Breath Odor Can Be The Key To Detecting Cancer
Using body odor to detect disease is not new. Patients with full-blown, uncontrolled diabetes produce a condition called ketoacidosis, in which their skin not only tastes sweet, but also gives off a strong, recognizable odor that smells like nail polish remover.
Someone with chronic kidney failure may have breath that has a fishy odor and patients with bowel obstructions have breath that literally smells like feces.
Now doctors have taken the art of diagnosing disease from smell one step further by creating devices that analyze breath odor to detect certain types of cancer.
The first of these is a tester developed by Dr Peter Mazzone of The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio working in conjunction with ChemSensing of Champaign, Ill. This hand-held device, which is roughly about the size of a quarter, uses a colorimetric sensor array to detect early stage lung cancer. A colorimetric sensor array is composed of a number of thin, polymer films, each of which is coated with a different dye. The dyes change color as a result of the chemical interactions between molecules.
Lung cancer isnt the only form of the disease that can be detected through breath. Researchers at the University of Michigan are perfecting a device to test breath for the presence of metabolites associated with breast cancer.
The goal is to create a tester that is a non-invasive and inexpensive over-the-counter method to screen for breast cancer.
Fishy Breath May Be A Sign Of Kidney Failure
Fishy breath isn’t always from seafood: A mouth that smells like fishy-odor urine, 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.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider
If you practice good hygiene and you still have halitosis, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Some people build up plaque faster than others and may just need more frequent cleanings. You can also schedule an appointment with a periodontist who can see if gum disease is the cause of halitosis.
If your dentist doesnt find any oral health issues such as cavities or gum disease then your primary care physician can determine if another condition is causing halitosis.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Halitosis is a common condition that can cause embarrassment or low self-esteem. But bad breath isnt something to be ashamed of. Its often just your bodys way of telling you that something isnt quite right. The good news is that you can usually get rid of halitosis by treating the underlying health condition. Your dentist and primary care physician can work together to find out whats effective for you.
- American Dental Association. Bad breath: Causes and tips for controlling it. Accessed 7/18/2022.
- American Dental Association. Brushing Your Teeth. Accessed 7/18/2022.
- American Dental Hygienists Association. Proper Flossing. Accessed 7/18/2022.
- Silva MF, Leite FRM, Ferreira LB, et al. Estimated prevalence of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2018 Jan 22:47-55. Accessed 7/18/2022.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Oral malodour . Accessed 7/18/2022.
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Stop Bad Breath Linked To Tooth Decay And Gingivitis
When the enamel on your teeth erodes, food particles can get deposited in those holes, called dental caries. Because brushing your teeth can’t remove these food deposits, they can eventually grow bacteria, which is what causes bad breath.
Gingivitis is another medical condition that is a cause of bad breath. When the gum becomes inflamed with bacteria, it can result in severe pain and funky-smelling discharge.
Do Dogs With Cancer Drink More Water

Cancer can cause changes in your pets behavior or habits, such as less appetite, chronic vomiting or diarrhea, coughing or labored breathing, more thirst, and change in food preferences.
Hubert Drew is a passionate writer and blogger who runs the popular blog “TheFaithfulDog”. Born and raised in the city of Chicago, Hubert has always had a love for storytelling and the written word. Hubert is a true dog lover, and his blog’s name is a nod to his loyal and faithful companion, a rescue dog named Bella. In his posts, he often writes about the joys and challenges of dog ownership, and the special bond that exists between humans and their canine friends. In addition to running his blog, Hubert is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring the beauty of nature. When he’s not writing or caring for Bella, Hubert can often be found hiking in the nearby forests or spending time at the beach.
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What Causes Gerd Symptoms
H. pylori infection can be a significant factor in GERD symptoms and other digestive disorders.
GERD symptoms occur due to a failure of the muscular valve that separates the lower end of the esophagus from the stomach. This is known as the lower esophageal valve or LES.
The LES normally opens wide to permit swallowed food and liquids to pass easily into the stomach. When this valves relaxes too much or becomes weak, it can allow stomach acid and contents up into your esophagus, causing your GERD symptoms and sometimes, bad breath.
Often, people are treated for GERD symptoms with proton pump inhibitors, which reduce stomach acid production, or medicines to neutralize stomach acid.
In the book Heartburn Cured, Dr. Robillard discusses how heartburn is caused by bacterial overgrowth and poor digestion of carbohydrates.
What Does Colon Cancer Smell Like
You may wonder whether there is any smell of colon cancer so thus you can treat it as soon as possible for better prognosis! Like in diabetes, cancer has its own smell. But its not easy to catch this smell, especially for cancers that affect internal organs such as bowel cancers .
