An unpleasant odor emanating from the oral cavity causes psychological discomfort, reduces self-esteem, and can signal various pathologies in the body, systemic diseases, and physiological disruptions in the functioning of internal organs.
The reason does not always lie in insufficient hygiene or dental diseases. The smell of ammonia from the mouth in adults may indicate problems in the functioning of the digestive tract, impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver, as well as the presence of other health problems in a person.
Causes of ammonia odor from the mouth
The content of the article
An unpleasant specific urine (ammonia) odor from the mouth can appear for a variety of reasons. Lack of proper oral hygiene, systemic diseases, exacerbation of chronic pathologies, the presence of bacterial flora, endoparasites in the body. Consumption of food can be one of the causes of bad breath.
Important! To determine the root cause of ammonia breath, undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination at a medical center.
The main causes of urine stench from the oral cavity:
- disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
- unbalanced nutrition, protein, low-carbohydrate, express diets, fasting;
- disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract;
- ENT diseases;
- diseases of the oral cavity (caries, gingivitis, stomatitis);
- bacterial, viral, parasitic diseases, infections;
- chronic kidney pathologies;
- bad habits (abuse of alcohol, nicotine);
- dehydration, intoxication of the body.
Ammonia is a natural waste product in the body. It is formed during the digestion of proteins and amino acids. The kidneys are responsible for removing metabolic products. Therefore, most often a metallic taste in the mouth and an ammonia odor from the oral cavity are experienced by people who have been diagnosed with problems in the functioning of the genitourinary tract.
Urine aroma from the mouth is one of the characteristic symptoms of disorders in the genitourinary tract. If there is a malfunction of the kidneys, tubular dysfunction, renal failure, dystrophy, as well as stones in the bladder, the processes of removing metabolic products (decomposition) from the body are disrupted.
Carrying through the bloodstream, they penetrate the lungs and become part of the air that we exhale. In case of renal failure, pyelonephritis, the smell of urine can emanate from the entire body.
Important! If the disease is in the acute stage, at the peak of its development, the smell of ammonia from the mouth will have an increased concentration.
In addition to bad breath, if the functioning of the kidneys is impaired, the following are noted: surges in blood pressure, the appearance of peripheral edema on the body, difficulty urinating, pain in the lumbar region, anemia of the mucous membranes.
Stale ammonia breath and a specific taste in adult patients are noted when:
- gastritis, peptic ulcers;
- pathology of the bile ducts, cholelithiasis;
- increased stomach acidity;
- pancreatitis;
- problems with the intestines (dysbacteriosis).
A metallic taste, a white coating on the tongue, and increased thirst may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus.
Important! A sharp uremic odor from the mouth may indicate an approaching glycemic coma. In addition to the foul odor, general health worsens, the skin and mucous membranes turn pale. The vision becomes dark, the head becomes dizzy, the heartbeat accelerates, and the overall body temperature rises.
An increase in the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream accelerates the formation of ketone bodies, which cause the appearance of a characteristic foul odor.
Olfactory hallucinations
Sick and recovered patients suggested that the smell of ammonia in the nose during coronavirus is a consequence of the immune system, its response to a viral attack. However, scientists refute this point of view, putting forward several theories.
According to virologists, ammonia and other strange aromas are delayed consequences of an infection. Information about such a post-Covid effect began to appear over the past two months, when the second wave began.
Research, the findings of which were published by the American publication JAMA, showed that in half of those infected with coronavirus, their sense of smell was fully restored a month after recovery. 40% of patients noted a noticeable improvement during this period, another 10% did not record any changes.
1 theory
Chief Researcher of the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine A. Chepurnov stated that “Covid-19 is a very insidious disease that affects all organs, including nerve endings. This leads to distortion of odors. Not all patients experience the problem of odors, and the causes of the symptom are not yet fully understood. There is a version that this is how the nervous system is restored.”
2 theory
A version has also been put forward about the coronavirus’s effect on blood vessels, as a result of which the outflow of blood from the brain slows down and venous blood stagnates. The capillaries expand, putting pressure on the olfactory bulb with many nerve branches responsible for sensitivity to odors.
Neurologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, head physician of the special care center Niomed R. Popovich said:
– There is a special term for this phenomenon – olfactory hallucinations. The symptom is not always harmless, and you can’t let things take their course. Especially if a lot of time has passed since the coronavirus, and your sense of smell still hasn’t returned.
It is better to consult a neurologist, since distortion of aromas is characteristic of many other pathologies, including oncology and the early stages of schizophrenia.
3 theory
M. Shipunov, head physician of the immunopathology clinic of the Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, believes this:
– Covid-19 damages the immune system so much that its cells begin to produce not only antibodies to this infection, but also to their own cells, including nerve cells. In fact, the body begins to fight with itself, and it takes time to restore the nervous system. Moreover, this will take a different time for each person, and it is impossible to predict even an approximate time frame for when everything will return to normal.
Thus, in scientific circles there are many possibilities to explain the ammonia odor. Most often it disappears on its own, but the process can be accelerated with the help of medications and other methods.
