Fetor hepaticus Definition, Smell, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Fetor hepaticus is a word used for specific breath odor. This breath odor is produced as a result of hepatic malfunctioning or damage known as encephalopathy. The toxins of brain when accumulated in the blood stream cause hepatic encephalopathy. Fetor hepaticus is also known as breath of the dead. Due to the liver late stage disease, the patient experience a foul breath. The toxins in the blood stream should be excreted from it by the use of various medications and dietary modifications. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated on time, it can be prove fatal for patient.

Fetor hepaticus Smell


Fetor hepaticus is a specified odor which is also known as breath of the dead. This smell is due to the toxins in the blood. These toxins which are not purified by the defected liver, start accumulating in the blood and causing problems in the vital functions of body along with effecting the organs. A foul smell is the result of these accumulated toxins. As these toxins start eliminating from blood, the fetor hepaticus odor also start diminishing. And it is considered a vital sign of treatment goes right and effective. So it is concluded that the odor is all about toxins.


Fetor hepaticus Definition, Smell, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Fetor hepaticus Causes

         
The main cause behind fetor hepaticus is the malnutrition or damaged liver, most of the time late stage liver disease is responsible for fetor hepaticus odor. The toxins are purified by the liver from all over the body, but when liver become damage i.e. encephalopathy occurs the liver is not able to purify toxins from body. So these toxins start accumulating in the blood stream and start circulating in the whole body. Various organs are effected due to these toxins and as a result foul smell produces, which is the main sign of this condition.

Fetor hepaticus Symptoms

           
As the cause behind fetor hepaticus is the damaged liver so the symptoms are also associated with liver functioning. The main symptom of fetor hepaticus is a foul smell or smell of the dead. This particular odor of breath is an indication of the liver disease. The liver encephalopathy shows many signs along with fetal hepaticus like pain in abdominal region. The patient show impaired speech. Delayed motor movements occur. The uncommon symptoms associated are confusion and impaired cognition. The patient also suffers from changes in his personality and significant lethargy. At late stage liver disease, it shows comatose state.


Fetor hepaticus Treatment

             
The fetor hepaticus or hepatic encephalopathy should be diagnosed on time because the severity of these conditions can lead to the death of patient. As hepatic encephalopathy is treated on time in order to control its severity. A chemotherapy is recommended to stop damaging liver. But most of the time the patient cannot survive because fetor hepaticus is the sign occur only when the patient is suffering from late stage hepatic disease. The mortality rate is high in fetor hepaticus. It is difficult to control fetor hepaticus immediately because the toxins spread all over the body.
Fetor hepaticus Definition, Smell, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Fetor hepaticus Definition, Smell, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Reviewed by Simon Albert on June 27, 2017 Rating: 5
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