6 Body Odors That Need Urgent Attention

A rigorous day at the gym could give you bad body odor since you perspired profusely during your workout. But a simple shower is enough to come out clean. However, there are other body odors, which are not safe to ignore. They could be symptoms of other health issues because some medical conditions can produce a unique odor. According to a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, humans are able to smell sickness in someone whose immune system is highly active. Wondering how to decode such body odor? Don’t worry, we have it all deciphered for you right here.

# Fruity Breath

Sometimes, a person suffering from diabetes is known to have breath smelling of acetone. This happens to people who have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious condition. This occurs when your body begins to burn fat for energy due to the lack of glucose. It leads to the production of chemicals called ketones.

The build up of ketones in the blood makes it more acidic. One such acid, acetone leaves this fruity smell on your breath. DKA comes with other symptoms such as dry mouth, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in breathing. If you notice a fruity odor on your breath along with these symptoms, it is better to consult your health practitioner immediately.

# Foul-Smelling Poop

It normally has an unpleasant smell. So, what is the difference? Okay, let us explain. Sometimes, the stool has an unusually strong and foul smell. Lactose intolerance can be a reason for it. It means that your body is incapable of breaking down a type of natural sugar lactose, commonly found in dairy products such as milk and yogurt.

Thus, the undigested lactose moves into your colon and your gut bacteria ferment it. Along with painful stomach cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, smelly farts and poops are symptoms of it. Apart from this, infections that affect the intestines such as gastroenteritis may cause foul-smelling stools.

# Smelly Urine

Yes, you guessed right. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the main culprit behind the pungent smell of your urine. The infection is caused by bacteria, most commonly E. coli, which enters your urinary tract and urethra. They multiply in your bladder, causing infection. UTIs could be warning signals for other major health issues like kidney stones or diabetes. So, the strong stench of your pee might indicate a serious problem.

# Bad Breath

Even after brushing your teeth vigorously, do you have bad breath? Do your friends complain about your smelly breath? It is a sign that you may have gum disease, dental disorders, or yeast infections of the mouth. Also, sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder, is another health problem associated with persistent bad breath.

Because of this disorder, you snore throughout the night and end up breathing through your mouth during the sleep. This makes your mouth dry. Thus, in the absence of saliva, bacteria thrives in your mouth, causing bad breath. Instead of ignoring bad breath as a result of poor oral hygiene, you should seek medical attention to determine the odor source.

# Stinky Feet

Got a whiff of your smelly feet without bending over? Well, you are in trouble. More than the embarrassment, stinky feet are a warning sign of your health status. This may be an indication that you suffer from athlete’s foot, sometimes referred to as Tinea Pedia. It is a fungal infection, causing dry, scaly skin around your toes, blisters, redness, and a funky smell. Do not ignore it as a simple dry skin scenario because after a period of time, the skin between your toe webs attracts bacteria. It may lead to further infection of your skin’s soft tissue.

# Fishy Vaginal Odor

It is normal for your vagina to have a slight odor. But a persistent and strong stench is not normal. It needs to be taken care of. The unnatural smell could be due to bacterial vaginosis, which is an overgrowth of normally occurring vaginal bacteria.