What Your Body Odor Says About Your Health
Sometimes you can’t help but fall victim to bad body odor, and it’s not your fault or even a reflection of your personal hygiene — it’s your health. If you can’t quite sniff out the culprit, read on to see if medical intervention might be the cure.
It’s like a little fruit punch powder was added to your toilet bowl to create an unexpectedly sweet bathroom aroma. This may not be the worst smelling situation, but if the phenomenon persists, you’ll want to get a medical opinion.
If you notice sweet-smelling urine, it may be because you’re spilling sugar into your urine, and this can be a sign of diabetes, doctors warn.
Diabetes indicates that your body isn’t producing enough insulin to regulate blood-glucose levels. Sweet urine is a side effect of your body expelling excess sugar that insulin fails to convert into energy. With proper diet and exercise, diabetes can be controlled.
If you didn’t know better, you’d guess you hadn’t brushed, flossed or bothered to visit the dentist in a year. No gum or mint is a match for this bout of bad breath.
Sinusitis is a bacterial or viral infection that causes inflammation in sinus tissues, especially the hollow spaces in the bones that connect with the nose. It causes horrific breath because of the mucus draining slowly down the back of your throat. It can also come paired with neon nasal discharge and ear, tooth or jaw pain.
Luckily, sinusitis usually rights itself with time. But consult a physician if you develop a headache, stiff neck and swelling around the eyes or forehead or a change in vision.
- Vaginal yeast infection
It’s reminiscent of freshly baked bread, but more yeasty, and it’s definitely not coming from an oven. Instead, you trace this oddity to a source a little farther south and nearer your belt buckle.
Vaginal yeast is often kept in check by a delicate balance of the naturally occurring fungus candida and its bacteria counterpart, lactobacillus. However, a stinky yeast infection can ensue from the most innocent of mistakes. For example, it can result from wearing damp clothing, such as a bathing suit or sweaty gym shorts, for too long.
The best remedy is to try an OTC antifungal for three days. If the stench persists, and especially if it’s paired with discharge, seek a doctor’s help to get a stronger prescription — it might be a bacterial infection.
- Vaginal bacterial infection
Joking about “fishy” nether regions can be funny, but it can also be mortifying if it becomes reality. The odor, according to Natasha Johnson, M.D., is the result of “bad” bacteria outnumbering “good bacteria” (lactobacillus) in the vagina. It’s most noticeable after sex or around menstruation and can be accompanied with discharge, itching and burning.
The condition signifies an increased pH level (from the presence of semen or blood). The most effective treatment is oral antibiotics.
- Itchy, red feet
Taking your toes out really puts you in a jam because, nine times out of 10, they fill the area with stinky feet stench.
It sounds a lot worse than it is. Really, it means excessive odor from sweat. In terms of feet, the smell occurs from sweaty feet fostering an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to grow in your dark, warm shoes. This often leads to itchy, red feet.
The best cure proves to be OTC deodorizing powder and diligence in shoe upkeep. For example, use athlete’s foot spray regularly; don’t wear the same shoe each day; wear cotton socks; and don’t store shoes in dark, dingy closets.