A sweet odor coming from your mouth is never something to take lightly. This sweet aroma can actually be a serious danger sign sent by your body. In particular, one of the hallmark symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acetone smell, presenting as a sweet, fruity breath odor.
Our body uses glucose to obtain energy, and a hormone called insulin is required for this process. Insulin acts as a gatekeeper that allows glucose in the blood to enter cells. However, in people with diabetes, cells cannot properly use glucose as an energy source because insulin is deficient (type 1 diabetes) or insulin cannot perform its role properly (type 2 diabetes).
When this occurs, the body perceives an emergency state due to the lack of energy and attempts to produce energy by breaking down fat. During the process of breaking down fat, substances called ketone bodies are produced. If these ketone bodies accumulate excessively, the blood turns acidic, leading to ketoacidosis. Acetone, one of the ketone bodies, is highly volatile, so when it is expelled through the lungs, it triggers a distinctive breath odor resembling acetone or a sour yet sweet fruity fragrance.
Ketoacidosis easily occurs when patients with type 1 diabetes miss their insulin injections, or when patients with type 2 diabetes experience a sudden rise in blood glucose due to severe stress, infection, or illness. If dismissed as simple breath odor, it can lead to a life-threatening emergency, so it should never be taken lightly.
In addition to sweet breath odor, symptoms of ketoacidosis can include extreme thirst, urinary frequency, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and in severe cases, decreased level of consciousness. If these symptoms appear together, you should visit a hospital emergency room without delay.
Besides ketoacidosis, a sweet breath odor can also arise from certain diets, such as a ketogenic diet, or rarely from kidney disease, congenital metabolic disorder, and other causes. Even so, individuals with diabetes need to be especially cautious.
The statement in Donguibogam that a sweet taste appears in the mouth due to heat in the spleen reflects our ancestors' insight into metabolic disorder resulting from insulin resistance or blood glucose imbalance in modern medicine. Signals from the body always tell the truth. If you ever notice this sweet warning sign from your body, consult a professional to receive an accurate diagnosis.
