Checking your breath may
not just save you from awkward social moments – it may save your life. From
lung cancer to kidney failure, find out what medical conditions doctors can
detect by telling you to just open your mouth.
New findings presented
at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress meeting suggest that
breath tests may be a fast and accurate method for lung cancer screening.
But this isn't the first demonstration that
the breath may hold clues on health. While poor dental hygiene accounts for
most cases of halitosis, bad breath can sometimes be a signal for an underlying medical condition. And even when you take "bad breath" out of the
equation, breath can still demonstrate health issues: a slew of recent studies
have used simple breath tests to screen for medical conditions.
Read on to uncover ways the breath can answer
questions on overall health.
Electric Nose Technology: Detects Lung Cancer from the Breath
Pathologists normally perform biopsies and
ultrasound scans to diagnose lung cancer, but using breath tests may be a
cheaper and non-invasive alternative, according to new findings. Using a
pre-programmed "electronic nose," which detects different profiles of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath, researchers from the University of Latvia collected samples of breath
samples from a total of 475 subjects. The subjects included a mix of 252 lung
cancer patients, 223 patients with different lung conditions and healthy
volunteers, 265 smokers, and 210 non-smokers.
They found that among the non-smokers, lung cancer was accurately identified in 128 subjects and misdiagnosed in
only five. Among smokers, the electronic nose correctly identified 114 people
as having lung cancer, misdiagnosing five. The findings were presented on
September 9 in the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Barcelona.
"Our research has shown us why research
into VOCs is important and how we could use this to understand more about the
way diseases develop and progress," said lead author Maris Bukovskis in a
press release.
Breath Tests Can Detect Heart Failure
Researchers were able
to use a simple breath test to identify patients suffering
from heart failure, according to a March 2013 paper published in the
Journal of the American
College of Cardiology.
Cleveland Clinic researchers collected breath
samples from 41 patients. Twenty five were officially diagnosed with
"acute decompensated heart failure." Sixteen patients had other
cardiovascular conditions but showed no signs of heart failure.
Researchers then used "mass
spectrometry" technology to analyze the breath samples for molecular and
chemical compound signs of heart failure. Within two hours, the breath test
correctly identified the patients with heart failure – while distinguishing
them from the other cardiac patients.
Ashtray Breath
Smoking isn't just bad
for your lungs – it can destroy your dental health by yellowing your teeth and
blackening your lips. Tobacco products can suck the much-needed
saliva out of your mouth, leaving bad breath behind. In addition,
smoking raises the temperature of your mouth, making it a breeding ground for
bacteria.
Fruity or Acetone Breath: A Warning Sign of Diabetes
Poorly managed diabetes can make you more
susceptible to gum disease and dry mouth. When blood sugar levels aren't
stabilized, the weakened body isn't able to fight bacteria that can cause
infections that harm the gums. These same infections can cause bad breath.
But a fruity breath
odor, or an odor similar to acetone (commonly
used in nail polish remover) can also signify a serious complication in diabetic patients called ketoacidosis.
When the body doesn't have enough insulin, it instead uses fatty acids for
energy, which produces acidic ketones, byproducts of fat metabolism. These
acids, which include acetone, hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate, can accumulate
in the blood and lead to a diabetic coma and death.
Fish Breath: Kidney Failure
A fishy breath isn't
always from seafood. Mouth that smells fishy, urine-like, or similar to ammonia
may indicate kidney failure.
The kidneys are responsible for removing toxic
chemicals from the blood by creating urine. In kidney failure, also known as
end-stage renal disease, the kidneys become so damaged that they are no longer
able to filter waste products and toxic chemicals from the blood. When this
happens, the dangerous toxins and waste not discharged from the body accumulate
and affect nearly every part of the body. The fishy breath odor can occur when
kidney failure affects the respiratory system and causes breathing problems.
Sleep Conditions May Cause Sour Mouth
Morning breath may seem normal after
a night of slumber. Saliva production decreases during sleep, which gives
odor-producing bacteria an opportunity to multiply and grow.
But the slowed production of saliva during
sleep can sometimes be caused by leaving your mouth open for long periods of
time. People with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring may have
trouble breathing through the nose, and are more likely to breathe through
their mouths, which increases bad breath.
Excess Weight May Put Your Breath at Risk
Losing the excess weight may also help you
lose the halitosis, according to recent studies. A 2007 study published in the
Journal of Dental Research found a direct link between obesity and bad breath.
After performing clinical check-ups to 88 adults, researchers from Tel Aviv
University found that
overweight patients were more likely to have foul breaths. Researchers suspect
that the diets of overweight people may play a role – diets high in protein and
dairy produce high levels of amino acids, which can encourage the growth of
stinky bacteria. Tel Aviv researchers also linked alcohol to bad breath. Dehydration
may play a role – alcohol is a known diuretic, and a lack of water can trigger
dry mouth. In contrast, drinking ample amounts of water and eating lots of
fruits and vegetables can help keep breath fresh.
Obesity may also emit also odorless fumes in the breath, according to a March
2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
researchers analyzed the breaths of 792 men and women, and found that those who
exhaled more methane and more hydrogen had higher body fat percentages and
BMIs.
Digestive Conditions May Distress Your Mouth
Foul breath can mean a
foul gut. Digestive conditions such as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can manifest in your breath.
Both digestive conditions can delay or prevent food from processing efficiently
from the stomach. When food doesn't move through the digestive system, it can
start to decay. Small amounts of undigested food may even regurgitate and cause
bad breath. Dentists may also detect GERD in patients when they notice an
inflamed red throat and acid erosion in the teeth.
But GERD isn't the
only digestive health issue that can affect your breath. A 2008 study published
in the Journal of Medical Microbiology suggests that the H. pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcers can make
breath smelly if it lands in the mouth.
Respiratory Infections May Infect Your Breath
Respiratory tract
infections such as the flu, bronchitis, and sinusitis can be the root cause of
bad breath. When respiratory tract infections break down or inflame the tissues
in the respiratory system, this can trigger the production of bacteria-feeding cells and mucus.
Allergies and postnasal drip may also cause
bad breath, since these conditions tend to clog the nose. This nasal congestion
may force you to breathe through your mouth, which can lead to dryness and the
growth of foul breath-causing bacteria.
Poor Dental Health = Poor Breath
When cavities destroy the enamel, food
particles can get deposited in those holes, called dental caries. Since
brushing your teeth can't remove these food deposits, they can eventually get
bacteria, which produces a bad smell.
Gingivitis is another
medical condition that may cause bad breath. When the gum becomes inflamed with
bacteria, it can result in severe pain and funky-smelling discharge.
Reference: Everyday Health
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