worth taking a closer look at the more serious manifestations of the disease. They will help make sure that it is necessary to start fighting the disease.
Symptoms of pathology:
- White or yellow coating in the mouth and tongue;
- Dry mouth;
- Burning sensation in the mouth;
- When rinsing the cavity there is an unpleasant taste;
- Chronic metallic taste in the mouth (sour, sweet and bitter taste).
Excessive amounts of acetone appear in the body of adults and children as a result of certain reactions. Some of them are natural, and then the smell quickly passes, while others indicate serious abnormalities in the functioning of various organs, and halitosis will haunt the patient until the disease that caused it is cured. It is important to understand: the more intense the acetone odor from an adult’s mouth, the more aggressive the pathological processes develop.
The first question that worries patients in this regard is: where does the smell of acetone come from the breath of an adult? The reasons for the appearance of a strong chemical odor released by the human body are the excessive production of ketones as a response to a stressful situation for the functioning of organs.
Under normal conditions, the blood of adults and children contains only a small amount of ketones, but when there is a lack of energy source - glucose (as well as in cases where the body for some reason cannot absorb this organic compound), fats and carbohydrates.
It is during the breakdown of this “fuel” that ketones, which are intermediate products of metabolic processes, are released into the blood from the liver and lipid tissue. Ketone bodies consist of acetone and a number of other acids.
It is no secret that acetone is toxic, so when there are too many ketone compounds in the blood, an emergency mode of eliminating harmful bodies is activated. Acetone is released not only through the respiratory system, but also through the urinary system, as well as through the sebaceous glands, so adults should pay attention to these symptoms of pathological processes.
The main reasons for increased production of ketone bodies in adults:
- fasting or strict diet;
- food or toxic poisoning;
- stress;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract;
- infectious or inflammatory processes accompanied by high fever.
Possible reasons | Character of the smell | Associated symptoms |
Dental diseases: caries, periodontitis, stomatitis. | Fetid odor with a hint of rot, worse in the morning. | Pain in the teeth, the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane, bleeding. |
Diseases of the urinary organs: nephrosis, pyelonephritis, cystitis. | Reminds me of ammonia. | Lower back pain, fever, discomfort when urinating. |
Sjögren's syndrome. | Unpleasant smell, like caries. | Dry mouth and eyes, photophobia, difficulty swallowing. |
Pathologies of the respiratory system: sinusitis, sinusitis, proliferation of adenoids and polyps, pneumonia, purulent bronchitis, tuberculosis. | Putrid smell. | Pain in the throat or sinuses, mucus secretion, difficulty breathing through the nose, changes in voice and pronunciation of sounds, plaque on the tonsils. |
Liver failure. | Rotten smell of spoiled meat or eggs. | Light-colored feces, dark urine, yellow mucous membranes and skin, bitter taste in the mouth. |
Diseases of the stomach and small intestine: gastritis, ulcers. | Sour breath in an adult or child. | Stomach pain, heartburn, stomach or intestinal bleeding. |
Intestinal dysbiosis. | Putrid smell. | Digestive disorders, accumulation of intestinal gases, flatulence. |
Problems with the pancreas, diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. | Fetid, sour odor mixed with acetone. | Persistent thirst, excessive urination, weakness, accumulation of excess weight. |
Inflammation of internal organs in adults, accompanied by the decomposition of organic compounds, is signaled by a purulent odor.
Most often its causes are:
- sinusitis;
- abscesses;
- adenoids;
- tuberculosis;
- pneumonia;
- tonsillitis;
- inflammation in the oral cavity.
How to get rid of it?
Start getting rid of bad breath by visiting a medical facility and complaining that your breath smells like pus.
Typically, conservative therapy includes the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Vilprafen.
Other causes of acetone odor
The smell of acetone from the mouth is not always associated with dangerous diseases; sometimes it is a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle, genetic or age-related characteristics, as well as other conditions that can be easily corrected without medical help. What can provoke the appearance of acetone in the blood, besides diseases? There are several options.
Firstly, if a person fasts for a long time , the body, in order to provide the cells with the energy necessary for life, breaks down adipose tissue, releasing excessive amounts of acetone into the blood.
Secondly, improper, irregular nutrition and consumption of harmful foods also lead to disruption of metabolic processes. Addiction to low-carbohydrate diets and consumption of sports protein shakes are all prerequisites for the breakdown of fats and the release of large amounts of ketone bodies into the blood.
Thirdly, alcohol abuse is one of the reasons why your breath smells like acetone. Ethyl alcohol, contained in all alcoholic drinks, is broken down by the liver into a number of substances that are excreted from the body.
Moderate alcohol consumption does not lead to such problems, but as a result of alcohol poisoning, dehydration occurs, liver function is impaired and the concentration of toxic substances in the blood increases.
