Halitosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Halitosis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Halitosis|here]]''' | ||
{{Infobox_Disease | |||
| Name = Halitosis | |||
| Image = | |||
| Caption = | |||
| DiseasesDB = 5603 | |||
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|19|6|r|10}} | |||
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|784.9}} | |||
| ICDO = | |||
| OMIM = | |||
| MedlinePlus = | |||
| eMedicineSubj = | |||
| eMedicineTopic = | |||
| MeshID = | |||
}} | |||
{{SI}} | {{SI}} | ||
'''Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer | ||
==Overview== | |||
[[Halitosis]], or [[bad breath]], is unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive [[breath odor]]. [[Breath odor]] is the scent of the air you breathe out of your [[mouth]]. | |||
== | |||
Halitosis, or breath odor | |||
==What are the causes of Halitosis?== | ==What are the causes of Halitosis?== | ||
If previously normal breath turns into halitosis, causes could include: | If previously normal breath turns into [[halitosis]], causes could include: | ||
*Abscessed tooth | *[[Abscessed tooth]] | ||
*Alcoholism | *[[Alcoholism]] | ||
*Cavities | *Cavities | ||
*Dentures | *[[Dentures]] | ||
*Drugs | *Drugs | ||
**Paraldehyde | **[[Paraldehyde]] | ||
**Triamterene and inhaled anesthetics | **[[Triamterene]] and inhaled [[anesthetics]] | ||
**Insulin - injection | **[[Insulin]] - injection | ||
*Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee) | *Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee) | ||
*Foreign body in the nose (usually in children) | *Foreign body in the [[nose]] (usually in children) | ||
**Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril | **Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril | ||
*Gum disease (gingivitis, gingivostomatitis) | *Gum disease ([[gingivitis]], [[gingivostomatitis]]) | ||
*Impacted tooth | *[[Impacted tooth]] | ||
*Lung infection | *Lung infection | ||
*Poor dental hygiene | *Poor [[dental hygiene]] | ||
*Sinusitis | *[[Sinusitis]] | ||
*Throat infection | *Throat infection | ||
*Tobacco smoking | *Tobacco smoking | ||
*Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses) | *Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses) | ||
==Who is at risk | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Smokers | *Smokers | ||
*Alcoholics | |||
==How to know you have Halitosis?== | ==How to know you have Halitosis?== | ||
The air you breathe out has an unpleasant odor. [[Bad breath]] is frequently [[diagnosis|diagnosed]] by people in close proximity to you. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
*Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods). | *[[Breath odor]] persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as [[smoking]] or eating odor-causing foods). | ||
*You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or face pain with discharge from the nose | *You have [[breath odor]] and signs of a [[respiratory infection]], such as [[fever]], [[cough]], or face pain with discharge from the nose. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
''Home care'' | |||
Use proper [[dental hygiene]] (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem. | |||
Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary [[bad breath]]. Avoid [[smoking]]. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause. | |||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | |||
Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath. | |||
A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess [[acetone]] through the breathing. This is a sign of [[ketoacidosis]], which may occur in [[diabetes]]. It is a potentially [[life-threatening condition]]. | |||
Breath that smells like [[feces]] can occur with prolonged [[vomiting]], especially when there is a [[bowel obstruction]]. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a tube placed through the [[nose]] or [[mouth]] to the [[stomach]] to drain the [[stomach]] contents ([[nasogastric tube]]) in place. | |||
The breath may have an [[ammonia]]-like odor (also described as [[urine]]-like or "fishy") in people with [[chronic kidney failure]]. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Halitosis== | ==Where to find medical care for Halitosis== | ||
| Line 57: | Line 73: | ||
==Prevention of Halitosis== | ==Prevention of Halitosis== | ||
Good oral hygiene is essential. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning. | Good [[oral hygiene]] is essential. Brush twice a day and clean between your [[teeth]] daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush your [[tongue]], too. If you wear [[dentures]], be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ||
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. | Your doctor will take a [[medical history]] and perform a [[physical examination]]. | ||
You may be asked the following medical history questions: | You may be asked the following [[medical history]] questions: | ||
*Is there a specific odor? | *Is there a specific odor? | ||
*Is there a fishy smell? | *Is there a fishy smell? | ||
*Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine? | *Does the breath smell like [[ammonia]] or [[urine]]? | ||
*Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell? | *Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell? | ||
