Many people suffer from fatty liver disease, which can be caused by various factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism. In most cases, this condition does not lead to any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, but it is associated with a commonly recognized sign: bad breath.
How does your breath smell when you have fatty liver? One of the distinctive symptoms of fatty liver disease is the presence of foul-smelling breath, which is usually chronic and can be easily distinguished from normal breath. Bad breath typically appears after consuming certain foods or in the morning, but in individuals with fatty liver disease, the odor persists throughout the day. The breath may emit a distinctive sulfur-like smell or a rotten odor throughout the day.
Why does the breath smell change with fatty liver disease? In the case of fatty liver disease, the liver is unable to filter the blood or remove toxins from chemicals and digest medications processed by the body, which is the primary function of this sensitive organ. When the liver does not function properly, the toxins that should have been filtered in a normal state make their way to other parts of the body, including the respiratory system. This causes your breath to smell foul and can be easily detected when you exhale. Dimethyl sulfide is likely responsible for this odor.
Several factors could lead to bad breath, one of which is fatty liver disease. Generally, if bad breath is associated with fatty liver disease, other symptoms may also be present, including easy bruising, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), swelling in the legs, and abdominal bloating.
How is this condition treated? If you notice a distinctive odor in your breath, visit your doctor. Based on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend some tests to determine whether you have fatty liver disease or other conditions, as reported by the Times of India.