The smell of acetone from the mouth of an adult also appears as a result of grueling training combined with an unbalanced diet. The body runs out of energy reserves, starting to actively process fats.
Dehydration also creates favorable conditions for an increase in acetone. Moreover, as a result of acetone intoxication, the problem of fluid deficiency due to vomiting and diarrhea may worsen.
One cannot ignore such a factor as pregnancy, or rather toxicosis in the first trimester. It can also cause acetone intoxication. If an acetone odor from the mouth appears in the third trimester, this may indicate the development of gestosis (a complication associated with vasospasm and dysfunction of many organs as a result of oxygen starvation).
Prevention measures
In order not to be bothered by acetone breath, you should periodically undergo routine medical examinations and treat diseases that can cause it; in addition, it is also important to monitor your diet and adhere to a few simple rules:
- Avoid too much physical activity, even sports are good in moderation;
- Maintain a daily routine. Any violations are stress for the body, which weakens its natural defenses;
- It is advisable to exclude semi-finished products, fast food and quick snacks. Instead, you need to create a correct and balanced diet;
- It is important to ensure that you get enough sleep;
- Walk outdoors more often.
In general, timely treatment of acetone odor is quite successful and does not leave any health consequences if it was not a symptom of a secondary disease. But if the moment of onset of the disease is missed, this is fraught with the development of serious complications and long-term treatment.
The smell of acetone in children
Acetone syndrome is what doctors call the condition of an organism exposed to the toxic effects of acetone. Most often, such symptoms develop in children, and without any pathological reasons.
The following factors can provoke such a reaction in a child: overwork, poor nutrition, stress, infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic), fever.
In most cases, home, symptomatic treatment is sufficient. However, sometimes an increase in acetone in children indicates the presence of serious diseases.
The smell of vinegar from the human body: reasons
In a healthy person who takes care of personal hygiene, the sweat produced has no odor. But in no way should you blame yourself for uncleanliness if your sweat smells like vinegar. This phenomenon does not at all indicate that a person does not maintain body hygiene. When a person experiences increased sweating and the moisture released smells like vinegar, this is an alarming signal of impaired functioning of the body.
The reasons why your body smells like vinegar can vary. Conventionally, they are divided into two main groups: external and pathological.
External factors for the sour stench of moisture secreted by the sweat glands can be:
- poor nutrition. If a person's daily diet contains large quantities of spicy or sour foods, this can affect the smell of sweat. Excessive consumption of smoked meats, too salty dishes, various kinds of marinades provokes the smell of vinegar from the body;
- changes in the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and skin due to the active proliferation of microorganisms provoked by weather conditions or an unfavorable environmental environment;
- taking medications. Some medications have side effects that include increased sweating. The smell of vinegar often haunts those people who regularly take sedatives, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormonal contraceptives;
- frequent emotional swings. Very often, sweat with the smell of vinegar occurs in people with vegetative-vascular dystonia, who are exposed to frequent neuroses, stressful situations or severe emotional shocks.
Along with this, the unpleasant sour smell of sweat can be caused by all sorts of human diseases, which he may not even be aware of. When the smell of vinegar from the body becomes more and more intense, the reasons for this are most likely pathological in nature.
The most common pathological factors are shown in the table.
Disease | What causes the vinegar smell? | Which doctor should you contact? |
Diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia | The peculiar smell is caused by excessive amounts of sugar. If, along with an unpleasant body odor, you also experience dry mouth and sudden weight gain, then the risks of diabetes are maximum. | Endocrinologist, therapist |
Hormonal imbalance | If the thyroid gland malfunctions, there may be an excess or deficiency of iodine in the body, as a result of which the sweat produced smells like vinegar. In addition, other hormonal changes may be the cause of the unpleasant odor. | Endocrinologist |
Tuberculosis and bronchial diseases | When an inflammatory process develops in the lungs or bronchi, pathogenic bacteria actively multiply in the respiratory organs, as a result of which sweat has a specific smell of vinegar. You should not delay visiting a doctor if, along with an unpleasant stench, you experience general weakness, fever and rapid fatigue | Pulmonologist, therapist |
Avitaminosis | Deficiency of microelements in the body, in particular vitamins B and D, is manifested by a pungent body odor | Immunologist, nutritionist, therapist |
Mastopathy | Tumors form in the mammary glands. This pathology affects mainly women, but in men mastopathy also occurs with severe hormonal imbalances in old age. | Mammologist |
Helminthiasis | Products formed during the life of parasites give the released moisture a sour odor | Therapist |
When a person's sweat smells like vinegar, the causes of sweating manifest differently in women and men. Regardless of gender or age, if you experience a vinegar-like odor from your body, you should immediately get examined by a doctor. This will prevent unpleasant consequences and complications.
