Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or are too hot. They are also common when you are nervous, anxious or stressed.
Unusual changes in sweating, either too much sweating (hyperhidrosis) or too little sweating (anhidrosis), can be a cause for concern. Changes in body odor can also indicate a health problem.
Beyond hygiene, there are certain instances where illnesses or medical conditions can alter a person’s body odor. Here are some of the top medical conditions that cause body odor.
Bromhidrosis is a medical condition that causes extreme body odor. This occurs when bacteria on your skin break down sweat and produce an abnormal smell that mimics sulfur or onions. There are two types of bromhidrosis: apocrine and eccrine.
Apocrine bromhidrosis is the most common type, causing excessive underarm and genital odor. This odor occurs when sweat from the apocrine glands mixes with skin bacteria, creating an odor that may resemble onions, sulfur, or raw meat.
Eccrine bromhidrosis is a lesser-known form of bromhidrosis that causes foul-smelling sweat on the hands, feet, head, and trunk. This odor occurs when sweat from the eccrine glands softens the skin’s keratin, breaking down the bacteria that produces the excessive odor.
Hyperhidrosis causes your body to sweat more than normal. While hyperhidrosis doesn’t cause the odor itself, excessive sweating mixes with bacteria in your body, creating embarrassing body odor. There are two main types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.
Primary hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in one area of the body, such as the armpits, hands, feet, head, and groin. It is usually hereditary and affects about 5% of the population. Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by a medical condition or certain medications. Secondary hyperhidrosis causes sweating all over the body and can be reversed if the underlying medical cause is addressed or eliminated.
Patients with diabetes often face additional medical complications. Urinary tract infections related to diabetes and high blood glucose levels can increase body odor. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition in which your body lacks insulin, depriving your cells of the sugar they need for energy. One of the symptoms is a distinct fruity breath odor.
Thyroid glands regulate many bodily functions, including our response to sweating. When you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or Grave’s disease, your body may produce an excessive amount of sweat, even when you are not exercising.
The kidneys and liver help eliminate toxins from our body. When they can’t function properly, toxins can build up in the blood and digestive tract, creating odors. Kidney disease can cause urea to make your sweat smell like ammonia.
If you suspect you have a thyroid, kidney, or liver condition, see a healthcare professional right away.
Although this is incredibly rare, genetic mutations can also affect body odor.
Trimethylaminuria, or TMAU, is a disease that prevents your liver from breaking down the chemical trimethylamine.
Trimethylamine may have a fishy odor or smell like eggs or urine. When your body can’t break down this compound, it builds up in your body and is released in your sweat, urine and breath.
Secondary trimethylaminuria can occur if you take large oral doses of L-carnitine, lecithin, or choline. Lecithin and choline are contained in some dietary supplements. L-carnitine is sometimes used to increase strength in athletes, and choline treats Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. Symptoms disappear when doses are reduced or eliminated.
Hormonal fluctuations can cause excessive sweating and, by extension, body odor. Adolescents, pregnant women, and women in perimenopause or menopause may experience hot flashes and night sweats, which increases excessive sweating and odor, according to ThomsonThee, cites doctorulzilei.ro.
2023-09-21 22:49:46
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