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May 2014

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Foods That May Cause Body Odor

Body odor is a common problem among many people. The nature of one’s work, the wrong perfume, and genes are among the many suspects for this smelly dilemma. What is surprising is that even the foods a person eats could be the reason for body odor. Get to know the foods that may cause body odor.

Spicy Food

A kind of food truly notorious for perpetrating body odor is spicy dishes. Spicy food can increase the level of sulfur in the body, and the excess are eliminated through the skin’s pores and through the breath. Avoid having too much garlic and onion. If you cannot help eating garlic and onion, drink milk after you finish your meal.

Sulfur-Rich Food

Aside from spicy ones, a certain genus of vegetables which includes cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower are rich in sulfur.

Meat

Going vegan can have odor-fighting benefits. Meat, especially red meat, is difficult to digest. The body will need to exert maximum effort in the digestion process, and having too much meat results to perspiration, which can cause body odor.

Alcoholic Drinks

When alcohol is digested, most of its parts get transformed into acetic acid while being processed in the liver. However, the rest of the alcohol is expelled from the body through perspiration and respiration. Excessive alcohol drinking can lead not only to pungent breath but also to foul-smelling sweat.

Asparagus

Asparagus does not only make the urine smell rotten. Eating asparagus can also lead to body odor. However, it has been discovered that a person’s ability to perceive odor and a person’s ability to produce odor are entirely exclusive. This means that the person who eats asparagus can smell his or her rotten odor, but the people around him or her cannot.

Junk Food

Binging on junk food matched with little to no physical activity can cause body odor. The main reason for body odor is the over accumulation of fatty cells in the body. Junk foods, which take longer to digest than healthy food choices, contribute to the buildup of fatty cells causing body odor.

Fish

After eating a serving of fish, there are people who have the tendency to produce choline in their sweat, which can possibly result to bad odor.

Low-carb Foods

Carbohydrates help in the digestion process. When a person does not eat high-carb meals, digestion will take longer which will result to overabundance of protein in the body and excessive sweating. Also, too much protein in the body can lead to the production of ketones which cause body odor.

Dairy Products

Dairy products are rich in protein, and high protein levels in the body can lead to body odor. Too much consumption of dairy products also triggers the release of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan in the body. The release of those substances results to body odor.

Having too much of a certain kind of food can lead to body odor. The main step in preventing body odor due to food intake is to always have a healthy and balanced diet.

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Health and Fitness

Gum Problems: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

There are many kinds of gum problems. Such troubles include merely swelling to serious conditions where tissues become damaged. Get acquainted with the many factors that cause gum problems. Know the treatment options available for people afflicted with health conditions related to the gums. Become aware of the ways on gum problem prevention.

Overview

There would be no healthy teeth if there are no healthy gums. Gums support the teeth and keep them in position. There are many kinds of problems that can be encountered concerning the overall wellness of the gums. As a matter of fact, gum problems are widespread that about half of the adults all around the world are suffering from a certain gum problem. Treatment of gum problems can be as simple as maintaining a proper dental hygiene and can be too complicated that surgery may be required.

Causes

Gum problems are mainly caused by plaque and tartar buildup. This happens when bacteria thrive all over the mouth, in between teeth and along the gum line. When tartar starts forming, the gums’ overall wellness is jeopardized.

Treatment

The treatment option employed depends on the kind of gum problem and its severity. The main objective of the treatment is to control and halt the infection.

The dentist may do thorough dental cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing. Scaling involves the scrubbing off of tartar deposits above and below the gum line. Root planning is mainly concerned with removing the rough spots on the tooth’s root where germs thrive. Root planning also involves bacteria removal. Deep cleaning methods utilizing lasers are also now made available.

Medications may also be prescribed along with the deep cleaning procedures. Prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse which contains chlorhexidine is given to control bacteria causing gingivitis. It is also prescribed to a patient who underwent a gum surgery. Antiseptic chip is a small gelatin which also contains chlorhexidine. Like the mouth rinse, it also helps remove bacteria as well as to make the gum pockets smaller. An antibiotic gel is almost exactly the same with an antiseptic chip except that it is in the form of a gel and it contains doxycycline instead of chlorhexidine. Antibiotic microspheres are similar to antiseptic chips and antibiotic gels but they contain minocycline. Enzyme suppressants may also be administered to regulate the production of enzymes that can cause gum tissue breakdown. Oral antibiotics may also be given to address gum infection.

