If you think bad breath a result of something you ate for lunch smells nasty, it’s nothing compared to breath that smells like feces. As gross as it sounds, it happens more frequently than you might think and could be a warning sign of a serious underlying condition. One of these conditions can even cause fecal vomiting.
Here are the top six most common reasons why someone might have poop breath.
Poor oral hygiene
Not giving your teeth and gums the love that they need could result in poopy breath. Oral hygiene issues that are concerning include:
- Oral infections
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Infrequent brushing
- Irritation or inflammation of the mouth, nose or throat
- Chronic dry mouth
Sinus infection
Not only are they painful, but an infection in your sinuses can cause your breath to smell nasty. The sinuses are air-filled passages in the face that can become infected when fluid and bacteria take up residence. This, along with excess mucus, can lead to foul-smelling breath.Â
Additional symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Postnasal drip
- Loss of smell
- A cough that produces mucus
- Face pain and pressure
- Fever
- Fatigue
- A runny nose
If you experience reoccurring sinus infections, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to determine the underlying reason for the infections.
Abscessed tooth
A tooth can become abscessed when the pulp inside the tooth decays. This can result in a bacterial infection, pain, swelling, and breath that is somewhat poopy due to a build-up of pus. Abscessed teeth are severe and sometimes don’t present with any symptoms until the infection is quite advanced. A root canal may be necessary in an attempt to save the tooth, or the tooth may need to be removed completely. Regular visits to the dentist can reveal an abscess before it gets bad.
GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
If you experience frequent acid reflux where stomach acid backfires up into the food pipe, or esophagus, you may also experience foul breath. Poopy smelling breath generally results when stomach acid combines with food and bacteria.
You might be experiencing GERD if you have the following symptoms:
- Burning in your throat
- Dental decay
- Vomiting
- A hard time swallowing
- Breathing issues
If you are experiencing symptoms of GERB it is essential that you visit your healthcare provider.
Excessive vomiting
A feces odor may occur if you have been vomiting for more than 24 hours. This is caused by a mixture of dry mouth, acidic contents in the stomach, and the bacteria that is causing the vomiting. Although vomiting is a way to eliminate toxins, it is important to see your physician if you have been vomiting for more than 48 hours.
Bowel obstruction
When the small or large intestine is blocked and can not process food properly, a stool backup can occur. This can lead to poopy breath and even cause you to throw up feces. There are a number of causes of bowel obstruction, including a tumor or scarring from surgery. In some cases, bowel obstructions are caused by an issue with the intestinal wall, which can be caused by Chron’s disease.
A person with a bowel obstruction may also have these symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Stomach bloating
- A rapid heart rate
- Inability to pass gas
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Anyone who thinks that they have a blockage or vomits feces should seek immediate medical attention for this serious condition.
If you have been trying to cover up poopy breath with mints and mouthwash, it is time to get to the bottom of it!
-The Alternative Daily