Other causes of urine odor from the mouth
Protein diets, prolonged fasting, monotonous, unbalanced nutrition, drinking a small amount of liquid per day often lead to disruption of water-salt and electrolyte balance. If a large amount of protein food enters the body, the load on the kidneys and liver increases significantly.
Medicines, protein complexes, and nutritional supplements can also cause bad breath. Especially if pharmacological preparations, mineral and vitamin complexes contain nitrogen-containing substances, amino acids, and proteins.
Abuse of alcohol, drugs, and bad habits lead to irreversible consequences in the body and provoke the development of various systemic pathologies and functional disorders.
A constantly emanating uremic aroma indicates a violation of biochemical processes in our body. Therefore, in order to eliminate and neutralize the stench, it is important to establish the root cause of ammonia “amber”.
How to get rid of it
Ideally, you need to see a doctor who will prescribe neuroprotectors and vitamin-mineral complexes. To speed up the regeneration of nerve endings, Glycine, which is easily found in every pharmacy, and B vitamins can be used.
The doctor must select the appropriate dosage, taking into account the patient’s complaints.
The ammonia aroma disappears when the infection is completely cleared from the body. This means that the normalization of the sense of smell is a sure sign of final recovery.
If ammonia vapors interfere with eating food that seems foul-smelling, you can switch to fresh foods - potatoes, rice. As a last resort, try protein shakes, which are prepared for athletes from special mixtures, but without flavoring additives or flavorings.
Doctors advise temporarily avoiding foods with strong flavors – in particular:
- fried meat and poultry;
- concentrated sauces and marinades;
- fresh garlic and onions;
- chocolate;
- products containing mint and menthol (including chewing gum).
It is also advisable to refrain from visiting stores selling perfumes and household chemicals, construction sites and shopping centers. It is better not to visit baths and saunas because the air is too dry, irritating the nasal mucosa and prolonging its recovery period.
Symptoms, diagnosis
Excess ammonia in the body can lead to a deterioration in general condition, malfunction of internal organs, slowdown of metabolism and metabolic processes at the cellular level. A person feels a sour-sweet taste, severe weakness, fatigue, irritability, and a deteriorating emotional state. Severe headaches, fever, sudden mood swings are possible.
A strong uremic odor from the mouth can occur in adults at any age. Only by establishing the root cause can you select adequate treatment and effective techniques that will restore fresh breath. It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination at a medical center.
Important! Therapeutic methods and pharmacological agents should be prescribed by a doctor based on the diagnostic results. Self-medication can only aggravate the situation and lead to the development of serious complications and health problems.
It is necessary to undergo examination by a gastroenterologist, therapist, endocrinologist, or dentist. It is imperative to do an ultrasound of the internal organs, a general and biochemical blood test.
Causes unrelated to the respiratory system
This symptom is characteristic of dysfunction of the endocrine and digestive systems. Severe diabetes mellitus and kidney disease lead to changes in metabolism, which, in turn, causes unpleasant odors.
The smell of ammonia (observed in the nose with a certain frequency) also haunts those who experience strong physical exertion. It occurs especially often in those who exercise but are malnourished or on a strict diet. This condition is caused by the release of ammonia during the breakdown of fatty tissue.
Unusual sensations can also accompany those who live in unfavorable conditions (eg mold in the apartment), often suffer from allergies, or have congenital or acquired abnormalities in the shape of the nasal cavity.
Treatment
Drug therapy, regimen, course, and duration of treatment are selected individually in each specific case. The choice of treatment methods depends on the root cause, age, and general physiological condition of the person.
Patients may be prescribed:
- enzyme agents;
- symptomatic medications;
- immunomodulators;
- hepatoprotectors;
- antibacterial, antiparasitic complex drugs;
- diuretics, hormones;
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
If bad breath is caused by acute or chronic pathologies or diseases, much attention is paid to symptomatic therapy and complex treatment.
Aerosols that suppress the development of pathogenic flora and special antiseptic solutions will help:
- Stopagin. A complex drug with a pronounced antiparasitic and antibacterial effect. Prescribed for rinsing.
- Chlorhexidine. Has an aseptic, bactericidal effect. Used to treat pathologies of the urinary system.
- Hexoral. An effective remedy for the treatment of dental diseases.
If endocrine disorders are diagnosed, treatment therapy is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. Drugs are prescribed to suppress the activity of the thyroid gland, normalize its functioning, and secretory activity. For thyrotoxicosis, radioactive iodine is used.
For renal diseases, drug therapy depends on the form and stage of the underlying disease. Diuretics, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents with complex effects may be prescribed, the action of which is aimed at relieving the clinical symptoms of the disease.
If uremic stench is provoked by strict diets, prolonged fasting, unbalanced nutrition, the attending physician or nutritionist will adjust the diet and prescribe a special diet to normalize metabolic processes and water and electrolyte balance in the body.
Other reasons
The reasons can be very different. One of them is diabetes. Problems with the liver and kidneys cause similar symptoms.
In this case, it becomes difficult to remove processed products from the body and intoxication begins.
- Acetone in the blood: why it appears, signs and forms of increase, diagnosis, therapy
The ammonia smell literally permeates every cell of the body.