When gum problems are severe, surgery may be performed. There are two basic surgeries done on gums namely flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts. The former may be necessary when the gums are swollen and the latter is performed to help recover any bone or gum tissue damaged by a certain gum problem.

Prevention

Gum problems can be prevented if the buildup of plaque and tartar are minimized. Regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist can help prevent the occurrence of a gum problem. Moreover, mouthwashes may also be used after brushing for more effective removal of bacteria that cause plaque and tartar accumulation in the mouth.

Gum problems can be simple but they can also be exceedingly severe. The primary weapon against gum problems is the right knowledge about their causes, treatment, and prevention.

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Health and Fitness

Causes of Bad Breath

Aside from being merely something disgusting and displeasing especially when another person notices, bad breath can also be a sign that you are suffering from a certain disease. Know the possible causes of your bad breath including those that you may never have thought to give your breath an awful smell.

Food

Certain kinds of food are among the main reasons why your breath smells terrible. Cheese, garlic, onions, and spicy dishes are just among the many types of food that have a strong and persisting smell. People who eat such food can have an awful-smelling breath, but it usually goes away after brushing the teeth or using mouthwash.

Poor Dental Hygiene

Bad breath turns from a short term woe to a long term dilemma when you have a poor dental hygiene. Food debris gets stuck in between teeth and rots over time thus causing bad breath. Also, such matter can cause plaque buildup which by itself also smells terrible. Brushing of teeth must be done at least twice a day, or preferably every after meal. Washing with mouthwash is also highly recommended to get rid of the germs brushing alone cannot deal with. Flossing after eating also helps in removing food particles stuck in between teeth.

Tobacco Products

Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause bad breath because of its chemical content. Moreover, continued smoking can lead to health conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer, and these ailments also contribute to causing bad breath.

Certain Diseases

Since ailments causing bad breath were already mentioned, it is proper to emphasize on them. Truly, there are health conditions that include bad breath among their symptoms. Besides gum disease and oral cancer, other sicknesses causing bad breath are pneumonia, sore throat, bronchitis, diabetes, and liver and kidney problems.

Some Medications

There are medications that dry the mouth such as antihistamines, diuretics, and antidepressants. A dry mouth means there is lack or complete absence of saliva. Saliva washes away bacteria and particles that cause bad breath. Thus, medications that dry the mouth can cause bad breath.

Diet

Aside from those certain types of food that cause bad breath because they are by themselves terrible-smelling, there are also those that cause bad breath because of their functions or what they are comprised of. Types of food that are rich in protein as well as dairy products have high levels of amino acids, and bacteria which can cause bad breath feed on amino acids. Moreover, skipping meals and fasting can also cause bad breath. When you skip a meal or opt for a low-carbohydrate diet, fats are broken down and ketones are produced in the process. Ketones give off bad odor that can be smelled.

Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing dries the mouth which causes bad breath. People sick with respiratory problems like asthma sometimes find it hard to breathe well, so they employ mouth breathing. People who snore and who suffer from sleep apnea also succumb to mouth breathing at times.

Every person suffers from at least an incidence of bad breath throughout his or her lifetime. However, there are no statistics projecting measurable data on bad breath since for a condition to be recorded, it must be reported.

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Health and Fitness

Halitosis and How to Get Rid of It

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. It is characterized by an awful smell emanating from a person’s mouth. While this condition is far from life threatening, halitosis can gravely affect a person’s quality of life. It is important to get rid of bad breath right before someone else starts smelling something oddly rotten.

Brush and Floss

Bad breath often results from an individual’s failure to keep his or her teeth pearly white and spic-and-span. Brushing and flossing both help in getting rid of the food debris that gets stuck in between teeth. It is important to brush the teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once every day, or every after meal. While rinsing with mouthwash can provide fresh breath, its effect could only last for a short period. Regular brushing and flossing can provide long-term and concrete solutions to bad breath woes.