Note! The body of men produces a much larger amount of sweat compared to women. Therefore, cases where sweat smells like vinegar affects men more often.
Diagnostics
At home, you can detect an increase in acetone using a special test, which consists of strips soaked in a reagent that changes color when interacting with acetone.
The strips are placed in a container with urine, the result is assessed visually - the more intense the resulting shade, the higher the concentration of ketones. But to prescribe treatment, only a home test is not enough; additional diagnostic measures are required.
The main task of the doctor is to establish the reasons that provoked acetone intoxication . To achieve this, a number of additional studies are being carried out. A clinical blood and urine test may be required, as well as a biochemical test to determine acid-base status.
The survey may include a number of activities:
- Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs to exclude acute surgical pathologies.
- X-ray and MRI of the brain to exclude tumors and neurosurgical problems.
- Tests to exclude infectious diseases.
- Cardiac research.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed individually based on the patient’s clinical picture and complaints, since the smell of acetone from the mouth can be the result of many diseases and pathologies, and accurate determination of the causes is the key to success in treatment.
Treatment Options
You need to take care of your health at any age. If you feel the taste of acetone in your mouth, no matter what causes the acetone syndrome, they need to be found and treated. To verify the increased content of ketone bodies, you need to take blood and urine tests, or use special test strips. A positive result is a reason to undergo a full medical examination to identify hidden diseases.
- If acetone syndrome is caused by carbohydrate starvation, it will be enough to establish proper nutrition and enrich the diet with carbohydrates.
- For problems with the thyroid gland, treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of an endocrinologist. This can be either conservative or surgical intervention.
- If halitosis has developed against the background of an infectious lesion of the body, the patient must be provided with an adequate drinking regime, including solutions of salts and electrolytes.
When your breath smells like acetone, it is recommended not to leave things to chance, but to go to the nearest clinic. Timely diagnosis will allow you to identify health problems in the early stages and successfully treat them.
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Treatment
The strategy of therapeutic measures involves cleansing from ketone bodies , restoring water-salt and acid-base balance. Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, various therapeutic methods are used.
Let's consider the main activities:
- Replenishment of fluid loss , restoration of acid-base and water-salt balance is carried out through the abundant use of saline and alkalizing solutions. If the intake of liquids is accompanied by bouts of vomiting, all solutions are administered intravenously.
- Sorbents are used to quickly remove toxic substances.
- A therapeutic diet enriched with carbohydrates is prescribed. Frequent and small meals are recommended.
Additional therapeutic measures are carried out to eliminate the causes if the increase in acetone is provoked by other diseases and pathologies. In most cases, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting under the supervision of a doctor.
And to get rid of bad breath that is not associated with acetone disease, use other time-tested remedies.
How to get rid of bad breath
Preventive measures to reduce vinegar odor from the mouth include:
- Brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day. Rinse the mouth after brushing with a special product or herbal decoction.
- Rinse with a decoction of alder leaves. Dried and crushed leaves in the amount of 1 tbsp. pour half a liter of boiled water (cooled to 800). Leave the decoction for one hour. Filter through cheesecloth. Rinse your mouth at least six times a day.
- Oil pulling. Vegetable (preferably olive) oil at the rate of 2 tbsp. mix with 1 tsp. salt. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Rinse your mouth in the morning (on an empty stomach) and before bed. The duration of the procedure is 3-5 minutes.
- Fennel can neutralize vinegary breath due to its antimicrobial properties. If you slowly chew fennel seeds (1 tsp), your breath will be freshened and the production of saliva in your mouth will increase. You can add clove and/or cardamom seeds to fennel.
- Herbal decoctions. The smell can be “muffled” by drinking a decoction of lemon balm, mint or rosehip.
- Green or black tea. Tea contains compounds called polyphenols that block bacteria that can cause a vinegary breath odor. It is recommended to drink regular tea and alfalfa tea. Alfalfa contains chlorophyll, which not only destroys specific respiration, but also cleanses the human body of toxins. Tea is prepared at the rate of 2 tsp. dry alfalfa per glass of boiling water. To maintain fresh breath, it is recommended to drink tea at least 3 times a day.
Sweat smells like vinegar: ways to solve the problem
If your sweat smells like vinegar, what does this mean and what rules should you follow to quickly get rid of the discomfort-causing stench?