Naturally, a person begins to feel it everywhere.
Important! The smell of acetone can accompany people actively engaged in weight loss.
The fact is that when fatty tissue breaks down, it forms two main compounds: glucose and ammonia. During intense training or other methods of sharply burning a large number of calories, a person may well feel an unpleasant odor.
During what diseases does it appear?
We can say that every disease has its own smell. Ammonia can be smelled in the exhaled air when a person has kidney disease or uremia.
The same smell comes from urine in the following diseases:
- Cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the bladder. Usually it develops due to infections, but it happens that the cause is simple hypothermia. Cystitis is manifested by frequent urges, cramps and pains, blood in the urine, weakness, urine becomes more turbid;
- with urethritis - inflammation of the urinary system, which most often begins due to the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms. It is manifested by cutting pain, changes in urine characteristics;
- with pyelonephritis - an inflammatory kidney disease of infectious origin. During it, not only the characteristics of urine change, but also chills, fever, severe pain in the lower back, and urinary disorders are possible;
- for venereal diseases. In this case, changes in the smell of urine occur due to inflammation of the genitourinary organs;
- with diabetes mellitus, in which the content of ketone bodies in the body increases significantly. Plus the patient is constantly experiencing dehydration;
- with hepatitis - an infectious lesion of the liver. During this disease, the urine becomes dark.
In addition, the smell of ammonia from urine can occur with pathology of the kidney tubules, renal failure or dystrophy, gardnerellosis, chlamydia, tuberculosis, amyloidosis, gout.
Prevention of pathology
Preventive measures include the following actions:
- thorough oral care - brushing your teeth at least twice a day using properly selected products, as well as cleaning your tongue;
- regular visits to the dentist;
- ensuring a balanced diet, which must include vegetables and fruits;
- rejection of bad habits;
- Using humidifiers for dry mouth.
If an unpleasant symptom does appear, make an appointment with a doctor. Only a specialist will help to correctly determine the cause of the pathology.
How to remove ammonia smell from shoes
The smell of ammonia from a person causes him many problems. For example, when the feet sweat, the moisture released soaks into the shoes, the smell of which is very noticeable. How to eliminate the strong stench from shoes, sneakers or other footwear?
Hydrogen peroxide is considered a simple and very good remedy. It is necessary to moisten a sponge or rag with the solution and thoroughly wipe all internal surfaces of the product.
Baking soda absorbs all kinds of odors well. Pour a layer of baking soda into stinking shoes and leave overnight. By morning the smell will completely disappear or be almost inaudible.
Another effective way to eliminate the stench of ammonia-smelling sweat is to dry your shoes every time you come home. If there are insoles, they need to be removed and dried too. It is the humid environment that promotes the growth of bacteria, which creates an unpleasant odor.
What to do to treat and eliminate the symptom based on the reasons stated above?
Treatment is prescribed by the doctor based on the reasons that caused the symptom.
When diabetes , a specific diet is prescribed, blood glucose levels are monitored, and insulin is prescribed.
Keep in mind! In addition, the patient should engage in physical therapy and increase physical activity.
If kidney diseases , which are divided into infectious and non-infectious, the doctor prescribes antibiotics, hormonal and diuretic drugs .
Additionally, physiotherapy, herbal medicine and vitamins and minerals are prescribed.
In the treatment of thyrotoxicosis the following is used:
- Drug treatment , which consists of taking drugs that reduce the activity of the thyroid gland.
- Radioactive iodine , which, when accumulated in the body, destroys the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Surgical intervention if the above methods do not help in treatment. The operation consists of removing the focus of thyrotoxicosis localized in the thyroid gland.
Treatment must be carried out with a mandatory diet , which is compiled individually for each patient.
Important! Be sure to control the amount of liquid you drink. This is necessary for proper kidney function.
You should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
If the diagnosis does not reveal any abnormalities in the human body, then you can get rid of the unpleasant odor with the help of
antiseptic drugs : Chlorhexidine, Hexoral, Stopangin.
They help suppress the oxidative reaction of the metabolism of pathogenic bacteria.
You should rinse your mouth with the medications 2 times a day.
Folk remedies
You should know! Using folk remedies will help get rid of the ammonia taste in the mouth:
- St. John's wort tincture. She needs to rinse her mouth after any meal. To prepare, you will need 30 drops of alcohol tincture, which are diluted with 1 glass of water.
- Strawberry tincture. She needs to rinse her mouth after any meal. To prepare, you will need 1 tablespoon of dried strawberry leaves, which are brewed in 2 cups of boiling water.
- Olive oil. You need to take 1 teaspoon of olive oil and rinse your mouth with it.
- Coffee beans. To eliminate the unpleasant odor, just chew a few coffee beans.
- Tincture of oak bark. She needs to rinse her mouth after any meal. To prepare, you will need 1 teaspoon of bark, which is poured with 200 ml of boiling water.
- Beeswax. You need to melt the beeswax in a water bath, add honey, lemon juice, and a few drops of mint or tea tree essential oil. Cool the mixture and roll it into balls. This gum can be chewed several times a day.
