'I have very bad breath since childhood, please tell me what to do'
Foul breath can be temporarily minimized by chewing cardamom, cloves or fennel seeds, says an Ayurveda doctor
A reader ask: I am a 28-year-old man and my problem is that I have very bad breath since childhood. Now I found that I am suffering from ulcer.
People around me tell me that its due to my liver dysfunction . Recently I started treatment for ulcer. My weight is increasing rapidly. I also want to know what’s ailing me, since I never get my food digested easily. Doctor please give me some advice.
Dr Jomol Mariam Thomas, Dubai Health Authority licensed Ayurveda Practitioner, Senior Ayurveda Consultant, Dr Shyam’s Ayurveda Centre, Dubai, replies: The multiple health issues in your case requires a comprehensive investigation and examination for an appropriate assessment and recommendation. Considering the overall symptoms, the probability of impairment of metabolism can’t be ruled out.
The bad breath usually results from many underlying disorders including dental caries, diseases of gum, poor oral hygiene, bacterial action on plaques, decay of sulphur yielding foods (proteins) or even due to rhinitis, sinusitis or lung diseases. Since it is a problem from your childhood it could be either due to chronic sinusitis, atrophic rhinitis or impaired digestive functions. The exact treatment suggestion is possible only after proper assessment of underlying cause .
The condition called pooti nasa or pooti aasyatha, which is correlated to the foul breath is generally due to sinusitis or rhinitis and the condition is well treated with a nasal cleansing therapy called as Nasyam. Kavala and Gandusham (oil pulling and Gargling), Dhoomapanam (inhalation of medicated fumes), vamanam (emesis therapy) etc.
The foul breath can be temporarily minimized by chewing of cardamom, cloves or fennel seeds.
Constipation can also be a cause as it blocks the downward movement of vatha (gas ) resulting in foul breath . Hence forth the diet modification for improving digestion and to relieve the constipation is highly required .
With regard to the ulcer mentioned in your mail, more information is required as you have not mentioned the area of ulcer, whether it’s mouth ulcer, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
In gastric ulcer a pain is felt after having a meal as the food irritates the ulcer, therefore one tends to avoid eating, whereas in duodenal ulcer, the increased acid secretion oozes down into the duodenum and causes erosion and here one prefers over eating. If in case of duodenal ulcer, an overeating to calm down the irritation should be a cause for your weight gain too.
A sedentary life style, poor eating habits, high fat intake, insufficient fibre, etc can impair your metabolic activities.
In any case of faulty metabolism, impaired digestion or ulcers the balancing of pitha is highly recommended.
- • Avoid heavy, dry, penetrating, spicy, and sour foods.
- • Avoid ice-cold drinks, especially carbonated ones
- • Minimise the intake of non-vegetarian foods especially red meat
- • Intake of black gram, potatoes, yoghurt, full cream milk, ice creams etc should be avoided
- • Avoid tea, coffee, and alcohol
- • Avoid excessive sun exposure and fasting.
- • Avoid keeping awake at night as well as day sleep.
Have light and easily digestible food at regular intervals. Use whole-wheat flour with bran , brown rice or parboiled rice, skimmed milk, coconut water, and barley water.
- • Intake of Dhanyaka Hima (water which is processed with coriander seeds kept overnight can relieve the gastric discomfort, heart burn) or water boiled with cumin seeds can be favored
- • Intake of Triphala at bedtime with warm water is a great cleanser for all dosha types. It supports regular elimination and detoxification, aids efficient digestion, and enhances overnight metabolic activities.
- • The green gram dal cooked in decoction of khadira (acacia catechu) may also be taken regularly for maintaining your body weight.
- • The decoction made from Venga (Pterocarpus marsupium) taken with honey will help you to regulate the weight while eating a balanced diet and practicing physical exercise.
For the most suitable Ayurveda recommendations, you need to consult an Ayurvedic doctor in person.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of doctors are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
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