*Does the breath smell like feces? | *Does the breath smell like [[feces]]? | ||
*Does the breath smell like alcohol? | *Does the breath smell like [[alcohol]]? | ||
*Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food? | *Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food? | ||
*Do you take vitamin supplements? | *Do you take vitamin supplements? | ||
*Do you smoke? | *Do you [[smoke]]? | ||
*Does good oral hygiene improve the odor? | *Does good [[oral hygiene]] improve the odor? | ||
*What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they? | *What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they? | ||
*Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness? | *Is there a recent [[sore throat]], [[sinus infection]], [[tooth abscess]], or other [[illness]]? | ||
*What other symptoms do you have? | *What other [[symptoms]] do you have? | ||
The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores. | The [[physical examination]] will include a thorough examination of the [[mouth]] and the [[nose]]. A [[throat]] culture may be taken if you have a [[sore throat]] or [[mouth sores]]. | ||
In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include: | In rare cases, [[diagnostic]] tests that may be performed include: | ||
*Blood tests to screen for diabetes or kidney failure | *[[Blood tests]] to screen for [[diabetes]] or [[kidney failure]] | ||
*Endoscopy (EGD) | *[[Endoscopy]] (EGD) | ||
*X-ray of the abdomen | *[[X-ray]] of the [[abdomen]] | ||
*X-ray of the chest | *[[X-ray]] of the [[chest]] | ||
[[Antibiotics]] may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the [[nose]], the doctor will use an instrument to remove it. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm | ||
http://www.ada.org/public/topics/bad_breath_faq.asp | http://www.ada.org/public/topics/bad_breath_faq.asp | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Mature chapter]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 13:20, 8 June 2015
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
| Halitosis | |
| ICD-10 | R19.6 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 784.9 |
| DiseasesDB | 5603 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer
Overview
Halitosis, or bad breath, is unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor. Breath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth.
What are the causes of Halitosis?
If previously normal breath turns into halitosis, causes could include:
- Abscessed tooth
- Alcoholism
- Cavities
- Dentures
- Drugs
- Paraldehyde
- Triamterene and inhaled anesthetics
- Insulin - injection
- Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee)
- Foreign body in the nose (usually in children)
- Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril
- Gum disease (gingivitis, gingivostomatitis)
- Impacted tooth
- Lung infection
- Poor dental hygiene
- Sinusitis
- Throat infection
- Tobacco smoking
- Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses)
Who is at highest risk?
- Smokers
- Alcoholics
How to know you have Halitosis?
The air you breathe out has an unpleasant odor. Bad breath is frequently diagnosed by people in close proximity to you.
When to seek urgent medical care
- Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods).
- You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or face pain with discharge from the nose.
Treatment options
Home care Use proper dental hygiene (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem.
Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath.
A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a sign of ketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes. It is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Breath that smells like feces can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain the stomach contents (nasogastric tube) in place.
The breath may have an ammonia-like odor (also described as urine-like or "fishy") in people with chronic kidney failure.
Where to find medical care for Halitosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Halitosis
Prevention of Halitosis
Good oral hygiene is essential. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.
You may be asked the following medical history questions:
- Is there a specific odor?
- Is there a fishy smell?
- Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine?
- Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell?
- Does the breath smell like feces?
- Does the breath smell like alcohol?
- Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food?
- Do you take vitamin supplements?
- Do you smoke?
- Does good oral hygiene improve the odor?
- What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they?
- Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness?
- What other symptoms do you have?
The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores.
In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
- Blood tests to screen for diabetes or kidney failure
- Endoscopy (EGD)
- X-ray of the abdomen
- X-ray of the chest
Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, the doctor will use an instrument to remove it.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm http://www.ada.org/public/topics/bad_breath_faq.asp