Whether you’ve just finished a grueling workout or just stuffed your face with a garlic and onion ladened burger, chances are you’ve been the smelly person in the room at least once in your life. Most of the time a quick shower or a toothbrush can remedy the situation, but not all the time. How you smell can indicate how healthy you are. And some diseases can actually produce a unique, distinguished odor. These three common body odors could signal a serious problem.
Fruity Breath is a symptom of diabetes.
You can credit fruity breath to a complication most commonly found in Type 1 Diabetic patients called diabetic ketoacidosis. When your body can’t make insulin your cells don’t receive the glucose they need for fuel. To compensate the cells will go to plan B. Plan B is to burn fat instead of glucose. When the body burns fat instead of glucose, ketones build up in the blood and urine. Ketones are also produced when fasting or eating a high fat, low carb diet but not to the same degree as diabetic ketoacidosis.
The effects of diabetic ketoacidosis are serious and can even be deadly. If ketones rise to unsafe levels you’re likely to experience
- A sweet fruity odor on your breath
- More frequent urination than normal
- Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
- High blood glucose levels
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Blurred vision,
- Unexplained weight loss
If you notice fruity smelling breath especially if it is accompanied by fatigue, dry mouth, difficulty breathing, or abdominal pain, head to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Strong smelling urine could be a sign of UTI
Urinary tract infections (UTI) can cause a pungent almost chemical smell to your urine. This happens when bacteria that causes a UTI such as E-coli enters your urinary tract and urethra. Then the bacteria multiplies in your bladder and causes an infection. If you have any other signs of a UTI, such as burning when you urinate, a fever, or cloudy urine, let a medical professional know. You may need an antibiotic to fight off the infection.
Stinky Feet are a sign of Athlete’s Foot.
If your feet stink, athlete’s foot could be to blame. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) athlete’s foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes, but it can also affect other areas of the feet. The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and moist environment that encourages fungus growth.
The signs of athlete’s foot include::
- Dry-looking skin
- Itching and burning between the toes, which may increase as the infection spreads to other parts of the feet
- Scaling or peeling skin
- Inflammation or swelling
- Blisters, which often lead to cracking or peeling skin to the feet and toes.
- Smelly feet and shoes
Athlete’s foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. It can be spread to other parts of the body by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere. The organisms causing athlete’s foot may persist for long periods. If you believe that you have a fungus infection that does not respond to proper foot hygiene and there is no improvement within two weeks you need to consult a medical care professional.
MRHC is dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of compassionate, personal and trustworthy medical care in a warm and welcoming environment. If you have any concerns about your health call us at 662-282-4226 to schedule an appointment.
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