What causes bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and vertical ridges on fingernails?
May 15, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
Bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and vertical ridges on fingernails may be caused by indigestion, gastrointestinal dysfunction, chronic enteritis, or other conditions, and symptomatic treatment should be provided based on the specific situation. If meal times are irregular or if hard-to-digest foods are frequently consumed, gastric sensitivity may increase and gastric motility may decrease, preventing the stomach from expanding normally after eating, thus leading to indigestion.
Generally, symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and vertical ridges on fingernails may be caused by conditions like indigestion, gastrointestinal dysfunction, or chronic enteritis. Appropriate treatment should be based on the specific underlying cause. The details are as follows:
1. Indigestion
If meal times are irregular or if hard-to-digest foods are frequently consumed, gastric sensitivity may increase and gastric motility may become insufficient. After eating, the stomach may fail to relax normally, leading to indigestion. This can cause food to ferment in the stomach, delay gastric emptying, and allow gases to travel back up the digestive tract into the mouth, resulting in a bitter taste and bad breath. Additionally, nutritional deficiencies may impair normal nail growth, leading to vertical ridges. It is recommended to maintain regular meal schedules, choose easily digestible foods, and ensure a balanced intake of nutrients.
2. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction
If a patient experiences significant mental stress, gastrointestinal function may be affected, causing disordered intestinal motility. Even after small meals, they may feel full quickly, nutrient absorption may decline, and gastric acid secretion may decrease, prolonging digestion time and producing these symptoms. Patients may consider taking medications such as domperidone tablets or lactasin tablets under medical guidance.
3. Chronic Enteritis
In patients with chronic enteritis, inflammatory factors can disrupt intestinal flora and impair normal gastrointestinal motility. As a result, food cannot move properly into the intestines after eating and remains in the stomach for prolonged periods, increasing gastric pressure. Gas from within the stomach may then travel up the digestive tract and be released through the mouth, causing belching and the aforementioned symptoms. Patients are advised to take medications such as allicin soft capsules or enteritis relief capsules as directed by a physician.
Besides the above, these symptoms could also be caused by other conditions such as onychomycosis (fungal nail infection), acute cholecystitis, or pancreatitis. During recovery, it is recommended to follow a light diet, avoid staying up late, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
