TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Next Prev
Symptoms » Body odor » Diagnosis Checklist
 
Dr. Huntley's

DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Body odor

Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Body odor. These may include a physical examination or other medical tests. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.

Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

  1. How long have you noticed the body odor?- to determine if acute or chronic
  2. What is your cleaning/hygiene routine?- to establish possibility of body odor being due to poor hygiene
  3. Teeth and gum hygiene?- to establish possibility of anaerobic infections of the mouth as cause
  4. Alcohol history?

    Why: to determine possibility of alcoholism as cause.

  5. Cigarette smoking?

    Why: cigarette smoking is a cause of body odor.

  6. Dietary history?

    Why: certain foods can precipitate body odor e.g. garlic, fish, curry, onions, asparagus.

  7. Caffeine intake, including coffee, tea and coca cola drinks?

    Why: caffeine can stimulate sweat activity.

Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. These may include:

  1. Excessive perspiration

    Why: may be cause.

  2. Vaginal or penile discharge

    Why: may suggest vaginitis or urethritis as cause.

  3. Itchy, scaling, odorous feet?

    Why: may suggest tinea pedis (Athlete's foot).

  4. Disturbance of consciousness?

    Why: may suggest alcoholism, diabetic ketoacidosis, renal failure and hepatic coma.

  5. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?

    Why: e.g. rapid breathing, vomiting, unwell, dehydrated.

  6. Symptoms of urinary tract infection?

    Why: e.g. painful urination, frequency of urination.

  7. Symptoms of hepatic coma?

    Why: e.g. drowsiness, stupor or coma.

  8. Symptoms of renal failure?

    Why: e.g. poor energy, poor appetite, frequency of urination, need to urinate at night, nausea, vomiting, itching.


 » Next page: Types of Body odor

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

Tools & Services:

Medical Articles:

Forums & Message Boards
 
HONcode We subscribe to the HONcode principles

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.

Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise

Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved.