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The patient's breath may reveal information about their oral hygiene, or suggest the presence of metabolic disease.
The Patient
The Hands
The Arms
The Face
The Neck
The Chest
The Abdomen – Inspection
The Abdomen – Auscultation
The Abdomen - Palpation
The Groin
Digital Rectal Examination
 

Foetor

 
 
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On this page:HalitosisFoetor HepaticusAcetone BreathAlcoholic FoetorUraemic Foetor

Overview

  • The patient's breath may reveal information about their oral hygiene, or suggest the presence of metabolic disease.

Halitosis

  • Halitosis is also known as foetor ex ore, oral malodour and 'bad breath'. The term refers to an offensive odour that may resemble rotten eggs / meat / fish or faeces.
  • This finding is suggestive of bacterial colonisation in the mouth, pharynx, respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts.

    • Causes of Halitosis

    • Oropharyngeal

    • Xerostomia (dry mouth)
    • Poor oral hygiene
    • Mouth ulcer
    • Dental caries
    • Gingivitis
    • Tongue colonisation
    • Tonsilitis
    • Sinusitis

    • Gastrointestinal

    • Reflux
    • H pylori infection
    • Crohn's disease

    • Respiratory

    • Bronchiectasis
    • Bronchial tumour

    • Systemic

    • Cirrhosis
    • Ketosis
    • Alcohol
    • Uraemia

Foetor Hepaticus

  • Foetor hepaticus is a musty smell, sometimes described as a mix between rotten eggs and garlic. 
  • This is associated with severe liver cirrhosis, likely due to sulphur compounds such as methyl mercaptan and dimethylsulphide.

Acetone Breath

  • Acetone breath manifests as a fruity smell, similar to nail polish remover; this is a reliable indicator of plasma ketosis.

    • Causes of Ketosis

    • Diabetic ketoacidosis
    • Alcoholic ketoacidosis
    • Starvation-induced ketosis
    • Ketogenic diet - high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate
    • Toxicity - isopronanol, acetone, propylene glycol, aspirin, isoniazid

Alcoholic Foetor

  • The smell of alcohol on the breath suggests alcohol ingestion, which may indicate acute intoxication and may be present in patients with alcoholism.

Uraemic Foetor

  • Uraemic foetor manifests as the smell of ammonia, or a urine-like odour. This occurs in patients with end-stage renal failure.
Last updated on December 1st, 2019
 
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