4 body odors you should never ignore

Body odor could come from an intense workout or from that onion-laced dish. Simply put, a shower, quick trip to the bathroom to brush your teeth, or a swipe of deodorant, could remedy the situation. Although in some cases, it could be complicated. How to decipher body odor meaning?

Body odor could actually say a lot about one’s health. In fact, some diseases can actually produce a unique, distinguished odor, according to a recent Swedish study (via Women’s Health). Here are 4 common body odors that might indicate a serious problem, as well as what you should do if you find yourself in these situations.

1. Fruity breath as a symptom of diabetes

A complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), occurs when the body runs low on insulin and blood sugar spikes, said Robert Gabbay, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. People with type 1 diabetes generally experience it more than those with type 2 diabetes do.

After you get tested for ketones, the doctor will work on replacing lost fluids and getting your sugar levels back to normal with insulin treatment.

2. Stinky feet as a sign of athlete’s foot

A fungal infection may be to blame in this case. If the smell is accompanied by dry, scaly skin around your toes, redness, and blisters, you may have athlete’s foot, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

So if you’re experiencing these symptoms, try an over-the-counter antifungal spray like Lotrimin or Tinactin. If the problem continues to persist after two weeks, your doctor can take a closer look and prescribe a more targeted treatment.

3. Smelly poop signals lactose intolerance, strong smelling-urine is a sign of urinary tract infection

When your small intestine doesn’t produce enough of an enzyme called lactase, it can’t digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, said Ryan Ungaro, M.D., assistant professor of gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. This can cause loose, foul-smelling stool, bloating, and smelly gas.

Your doctor can diagnose the problem, or even rule out more concerning intestinal issues, like Crohn’s disease. Then, your doctor can help you determine how much lactose you can take in per day without causing a problem.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can produce pungent, almost chemical-smelling urine, said Jamin Brahmbhatt, M.D., a urologist at Orlando Health. This happens after bacteria, most commonly E. coli, enters your urinary tract and urethra. Then, they multiply in your bladder, causing an infection.

These are more frequent in women than men because their urethra, the channel draining the bladder is shorter. Check with your doctor if you smell something different, so your urine can be tested.

4. Bad breath as a sign sleep apnea

If  you regularly brush your teeth, but still have consistently funky morning breath, you could be dealing with undiagnosed sleep apnea. It is a disorder, which causes your breathing to irregularly stop and start while you sleep.

If you’ve ruled out other causes of bad breath, but still wake up with a smelly mouth and you suffer from daytime sleepiness and snoring, set an appointment with your doctor. It’s important that sleep apnea gets diagnosed quickly. This condition has been associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Treating it sooner than can spare you of its long-term health effects.

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