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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Fruity Smell Of Breath?

My 85 year old father is in the hospital. His kidneys are working at 15%. He has GI bleeding, heart murmur, arrhythmia, mrsa of naris and pneumonia with cough. He is on oxygen and receives neb treatments. When I was visiting him this weekend, I noted that his breath has a fruity smell. Can the fruity breath be related to the mentioned ailments or be an indication of something else? Should I mention this observation to his doctors who aren't likely to sit as close to him as I did.
Tue, 25 Nov 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello there,
I can understand your concern about your father's health. The fruity smell you are mentioning could be due to ketoacidosis and you should definitely bring it to the doctors' notice. Usually in the hospital set up all parameters of acid base balance and electrolytes is performed regularly but if patient is stable they may not. It is better they check it up. Although the conditions you mentioned are not the reason he may have this fruity smell but all these conditions predispose him to have severe acid base and electrolyte disturbance. Also unchecked high sugars can rarely cause this condition.
So do not hesitate to discuss with the treating physician as it is better to be a little extra cautious in this age group of patients.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
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What Causes Fruity Smell Of Breath?

Hello there, I can understand your concern about your father s health. The fruity smell you are mentioning could be due to ketoacidosis and you should definitely bring it to the doctors notice. Usually in the hospital set up all parameters of acid base balance and electrolytes is performed regularly but if patient is stable they may not. It is better they check it up. Although the conditions you mentioned are not the reason he may have this fruity smell but all these conditions predispose him to have severe acid base and electrolyte disturbance. Also unchecked high sugars can rarely cause this condition. So do not hesitate to discuss with the treating physician as it is better to be a little extra cautious in this age group of patients. Hope this helps. Take care.