DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Breath odor

Why: may suggest Psychogenic halitosis (i.e. anxiety about breath odor often without having it) if you have noticed the breath odor and others have not.

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: to establish possibility of breath odor being due to poor hygiene or anaerobic infections of the mouth.

Why: to establish the possibility of mouth or dental disease as cause of breath odor.

Why: to determine possibility of alcohol as cause of breath odor.

Why: certain medications may cause breath odor.

Why: certain foods can precipitate breath odor e.g. garlic, fish, curry, onions, caffeine.

Why: cigarette smoking is a direct cause of breath odor and may increase the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx and trachea which also may cause breath odor.

Why: may be cause of breath odor.

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

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

Why: e.g. jaundice, bruising, swollen abdomen, leg swelling, drowsiness, stupor or coma.

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

Why: e.g. cough, sputum production, fever, shortness of breath, post-nasal drip.

Why: e.g. sore throat, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux.