What would cause my breath to smell like I've been drinking sometimes and I have not? Nor did I have anything to drink the night before? I've gotten in trouble at work because I suffer from occasional vascular migraines and I look like I'm drinking and now my supervisor says I smelled like I was drinking. I think she's lying -- but could there be a cause? I don't drink because I'm really a chronic dieter and don't want the empty calories.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
kstew likes this.
Hello Byrdie,
There are some people that produce alcohol in their intestinal tract from undigested food in excess of normal amounts. This has resulted in incorrect accusations, arrests, and even, in some cases, intoxication without actually drinking alcoholic beverages.
Ask your physician to check the possibility of this in your situation.
Best of Health,
Doc Kelley
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Do you know if any vitamins or minerals taken as
a daily supplement cause the same smell ??
Also, do you know if Diflucan taken daily can cause
a similar smell or interact with other drugs to cause
an alcohol aroma ??
Charles
kstew likes this.
Hello Charles,
I am not aware of any vitamins or minerals taken as daily supplements that could cause a "false smell of alcohol breath." Nor am I familiar with Diflucan causing it directly or interacting with other drugs to cause it. Rather than Diflucan for yeast and other fungal problems you may wish to try a natural product called Candex produced by PureEssence Labs, 888-254-8000.
It is possible, however, that you are perceiving this smell with ketosis. Ketosis occurs when your body has shifted from burning glucose for energy to burning ketones. This occurs naturally after not eating overnight and after exercise. Excessive ketones are eliminated in your urine and in air that you breathe out.
Ketones are NOT bad unless you are a Type I diabetic. In fact, your heart and brain run 25% more efficiently on ketones than on blood sugar.
You can increase the elimination of ketones and ketone-breath by increasing the amount of water you drink. You can safely drink up to one half your weight in ounces of water every day. For a 160 pound person that would be 80 ounces or 10 glasses of water daily. That is an awful lot of water. It represents the upper safety limit for intake. You may never consume that much every day, but if you are not drinking even close to that amount of water every day, you definitely need to drink more. Adding fresh lemon or lime juice to water makes it tastier and easier to drink more.
One other consideration would be that some people produce excessive amounts of alcohol in their gastrointestinal tract. This is rather rare, but if you are not experiencing ketosis, this may be something to explore. You can have your urine tested for ketones. You can also probably purchase ketone test strips via the Internet. Just search for Ketosis and follow links until you find a source of test strips. If your urine is not showing excess ketones while you are experiencing "alcohol breath," see a physician that may be able to test you for excess production of alcohol in your system.
Best of Health,
Doc Kelley
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thank you I am a Paralegal and I AM FIGHTING for a cllient of mine who was charged with impaired
respectfully
Paton & Associates
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Hello Arlene,
You are welcome. Good luck to you and your client!
Best of Health,
Doc Kelley
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I was wondering. If the person has the smell of alcohol on their breath. Would you be able to take a test strip (one that detects alcohol)
Would the test strip show that they have alcohol in their system.
I am asking this because I have tested someone that has alcohol on their breath. The strips says they have had alcohol but they demand they haven't had anything to drink.
What are your thoughts..
kstew likes this.
Hello Robert,
If the person produces excess alcohol in their intestinal tract from their foods, they could potentially test positive for alcohol in their system.
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Is there a way a doctor can test for the excess coming from their intestinal tract aside from a keystone strip. My mom has smelled like it a few times and swears she isn't drinking and my girls are with her often and say they don't ever see her drink either. Can it be treated? Is it dangerous even if they have not been diagnosed with diabetes.?
kstew likes this.
Hello Tgagler,
Your Mom could be pre-diabetic or have an overgrowth of fermentation-producing bacteria in her intestinal tract.
Please check this article: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2017-01-13/auto-brewery-syndrome-an-unusual-drunk-driving-excuse-slowly-gains-acceptance
This attorney tests clients in the office.
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Can this also cause you to taste like alcohol when someone kisses you? I have problems with digestion, liver function and with sugar and my boyfriend randomly asks me if I've been drinking when I haven't even been near alcohol. I'm not sure if he smells or tastes alcohol or if it's just in his head, but it's happened more than a few times and I'm becoming concerned that it may be a symptom of a medical issue that I'm not detecting.
kstew likes this.
Hello kstew,
Have your boyfriend read the article recommended for Tgagler in the Feb 22 post on this Forum. It should more than answer your and his questions. In short, your "problems with digestion, liver function and with sugar" could certainly make you a candidate for this condition.
You are more than welcome.
Best of Health.
Hello Doc Kelley,
I have read all the forum above, and the article you suggested with Tgagler, but I am having a hard time believing my husband is clean. He is a recovering alcoholic for a year now. Has not drank anything. But from time to time I can still smell it on his breath, which has caused us to have a problem in our relationship now. He just started a "Keto diet" within the last 2 weeks, since he still has the belly fat that he wants to deplete from having an extra 50-60 lbs to loose. Plus... he has started on a regimen of swimming 3-4 times a week for 30-45 min increments in the morning, to get into better shape. We are also kinda on a little bit of another diet, which we do a lot of gluten-free and dairy free options, since my son has allergies to them. Not every meal do we do this, but most of them. For the last year he has been doing really well and he has not had issues till just recently. He believes after reading this article it explains the reasons why. But for me sadly, I need more proof, since he hid his alcoholism from me for over 7 yrs. I know it sounds like this may be a therapy thing, but I need scientific evidence to prove that he is stating the truth. So what I've read is besides the keytone strips or alcohol strips the better way to find out about his condition is to take him to a doctor....? Correct?
Thanks,
Lewis
Hello Lewis,
With a "Keto diet;" 50 - 60 pounds to lose; 30 - 45 minutes of swimming 3 - 4 times per week; and gluten-free/dairy-free dietary options, your husband could very well have a false smell of alcohol breath from the extra ketones being produced from this regimen.
If you need more scientific proof and wish to consult a doctor, my only suggestion would be to make sure the doctor you see is familiar with the concept of "false smell of alcohol breath" and is not biased against its validity.
Best of Health,
Doc Kelley
Kelleey advice is really great. I just want to add to that you should start taking natural mouth freshers too as it will help you. One of my friends who works for a Los Angeles DUI attorney told me this trick. Never tried it though!