Breath odor is the scent of the air you breathe out of your
mouth. Unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor is
commonly called bad breath. Bad breath; Halitosis Some disorders
will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath. Bad
breath related to poor oral hygiene is most common and caused by
release of sulphur compounds by bacteria in the mouth. A fruity
odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of
excess acetone through the breathing. This is a sign of
ketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes. It is a potentially
life-threatening condition. Breath that smells like feces can
occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel
obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a
tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain
the stomach contents (nasogastric tube) in place. The breath may
have an ammonia-like odor (also described as urine-like or
"fishy") in people with chronic kidney failure. If previously
normal breath turns into halitos