Increased sweating creates a favorable pathogenic environment for the proliferation of bacteria, which actually emit an unpleasant odor. It is an indisputable fact that when you experience a fetid vinegar odor, it is first necessary to accurately determine the cause of its occurrence. But at the same time, you need to pay maximum attention to your own hygiene and follow some simple rules that can, if not eliminate completely, then significantly reduce the vinegar odor felt from the body:
- bathing or showering daily. In this case, special attention must be paid to problem areas of the body. Instead of various gels, it is best to wash with antibacterial soap, because in comparison with the former it cleanses the body much more effectively;
- When choosing clothes, it is better to give preference to lighter and natural fabrics. Clothes and especially underwear should not restrict movement and be as comfortable as possible;
- If your body smells like vinegar, then it is imperative to change your underwear and bedding daily. Even if a person took a shower in the morning, but then put yesterday’s T-shirt on his body, the smell of sweat will not disappear. Reuse of clothing in such situations is not allowed, except after washing;
- if a person has hyperhidrosis, he needs to use special compounds and drugs that reduce the amount of sweating;
- When your armpits smell like vinegar, many people try to dull the stench with deodorant preparations. This option allows you to temporarily reduce the severity of the odor, but only apply antiperspirants or other products only after clean, thoroughly washed skin. If an area of your body is already sweating and you apply deodorant afterwards, this will further intensify the unpleasant odor;
- An effective option for reducing sweating and eliminating the pronounced vinegar stench is following a diet. When a person smells of vinegar, he needs to completely exclude garlic, onions, spicy and sour dishes, smoked meats, marinades and hot spices from his daily diet. This rule especially applies to men who suffer from excessive sweating, as well as anyone who has impaired functioning of the digestive system;
- It is necessary to control your emotional state and avoid stressful situations. People suffering from increased nervousness should consult a psychotherapist and, if necessary, take sedatives.
In order to eliminate the smell of vinegar from a person, in addition to standard hygiene procedures, doctors recommend regularly taking baths with the addition of St. John's wort, chamomile, essential oils of eucalyptus, pine needles or orange.
If you follow these simple rules, you can get rid of the unpleasant body odor and also reduce the amount of sweating.
Which comas are typical for?
The smell of acetone can occur in a person even when he is in a coma.
For alcoholic
The so-called alcoholic coma is a condition that occurs due to a long period of drinking alcohol, and during this time alcohol was used in large quantities.
In order to enter this coma, a person needs to drink a certain dose for his body. But the dose is different for everyone.
The main symptoms of this type of coma are:
- loss of consciousness;
- increased heart rate;
- change in facial color;
- change in odor in the mouth.
The air a person exhales will always smell of alcohol.
For uremic
Uremic type coma develops due to intoxication inside the human body. This coma is caused by insufficiency of some functions of the excretory organs.
Such a coma has a long development process. It contains asthenic syndrome, which is associated with:
- apathy;
- weakness;
- rapid human fatigue;
- pain in the head;
- increased sleepiness at any time of the day, and so on.
Doctors also talk about dyspeptic syndrome. It manifests itself in the fact that a certain person completely loses his appetite, which in most cases leads to a pathology such as anorexia. The victim's mouth feels dry and smells of acetone. Quite often stomatitis, gastritis and enterocolitis appear.
Uremic coma in most cases has an increasing pattern. In such a case, a person has a swollen face, which is also pale, scratches on his body, and so on.
For hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic
Coma associated with elevated blood glucose levels. This pathological phenomenon is associated with the presence of a disease such as diabetes. That is, there is not enough glucose in the body. The amount of toxic substances is growing rapidly, because the metabolic system is working much worse. The most serious symptom of this type of coma is the smell of acetone from the mouth.
For the liver
A coma of this nature is a condition in which the functions of the liver are significantly inhibited. In this state, a person may unexpectedly lose consciousness, and everything is accompanied by a change in the respiratory cycle and deterioration of blood circulation. There were situations that ended in death.
Such a coma contains three different stages, which have their own characteristics:
- The first stage is called precoma. During this period of the disease, a person is overwhelmed by melancholy, anxiety, and in some cases even the fear that he will die. During the night period, the victim suffers from lack of sleep, and during the daytime he is more drowsy and inert. The skin becomes yellowed, and speech is more complex and incomprehensible. Quite often this period is accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
- The second stage, in turn, is called a threatening coma. At this stage, a person’s consciousness itself becomes confused; it fluctuates with bouts of excitation and inhibition. A person’s movements become more confusing and incomprehensible, because coordination is impaired. Blood pressure drops, but at the same time the temperature of the human body rises. The most pronounced symptom that indicates this particular stage is the so-called Kussmaul breathing. In this case, the smell of liver emanates from the oral cavity, while at the same time the size of the liver itself in the body becomes smaller.
- And the last stage is a complete coma. This stage no longer implies the presence of consciousness in the human body, his pupils are wider, and his face is at the same time mask-like. Experts quite often compare this state to restful sleep. The person is completely disconnected from the external environment and there is not the slightest reaction to the world around him. Any tremor of the toes and hands is eliminated, the liver also becomes smaller, as in the second stage.
Attention! With such a coma there is no pronounced smell of acetone from the oral cavity.