Diabetes is caused by an accumulation of sugar in the bloodstream, leading to a whole load of complications. But it’s not always easy to know if you’re at risk of the condition, or not. Additionally, some evidence suggests that certain diabetes medications may affect a person’s body odor. Bad breath can also be a sign of a person having diabetes that is not under control or diagnosed. Read on to learn more about the connection between bad breath and diabetes.

Other causes of bad breath

In this case, the body may produce ketones, and a condition called alcoholic ketoacidosis may develop. Studies suggest that the amount of acetone on a healthy person’s breath correlates with the rate of fat loss. If a person follows a ketogenic diet to lose weight, they may have a slight smell of acetone on their breath.

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The early signs of DKA can often be treated with extra insulin and fluids if it is picked up quickly. But if it isn’t, DKA needs urgent hospital treatment and can be life-threatening. If you have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) you’ll need to be admitted to hospital for urgent treatment.

If you experience fruity breath that’s not caused by intentional changes to your diet, the scent of your breath may have more dire causes. As your body breaks down food and fat in different ways, it releases chemicals that are then expelled when you breathe out. Meanwhile, more common diabetes symptoms include passing more urine than normal, feeling very tired, and having blurred vision. People can manage bad breath in many ways, including practicing good oral hygiene.

Diabetes Symptoms

In this article, we’re diving deep into the enigma of the fruity odor of breath diabetes. When your cells don’t get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that the body creates when it breaks down fat to use for energy. The body does this when it doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose, the body’s normal source of energy. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control dka breath smell or that you are getting sick. Early symptoms of DKA include increased thirst and frequent urination.

Successful treatment of DKA requires frequent monitoring of patients regarding the above goals by clinical and laboratory parameters. Table 2 below illustrates the initial management of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis2,26. Breath that has a fruity or acetone-like scent may be a sign of ketosis from your diet, DKA, HHS, excessive alcohol use, or liver disease. In some cases, fruity breath has causes that are not related to ketones. People with liver disease can experience fruity breath, but it’s a bit different.

What to Do if You Have Fruity Breath

The gentle gust of air we release without a second thought can be the harbinger of so much information. Causes of DKA can include being unwell, having an injury or surgery, having your period, or not taking enough insulin. The doctors will talk to you about what caused DKA and give you advice on how to reduce the risk of it happening again. Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article. Anyone who finds it difficult to reduce their alcohol consumption should ask a doctor for advice.

While following the diet, a person should ensure that they consume enough liquids and electrolytes.

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  • If you spot any of these symptoms it is a sign that you need to get some medical help quickly.
  • It is important to be able to spot the signs and symptoms of DKA so that it can be treated quickly.
  • Typically, bad breath that relates to diabetes may smell fruity due to DKA.
  • The condition usually occurs gradually, but if a person has been vomiting, it can develop quickly.
  • DKA can cause the blood to become acidic and affect how the organs function.

Have you ever noticed a peculiar smell that seems to linger around those with diabetes? This distinctive odor often emanates from their breath, primarily due to elevated ketone levels. When blood sugar levels rise, the body begins to break down fat for energy, producing ketones that can release a fruity scent or even smell like acetone, similar to nail polish remover. This phenomenon can indicate a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where dangerously high blood sugar and ketone levels pose significant health risks. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe acute metabolic complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperketonaemia, and metabolic acidosis.

Navigating Diabetes Diagnosis & Treatment

However, if there is too much glucose in the blood and too little in the cells — as can happen with diabetes — ketone levels can rise too high. This overproduction of ketones is what puts a person at risk for DKA. By adopting these preventive measures, you can help keep your breath fresh and reduce the risk of developing health conditions that might cause sweet smelling breath. This sweet, fruity smell of diabetic breath can be similar to overripe apples or the sharp scent of acetone, commonly found in nail polish remover. If a person has symptoms of DKA, they may have undiagnosed diabetes. People with diabetes may also have higher blood sugar levels, which can increase how much glucose is in their saliva.

If the body cannot get its energy from glucose, it starts burning fat for fuel instead. The process of breaking down fat for energy releases byproducts called ketones. Understanding your symptoms and signs and educating yourself about health conditions are also a part of living your healthiest life.

DKA can cause the blood to become acidic and affect how the organs function. The condition usually occurs gradually, but if a person has been vomiting, it can develop quickly. Acetone is a type of ketone, and it is the same fruity-smelling substance found in some nail polish removers. If you’re worried about the symptoms of diabetes, you should speak to a doctor. But if your bad breath doesn’t go away after a few weeks, you might want to consider speaking to a dentist.

But if you suspect you or your child has DKA it is important to get medical help straight away. Testing for ketones will help you know when you need to take action, such as increasing your insulin dose. Once your ketones are at a safe level and you can eat and drink normally you’ll be able to go home. With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes. This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

A person who consumes large amounts of alcohol may not have a healthful diet or eat enough food to provide their body with energy. Diabetes is not the only condition linked to breath that smells of acetone. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises people to not exercise if they have signs of DKA and to seek medical assistance immediately. “DKA mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes, but can sometimes affect people with type 2 diabetes. If you begin to run out of insulin, life-threatening ketones begin to build up in the body. Most cases of diabetes are caused by type 2 diabetes, where the body struggles to produce enough of the hormone insulin, or the body doesn’t react to insulin.

The links above will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions to help you inform yourself about the causes and available treatments for these conditions. Some diabetes patients develop breath that either smells like pear drop sweets, or nail varnish, according to the NHS. Have you ever noticed your breath smell a bit fruity and wondered why? Sure, we all have those days when our breath isn’t its freshest, maybe after a garlic-heavy meal or when we’ve skipped brushing. But if your breath keeps giving off a sweet smell all day, it might be more than just a passing issue. This unusual breath odor, sticking around longer than expected, can actually be a clue to something deeper going on with your health.

Sulfur-producing bacteria may also flourish, further exacerbating unpleasant odors. If you have fruity breath along with more serious symptoms like excessive thirst, vomiting, or change in alertness, seek immediate medical attention, especially if you have diabetes. This can be a sign of DKA or HHS, both of which can lead to serious complications (including death) if left untreated. If you have diabetes and smell acetone on your breath, make sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

This breakdown of fat often happens much too quickly, turning your blood acidic and making you feel sick. Additionally, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to increased glucose in your saliva, promoting bacterial growth in your mouth. This bacterial growth can contribute to halitosis, or bad breath, making it even more noticeable.

You might be at risk of diabetes if you notice some small changes to the smell of your breath. Mantra Care aims at providing affordable, accessible, and professional health care treatment to people across the globe. You’ll be able to leave hospital when you’re well enough to eat and drink and tests show a safe level of ketones in your body. For some people, including some children, becoming suddenly very ill with DKA can be what leads them to finding out they have type 1 diabetes in the first place.