Could your bad breath be a sign of gall bladder disease?
Sometimes a particularly strong case of bad breath can really
signal another ailment. While the average case of bad breath
usually arises from conditions within the mouth, especially
offensive or unusual-smelling bad breath may warrant further
investigation.
How can your gall bladder relate to bad breath? Your gall
bladder produces strong digestive juices, which empty into your
stomach. When the gall bladder builds up mineral stones, the
bile ducts can become blocked. Infection and great discomfort
can result, causing a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as
fleeting pain, nausea and even vomiting, especially after eating
a fatty meal. Another possible telltale effect of gall bladder
blockage is bad breath.
If you are experiencing abdominal trouble and you suspect your
bad breath may be a sign of greater trouble ahead, compare your
symptoms to these warning signs of gall bladder disease.
Internal symptoms of gall bladder disease:
1. Agonizing pain in the upper right abdomen -- especially after
a heavy meal. The pain can last from minutes to hours.
2. Sudden fever.
3. Nausea and/or vomiting.
4. Clay-colored stools. The lighter color results from
insufficient bile (that is, blocked gall bladder ducts).
Outward signs of gall bladder disease:
1. Excessively bad breath.
2. Itchy skin rashes.
3. A white-coated tongue.
4. Offensive body odor and yellowish skin.
5. Yellow, discolored eyes, and dark circles beneath the eyes.
If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, it's
time to consult with your physician.
Bad breath by itself does not mean you have gall bladder disease
-- it's uncommon for bad breath to arise from anything other
than poor oral hygiene. However, if your bad breath is
particularly offensive, and coupled with some of the more
noticeable signs of gall bladder disease, especially
excruciating abdominal pain, further testing is called for. Ask
your physician to diagnose whether it's simply bad breath -- or
something more serious, like gall bladder disease.
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