Our sense of smell can serve as an early warning system for a range of health issues. Oftentimes, we ignore these smells because we tend to associate most unpleasant smells with bad hygiene.

But identifying unusual smells emanating from your body can be an indicator of an underlying health problem that you should not overlook. Here are some hidden health issues that can be recognized by smelling your body:.

1. Sweet or Fruity Odor in Your Breath

If you notice that your breath smells unusually sweet or fruity, it may be the first sign of diabetes. When your body is unable to produce enough insulin, it starts to break down fats for energy.

During this process, chemicals called ketones are produced which can give your breath a sweet or fruity odor. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you may experience this odor if your blood sugar level is high.

2. Foul Smelling Urine

Healthy urine does not have a strong odor. If you notice that your urine has a strong smell, it could be an indication of a urinary tract infection, UTI. UTIs, caused by bacteria, can cause an ammonia-like odor in your urine.

In some cases, kidney stones can also lead to an unpleasant odor in your urine.

3. Bad Breath

While bad breath is often a result of poor dental hygiene, it can also be a warning sign of other health issues.

Bad breath can be caused by various factors that are not related to the teeth or gums, including digestive problems, sinus infections, or even liver disease. If bad breath persists even after dental hygiene, you may want to see a healthcare practitioner.

4. Musty or Fishy Vaginal Odor

Women may notice a musty or fishy odor emanating from their vaginal area, which can be an indicator of bacterial vaginosis, BV. BV is a common vaginal infection caused by bacteria that disrupts the balance of bacteria in the vagina.

This can lead to an overgrowth of certain bacteria resulting in a foul odor.

5. Fruity Smell on Your Skin

Similar to the fruity odor in your breath, a fruity smell on your skin can also be an indication of diabetes.

It happens when the body is unable to break down sugar and produce enough energy, leading to the production of ketones which can give off a fruity smell.

6. Sour Smelling Sweat

Sweat itself doesn’t have a smell; rather, it’s the bacteria on your skin that breaks down sweat into fatty acids that cause body odor.

However, if your sweat smells sour or vinegary, it may indicate that you have a zinc or magnesium deficiency. These minerals play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body odor. If you’ve ruled out hygiene or dietary factors and still notice a sour odor, speak to your healthcare practitioner about possible nutrient deficiencies.

7. Foul Smelling Gas

Passing gas is a normal part of digestive function. However, if you notice a foul smelling gas coming out of your body more frequently than usual, it may indicate a GI issue.

Digestive issues such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, can all cause unpleasant gas. If you experience other GI symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhea, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner.

8. Sweet Smelling Breath or Urine in Infants

Newborns and infants may have sweet smelling breath or urine, which is not normal. This could be an indication of a rare genetic disorder called Maple Syrup Urine Disease, MSUD. MSUD is caused by the body’s inability to break down certain amino acids.

Infants with MSUD cannot digest these amino acids properly, and it can lead to seizures, developmental delays and other complications. If you notice a sweet odor in your baby, speak to a healthcare practitioner.

9. Musty Smelling Skin on Children

If your child has musty smelling skin, it may be an indicator of a rare genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria, PKU. PKU occurs when the body cannot process an amino acid called phenylalanine.

If left untreated, PKU can lead to developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other health problems. It is important to identify PKU early and treat it appropriately.

10. Bad Body Odour

Everyone has their unique body odor. However, if your body has developed a bad odor that doesn’t seem to go away even after showering and using deodorants, it could be a symptom of an underlying health condition.

Health conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes or even cancer can cause changes in body odor. If you have ruled out all other potential causes for your bad smell, it is crucial to seek medical attention and rule out more serious health issues.