Diseases That Can Cause Foul Breath

Poor oral hygiene and diet are often the culprits when it comes to bad breath. However in some cases, bad breath may be caused than something more than this. For some people a change of diet and better oral hygiene may not solve the problem of emitting foul odors in the mouth. The reason behind this could be that the bad breath is caused by something greater. There are often diseases which are known to cause this.
Small Bowel Obstruction. This illness indicates a blockage in the abdominal area, causing the digestive process to become abnormal. The blockage may be located anywhere in the abdomen and can be accompanied by different symptoms. Vomiting is one symptom which can accompany this illness. The prolonged vomiting may leave an odor similar to feces in the mouth. This of course leads to bad breath.
Sinusitis. Many people experience sinusitis which is an inflammation of the sinuses due to an infection. Most times an infection can clear up in as little as a few days. However in more severe cases, the infection can last anywhere from a few weeks to months. Excessive amounts of mucous can be produced causing it to drip down towards the throat (postnasal drip). When prolonged this may cause bad breath due to the sinus drainage.
Kidney Failure. When the kidneys are not able to function properly it is not able to clean out the system properly. A buildup of waste in the blood takes place and these could be eliminated by the body in various ways. One of which includes odors through the mouth. Patients suffering from kidney failure often have ammonia-like smelling breath which can be offensive. In other times, the odor emitted may smell like urine or have a fishy scent to it.
Liver Dysfunction. This occurs when the liver organ is no longer able to carry out its functions. The liver is responsible for breaking down fat in the body as well as detoxifying it. Once it becomes impaired it is no longer able to do these properly and toxins in the body are not discarded properly. One manifestation of the toxins in the body is bad breath due to the increased amount of bacteria. People suffering from liver problems may have a sweet, fecal like odor in their mouth.
Diabetes. Many sufferers of diabetes have a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a complication which arises from the buildup of fat by-products in the body. When the body needs energy and there is no glucose the body burns the fat by-products. During the process a chemical known as ketone is released into the system. This chemical is emitted from the body through the urine and the mouth as well. As a result of this diabetics often have a metallic taste in their mouth accompanied by halitosis or bad breath.
Chronic Lung Infection. With the lungs connected to the mouth and nose, infections which take place in it may affect the smell of a person’s mouth. Those who suffer from chronic lung infections may have more than just mucus in their respiratory systems. They may also have abscesses in their lungs. The secretions and abscess odors may be emitted when the person breaths. As a result of these secretions and abscesses people with severe pulmonary infections often also have a severe case of bad breath.