Using odor to help diagnose particular cancer is not new!
Today, doctors and health practitioners are more likely to use advanced imaging methods and detection of lumps to help diagnose cancer. While some work effectively, others doesnt accurate enough to provide reliable diagnosis. Furthermore, the problem is that by the time they have reason to order a scan or another conventional test, it is often too late.
Diagnosing a cancer as early as possible is so essential! Because at early stages of the disease, the treatment is most likely to work and therefore can provide better outlook and prognosis for patient.
Almost all diseases, believe it or not, have a specific smell. Throughout history, healthy practitioners have sniffed patients urine, stool, breath, and other secretions to help with diagnoses.
The place where cancer grows in the body may also have an effect. Change in the breath smell is more likely effective to help diagnose health conditions in the lungs such as lung cancer. Change in the urine smell is more identic with abnormal condition in bladder. And change in the stool smell tends to be associated with something that goes awry with the bowel.
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Does Mouth Cancer In Dogs Hurt
Oral pain is usually apparent, especially in dogs with tumors that have extended into the underlying bone. Signs may include bad breath , drooling, panting, movement or loss of teeth, lack of appetite, difficulty eating, reluctance to be touched on the head, facial swelling, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
Stomach Cancer Test: Bad Breath Sensor Can Indicate Illness
Stomach cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose effectively, but a new study used a simple and accurate test of “bad” breath that can detect the existence and extent of the illness right away.
The research, published in the British Journal of Cancer by Israeli and Chinese scientists, shows a 90% accuracy rate in distinguishing stomach cancer from other stomach complaints in 130 patients, and in judging how far the cancer has progressed.
The breath test uses a nanomaterial sensor to analyze the chemicals released in exhaled air. Unique chemical “bad” breath signatures can indicate the development of stomach cancer.
This is remarkably simpler and more convenient than endoscopy, the existing method of detecting stomach cancer.
Endoscopy requires a specialist to stick a long, flexible tube with a small camera attached at the end down the throat and into the digestive system of a sedated patient. If any abnormal tissue is seen, it can be removed in a biopsy through the endoscope and analyzed by a lab.
The new breath test, on the other hand, is noninvasive and can be used by a general practitioner during a routine check-up to rule out cancer.
If approved for general use, the stomach cancer breath test can make an enormous difference in the healthcare of people in regions without access to extensive medical care and tools like endoscopy.
The research shows that cancerous growths in the body release volatile organic compounds, which can be detected using the right methods.
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Practice Good Dental Hygiene
The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily for at least 2 minutes. Daily flossing is also important because food particles can get stuck in places a toothbrush cant easily reach.
If you have dental appliances, a device that uses water to jet away food, like a Waterpik, might work better than floss or tape.
Some mouthwashes kill bacteria as they freshen your breath, and many contain fluoride to protect your teeth and gums from decay.
What Other Issues Should Caregivers Be Aware Of
Its just as important for caregivers to take care of their own health at this time. Family and caregivers are affected by their loved ones health more than they realize. Taking care of a sick person often causes physical and emotional fatigue, stress, depression, and anxiety. Because of this, its important for caregivers to take care of their own body, mind, and spirit. Helping themselves will give them more energy, help them cope with stress, and cause them to be better caregivers as a result.Its also helpful if caregivers ask for support from friends and family members. Such help is important to help lessen the many tasks involved in taking care of a loved one who is sick or dying.
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What Does Ulcer Breath Smell Like
Asked by:Anita Predovic
Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores. Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor.
What Does It Mean If Your Breath Smells Like Poop

Poor oral hygiene can cause your breath to smell like poop. Failing to brush and floss your teeth properly and regularly can make your breath smell because plaque and bacteria accumulate on and between your teeth. Food thats not removed by flossing stays between your teeth, causing your breath to smell unpleasant.
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Is Bad Breath A Sign Of Cancer
Do I need to see a doctor about bad breath?
Everyone has experienced times when their breath is not exactly fresh: waking up in the morning, after drinking coffee, and post-consumption of pungent foods. Mouthwash commercials present it as a normal human condition. But can persistent bad breath, called halitosis, be a sign of something more serious?
If youve been told your breath is offensive, its time to learn the cause and address it. Soon.
Gerd Symptoms As A Cause Of Bad Breath
GERD symptoms are a very common digestive system disorder that can cause bad breath.
The most common GERD symptoms are chronic heartburn , caused by acid reflux.
