Your breath can reveal more than just your oral hygiene habits. If you notice a fruity or acetone-like smell, it could signal a serious issue. This unusual odour, known as diabetic breath, is the body’s way of telling that a person’s diabetes is not controlled or even checked. Diabetes affects how the body adjusts blood sugar levels and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels, which might lead to other body complications. While many believe that diabetic breath is impossible to detect at an early stage as per experts, it can be managed through visible symptoms and quick treatment.
According to Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, chief pathologist at Redcliffe Labs, “If you are conscious about your well-being and cautious about changes in your body, then it is possible to identify, monitor, manage, and control diabetic breath without facing any of the severe consequences.”
“There are several misconceptions about diabetic breath and people just follow the internet without consulting their clinicians, which further increases the severity of the health risks. Bad breath in diabetes due to other reasons like dry mouth are sudden complications, and they can grow in a few hours,” Dr Seth told Indian Express.
Fruity or diabetic breath is caused due to metabolic processes in the body. When food and fats break down, it releases certain chemicals that can create an unusual smell when you exhale. Several issues contribute to bad breath. Firstly, diabetes increases the risk of periodontal disease, it can lead to dry mouth and Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). On the other hand, certain medicines used to manage diabetes can also have side effects that may lead to bad breath.
Dr Jaison Paul Sharma, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), Sharma Hospital, Garhdiwala, explains, “Diabetic breath is the body’s way of compensating for excessive glucose in the bloodstream. Our body naturally produces insulin and it helps us in processing glucose and converting it into energy. This is when it starts breaking down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones as a by-product. These ketones can accumulate in the blood and are exhaled through the breath, giving it a distinctive smell.”
Managing bad breath involves several key practices, including regular dental hygiene, brushing teeth at least twice a day and using mouthwash to maintain fresh breath. It’s also important to limit coffee and alcohol, staying hydrated helps prevent dry mouth, and managing blood sugar levels is crucial.
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