2. Chronic Conditions That Cause Bad Breath
Sometimes, the cause of bad breath from lungs is a lifelong affliction. A study report published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, suggests that some medical disorders can alter breath odour, including cystic fibrosis (CF) among others. This condition causes thickened mucus in the lungs, and as a result many CF patients have recurrent airway infections and post-nasal drip. This disease is inherited and has no cure, so the thickened mucus and difficulty breathing may always be a concern.
The Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science notes that among the
diseases causing halitosis - nasopharyngeal abscess and lower respiratory
tract infections such as bronchiectasis, carcinoma of the larynx, lung
abscess, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases and pneumonia should be mentioned. People with asthma often breathe through their mouths, which dries out oral tissues. Many of the bacteria that cause bad breath flourish in a dry mouth. Additionally, medicated inhalers can also have a side effect of dry mouth, further compounding the problem.
Lung cancer is another condition that has a distinctive odour and can be even identified by the specific combination of gases in a person's breath, MIT News reports. A group of students from MIT and Harvard developed a smartphone-connected sensor that detects these compounds and provides a safe and inexpensive way to detect the disease.
How to Resolve Bad Breath From Lungs
When you have a sinus infection, allergies or post-nasal drip, the bacteria in your mouth can convert the proteins found in mucus to a substance called skatole, which can make your breath smell like mothballs. Rinsing your sinuses with warm water will help clear the mucus from the area. Taking allergy medication or an antibiotic, if prescribed by your physician, may help alleviate any respiratory conditions as soon as possible.
For CF patients, treatment may include nasal irrigation or taking antibiotics. In addition, nasal steroids may be recommended by a physician. Patients with asthma should focus on staying well hydrated to combat the effects of dry mouth.