Other less common GERD symptoms include:
- Belching or burping
- Inflammation of the gums or gum disease
- Erosion of the enamel of the teeth
- Chronic irritation in the throat
- Croaky voice in the morning
- A sour taste in the mouth
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Examples Of Vocs In Diseases Of The Gastrointestinal Tract And Liver
Studies have shown that the evaluation of a single chemical compound has no diagnostic value. A group of substances whose increase in the exhaled air is characteristic of a given disease should be taken into account.
The organoleptic evaluation of bad breath based on the 6-point Rosenberg scale is the basic method for diagnosing halitosis. An imperceptible odour corresponds to zero, while 5 points indicate the presence of bad breath. The result largely depends on the experience of the examiner therefore, it is a very subjective method. However, there are also objective methods for assessing halitosis, including gas chromatography, portable VSC analysers, and Artificially Intelligent Olfactory .
The Halimeter and OralChroma are used to quantify the total level of volatile sulphur compounds in the exhaled air. The results are given in ppb units , which define the number of molecules of a chemical compound per 1 billion solvent molecules. OralChroma assesses the presence of the 3 most common VSCs: H2S, CH3SH, and 2S, while Halimeter covers all volatile sulphur compounds.
Gas chromatography along with AIO allow for qualitative and quantitative analysis of both VSCs and non-sulphur volatile organic compounds. Due to the high cost and the need to employ qualified personnel, gas chromatography is not used in everyday practice .
What Are The Main Causes Of Stomach Cancer
There is no single cause of stomach cancer and sometimes it happens without any known risk factors. Lifestyle choices can increase the likelihood of stomach cancer. However, those who experience long-term stomach inflammation from either lifestyle choices or chronic illness are at higher risk.
The common causes of stomach cancer are often related to a medical history that includes:
- H. pylori bacterial infections: A common stomach infection that often causes ulcers.
- Tumors: Other tumors occurring elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Stomach polyps: Abnormal tissue growth in the stomach lining.
There are lifestyle changes you can make that may decrease your risk of stomach cancer. These include:
- Having a healthy diet and avoiding
- Processed foods
- Salted foods or increased sodium
Risk factors for stomach cancer that you cannot change, include:
- Being of Asian, South American or Belarusian descent
- Having a family history of stomach cancer
- Having a history of stomach surgery
- Having pernicious anemia, which is a vitamin deficiency that may be related to either lifestyle or disease
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What Is Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, occurs when normal healthy cells are replaced by growing cancer cells within the stomach lining. The stomach is located directly below the esophagus, the tube that food moves through to get to the intestines after swallowing. The stomach is one part of the digestive tract that digests food and moves nutrients through the gut to the small intestine.
Since this type of cancer is typically slow-growing, it can take years to develop. Stomach cancer often starts when cells that were once healthy begin growing out of control in the mucosa of the stomach lining. This collection of cancerous cells is known as a tumor, and over time these cells spread into other layers of the stomach.
Common Early Signs Of Stomach Cancer
More than 7 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, while 3 in 100,000 die from the disease. About 0.8% of all men and women will be diagnosed with stomach cancer at some point in their life. As of 2017, 116,525 in the United States were living with stomach cancer.
In 2020, the National Cancer Institute estimates 27,600 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed, which is roughly 1.5% of all new cancer cases. The NCI also projects 11,010 deaths from stomach cancer in 2020, which is 1.8% of all cancer deaths.
Because stomach cancer affects men and women differently, and can be difficult to diagnose, it is crucial to understand its unique traits and the illnesses it can mimic. This article covers the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, the different disease stages, primary causes, warning signs and how to manage it.
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What Kind Of Doctor Treats Stomach Cancer
There is a team of specialists that cares for people with stomach cancer:
- Gastroenterologist: a doctor who specializes in the stomach and intestines
- Surgical oncologist: a doctor who surgically removes cancer tumors and cancerous cells
- Medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with oral or systemic medication
- Radiation oncologist: a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy
- Pathologist: a doctor who evaluates cells, tissues and organs and performs other laboratory tests to diagnose disease
- Radiologist: a doctor who uses imaging tests to diagnose disease
Depending on your condition and where you are in your treatment, you may meet with any one of these specialists at a given time.
Breath That Smells Sweet Or Fruity

Unmanaged diabetes can lead to a dangerous health condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Among other symptoms, it can cause your breath to smell sweet or fruity.
Low carb diets and fasting can sometimes also cause your breath to smell or taste different. Some people describe it as metallic. For other people, the smell is sweet.
Low carb diets cause you to burn body fat for fuel, which leads to the release of chemicals called ketones in your breath and urine. The buildup of ketones can cause changes to the smell of your breath.
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