Remember the Tongue

Bacteria do not only thrive in between teeth and on the gum line. They are also abundant on the tongue. The rough surface on top of the tongue can house multitudes of dead cells, bacteria causing bad breath, and even microscopic food debris. Be sure to brush the tongue after brushing the teeth and gums. For an even cleaner tongue, it is best to use a tongue cleaner.

Consider the Dentures

For people wearing dentures, it is also important to clean them regularly. Avoid wearing dentures during sleep to give the mouth a chance to rest.

Stay Hydrated

When a person lacks body fluids, specifically water, the production of saliva gets affected. Saliva keeps the mouth clean and fresh since it washes away bacteria and other particles that can cause bad breath. When the mouth is dry, bad breath ensues. To avoid having a dry mouth whatever time of the day it is, always drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

Avoid the Culprits

To get rid of bad breath, you must also be well aware of the many things that can cause it. There are several reasons that can lead to this condition, including poor dental hygiene, eating certain kinds of food, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and underlying diseases. Even going on a diet can cause bad breath. Avoiding activities and things that can cause bad breath is a great way to maintain fresh breath.

Eat Healthy

Vegetables and fruits do not only nourish the body with important vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy and strong. Many kinds of fruits and vegetables also help provide fresh breath. Fruits rich in ascorbic acid, more commonly referred to as vitamin C, kill bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons are rich in vitamin C. Raw crunchy fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber also contribute to fresh breath by getting rid of food debris stuck in the mouth and stimulating saliva production.

Visit the Dentist

Tartar buildup may persist despite all the efforts to clean the mouth and keep the breath fresh. As such, both adults and children must undergo professional cleaning by a dentist at least twice a year.

Halitosis may not affect the overall health adversely but it can surely ruin names and reputations. It can also reduce one’s confidence. For a better disposition in life, get rid of halitosis or bad breath as soon as symptoms become visible.

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Pets

Causes of Diphtheria in Dogs

Diphtheria is a form of bacterial infection that distresses the patient’s upper respiratory tract. Patients suffering from diphtheria are commonly observed to have low fever, sore throat, and presence of adherent membranes on the tonsils, nasal cavity, or the pharynx. Veterinarians still argue about the presence of diphtheria in canines. However, there are evidences that diphtheria can really be acquired by dogs. Dogs sick with diphtheria exhibit symptoms, such as difficulty both in swallowing and breathing, fever, chills, and fatigue.

The causes of diphtheria in dogs are found to be similar to what causes diphtheria in human beings.

Airborne Transmission

Diphtheria can be acquired by dogs if they inhale air contaminated with Corynebacterium diphtheria, a kind of bacterium that causes diphtheria. When an infected patient coughs or sneezes, the bacteria are contained in the air the diseased person or animal exhales, thereby infecting any dog or human inhaling that air.

Direct Contact with Secretion

The bacterium causing diphtheria can also be found in the secretions of a person or dog infected with this disease. If the dog, or a person for that matter, establishes direct contact with the infected secretion, the disease can possibly spread.

Direct Contact with Skin Ulcers

A skin ulcer is a wound or lesion found on the skin or a mucus membrane. Its presence is accompanied with the breakdown of the tissue. One of the many causes of skin ulcers is bacterial infection and, in this case, it is diphtheria. Since diphtheria caused the skin ulcer, the bacteria are also thriving on that sore. Direct contact with that infected wound can cause the spread of the disease from the infected patient to the vulnerable individual be it dog or human.

Infected Items

Diphtheria may also spread through household items and personal belongings. Any form of secretion from a person or dog infected with diphtheria can be in direct contact with an object. This object becomes a carrier of the infection and either a dog or person vulnerable to the disease may contract it simply by touching the infected object. Though getting diphtheria due to contaminated objects is a rarity, it remains a possibility.

Risk Factors

A person or dog is more likely to acquire diphtheria in crammed and dirty spaces. Moreover, unvaccinated and undernourished dogs and humans are also more susceptible to this disease.

Diphtheria used to be a dreadful epidemic that took many lives. Today, with the advancement of medical technology, diphtheria no longer serves as a threat and can actually be prevented. Vaccines are available to immunize both people and canines from this disease. In fact, the diphtheria serum has already been a part of the regular dog vaccination process. Moreover, diphtheria nowadays happened to be mere isolated cases.

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