The odor of a patient's breath may indicate underlying disorders, especially following toxic ingestions. The absence of an odor on the breath does not exclude an ingestion.
Odor
Underlying Disease
acetaldehyde
chronic alcoholism, paraldehyde
acetone
ketosis (diabetes, starvation), salicylates
ammonia
uremia
foul
poor oral hygiene, bronchiectasis, lung abscess, upper GI obstruction, tonsillar infection, nasal or sinus infections
