When sneezing could be a sign of deadly disease… clue, it smells funny
SNEEZING is one of the human body’s most natural – yet arguably gross – reflexes. But if you’ve ever noticed a smell after blasting out germs from your nose then listen up, as it could be a sign of something more sinister. Whether it’s foul or sweet, different odours could indicate certain health concerns – […]
SNEEZING is one of the human body’s most natural – yet arguably gross – reflexes.
But if you’ve ever noticed a smell after blasting out germs from your nose then listen up, as it could be a sign of something more sinister.
Whether it’s foul or sweet, different odours could indicate certain health concerns – and worst case scenario, it could be the sign of a disease, experts say.
A sneeze, also known as sternutation, usually comes about when an irritant such as dirt, pollen, smoke or dust enters the nostrils and tickles the delicate lining.
Water, mucus and air is pushed from the nose with incredible force and carries with it tiny microbes, which can spread illness like flu – hence why we’re taught to cover our mouths whenever we sneeze.
Most of the time they are totally harmless and just a natural means for clearing or “resetting” our noses.
But if it’s followed by a slight stench then it might be time to check out the likely source of the smell and what it means…
Sweet
A sweet-smelling sneeze may sound pleasant but it could actually be a sign of diabetes, according to Dr Christopher Tebbit, an ear nose and throat specialist (ENT) at CEENTA.
If you get a whiff of honey after sneezing it might be caused by an increase of a chemical called ketones, which are produced in the liver when you don’t have enough insulin to turn sugar to energy.
The condition, known as ketoacidosis, is a complication of diabetes that happens when your blood sugar is too high for too long.
It’s pretty rare but it could also be associated with an underlying dietary or medical issue, so it could be worth seeing your doctor to check it out.
Sour
No one likes to be told they’ve got bad breath, but the chances are if you can smell your own sneezes then it’s probably an indicator.
However, if you can still detect a sour smell after brushing, flossing and using mouthwash then there’s a chance it could be gum disease.
It’s important to catch this early because bad bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth and cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.
Studies have shown that tooth loss and inflamed gums (periodontitis) are markers of heart disease.
Regular hygienist appointments – twice a year – should be enough to ensure your mouth is healthy and spot signs of gum disease.
Foul
If your sneeze smells foul then it’s most likely down to a sinus infection.
Infected mucus can start to fill with bacteria and that’s what causes the smell.
Dr Roheen Raithatha, an ENT in New York, told Women’s Health: “During a sinus infection, the infected mucus becomes stagnant in the nose and filled with foul-smelling bacteria, which can give it a bad odour.
“This mucus is then expelled out the nose during a sneeze.”
Make sure you book in to see your doctor if you suspect this is what you have.
They can prescribe you an antibiotic to help you clear up the infection and hopefully the smell too.
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Ammonia
A strong ammonia smell is the one to look out for, docs warn.
It could be a sign of diabetes or serious liver and kidney issues.
Visiting your doctor could help determine the source and get you the treatment you need.
Dr Tebbit said: “It is important to be in tune with our bodies, as they can sometimes give us subtle clues regarding our health that can be identified before a problem develops into something more substantial.”
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