The Sentinel

What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

DANVILLE - Death, taxes and body odor.

They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.

B.O. basics

Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.

“Specifically in the armpits and genital area, there are glands called apocrine glands. They are high in protein and fat,” Dr. Garcia explains. “Bacteria that live with us will break those substances, and that’s what could cause odors.”

Your urine can even smell foul, Dr. Garcia adds.

Warning signs

Dr. Garcia says if you notice a change in your body odor, especially if a smell comes on suddenly or if the stench gets worse, it’s worth investigating. He says it may just be a product of what you eat and drink. Dehydration, supplements, or eating spicy, garlicy or onion-rich food can lead to body odor.

Image: Mohamed Hassan/Pixabay

But, body odor changes could also be a sign of infection, metabolic issues, liver disease, kidney disease or gum disease. And in women (mostly adults), odor changes in the urine or genital area could even be a sign of cervical cancer. Putrid-smelling urine or a fish-like smell from the genital area are signs women should watch for, Dr. Garcia says.

“Fruity or sweet odors,” should also be looked into, Dr. Garcia adds. “It might be an indication of serious conditions like diabetes or metabolic disease.”

If your body odor comes with serious symptoms, like bleeding or a fever, call 9-1-1 and get to the emergency department. But for most other cases, a visit to your primary care provider or an urgent care is a good first step.

Key takeaways:

Some body odor is natural. But if you notice a change, it may be a sign of a bigger problem like an infection, organ issues, diabetes or even cancer.
If your odor comes with serious symptoms like bleeding, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, make an appointment with a health care provider.
Aside from general hygiene, steps to reduce body odor include: have good air flow in your home, change out of damp clothes quickly, eat less spicy food and shave body hair.

Prevention

Good hygiene – like showering, brushing and flossing your teeth and using deodorant – goes a long way to prevent body odor. But Dr. Garcia has some lesser-known tips for parents and others to keep in mind:

Maintain good air flow in your home. This prevents a warm and moist environment that can lead to smells.
Have plenty of clothes handy, especially if your child is active.
“Make sure they change clothes [when needed]. Use a new set of clothes after sweating or exercising,” Dr. Garcia says.
Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics like nylon and polyester are good for working out.
Change other habits to see if you notice a change. Eat less spicy food, or switch your deodorant or toothpaste. Also, stress can trigger sweating. So take steps to reduce stress, such as deep breathing, meditation or seeing a mental health professional.
Consider shaving body hair, particularly your armpits and genital area. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria.

If you take these steps and body odor persists, you may be able to rule out everyday stink as the cause and decide the time is right to see a health care provider.

Holidays are no time to talk turkey, avoiding stress and tension around the table

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

The holidays are fast approaching. Families across the country will soon gather to break bread, exchange gifts and partake in each other’s company.

Photo provided

Therasa Yehling
Strive Trauma Recovery Center Manager

But the holiday season can also be a time that heightens unwanted stress.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 90% of people feel some stress during the holiday seasons for several reasons – finances, the death of a loved one and potential family conflict. This year could be especially tough given the tension surrounding the recent presidential election. APA research found the election was a major stress point for 69% of people who responded, which was up from 52% in 2016.

“I think that people are usually stressed about being perfect, trying to do everything,” says Therasa Yehling, manager for the OSF Strive Trauma Recovery Center in Rockford, Illinois, and a licensed social worker. “It could be about money. Are they going to buy everything for everyone? And if you already have issues of mental illness, or having issues with money, it just adds another layer of stress. I think it's hard to deal with around that time.”

Photo:KrakenImages on Unsplash

Before coming together this year, Yehling says families should have a plan. Communicate before that get-together and talk about how it might be best to stay away from certain topics. Instead, Yehling says, reinforce the love you have for one another and show compassion and concern for those family members and friends who are gathered around the table that day. It sure beats debating politics with your cantankerous uncle over a slice of pumpkin pie.

“Let's talk about fun things,” says Yehling. “Let's talk about how your kids are doing, how your parents are doing. Really talking about things that bring people together. I think that's important to concentrate on.”

If your family has engaged in heated discussions during past holidays, reevaluate your plan. Maybe this year you decide to only spend a couple of hours at your gathering, instead of all day. And if you know that tensions will be high regardless, Yehling says it’s OK to let your feelings known and to work with family members to make other arrangements this year.

“It's not fair to put people at a place that you know they can't rise to,” she says. “I need to accept that. I can't change them, but I certainly can change me. I can change how I react. And you don’t have to go. Go later. We can eat turkey any other time. We can do things differently.”

Surround yourself with people who love and support you.

Many people will be grieving this holiday season. It could be the loss of a loved one or pet, a job, health issues or even the outcome of the election. “When it comes to losing your husband or somebody you know, give them grace, give them that space,” Yehling says. “Let them have a tear or two, and they'll be alright. Let them be.”

And limit your time on social media. Yehling says the best way to avoid overreacting to information you read is to think carefully about responding to posts that cause you angst. Turn off your notifications and reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling through Facebook or X, for example.

Yehling offers other tips to help people get through the upcoming holidays. Don’t over schedule yourself, limit your travel, keep a regular routine, including healthy eating and exercise. Other reminders are managing gift giving, don’t overindulge when it comes to food and alcohol and take time for yourself. Remember to take a needed break from the holiday madness by reading a book, listening to your favorite music, going for a long walk or just curling up for an afternoon nap.

Most importantly, surround yourself with people who love and support you.

“It’s about who is around you and how you interact,” Yehling adds. “What do you want to do? How do you want this to go? Oh, I want to have fun. Then have fun. Put that effort, put that focus into it.”