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Body emissions
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Bad breath and stomach
Originally Published: December 02, 1994
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: October 12, 2005
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Dear Alice,
I often have a bad taste in my mouth, and bad breath as well, I assume. This doesn't stem from poor hygiene: I brush my teeth at least three times a day, and usually more. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do about this. Could this be a symptom of some sort of nutritional deficiency? I think my diet is pretty bad, although I'm working pretty hard on getting more protein and eating less fat. I've also been nauseous a lot lately, and vomiting some. Could that be related?
Signed, Dear Stinky Breath, Bad breath can be a result of poor dental hygiene, but also can emanate from problems with your stomach... which is why sometimes bad breath returns shortly after brushing your teeth (i.e., as soon as the toothpaste smell is gone). Some factors that might affect your breath include:
As you can see, some of these factors may be quite serious and warrant the attention of a health care provider. Since you're also experiencing nausea and vomiting, you can probably get the best answer by seeking medical attention. If you are a student at Columbia you can make an appointment through Open Communicator or by calling x4-2284. You can also drop by Urgent Care if your are feeling espeically ill. While you're there, it may be a good idea to speak with the provider about how you can improve your diet, which may help alleviate both your bad breath and your nausea. Vomiting is a defensive reaction by your body to clear the digestive tract. As with bad breath, there are a variety of causes of vomiting, including overindulgence in food or alcohol; a side-effect of many drugs (including birth control pills sometimes); disorders of the stomach or intestines that result in inflammation, irritation, or distention of either organ (including peptic ulcers, appendicitis, gastroenteritis, and food poisoning); early pregnancy; or, psychological reaction to a situation or food. There are also many other more serious causes of vomiting, and a physician would ask you specific questions to determine the root cause of your nausea and vomiting. Best of luck on the path towards fresh breath,
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