What causes bad breath that smells like flatulence, and what should I do about it?

Bad breath that smells like flatulence may be caused by physiological factors such as improper diet, or pathological conditions such as indigestion, chronic gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux. It is important to seek timely medical attention, and symptoms can be improved under medical guidance through general management, medication, and other treatments. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Physiological Causes

Consuming excessive spicy or pungent foods—such as garlic and chili peppers—may cause food residues to ferment in the mouth, leading to bad breath with an odor similar to flatulence. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential: brush teeth regularly, rinse the mouth before and after meals, and practice consistent dental care.

2. Pathological Factors

1) Indigestion: This may be related to poor eating habits or mental stress, potentially causing gastrointestinal dysfunction. Food may remain in the digestive tract for prolonged periods, producing excessive gas and resulting in symptoms such as belching and acid reflux, often accompanied by the aforementioned odor. Patients may take medications such as domperidone tablets, mosapride citrate tablets, or multienzyme tablets as directed by a physician.

2) Chronic Gastritis: This may result from bacterial infection, exposure to cold, or other causes. Inflammation can lead to symptoms such as bloating and nausea. Some patients may also experience bad breath resembling the smell of flatulence. Under a doctor's supervision, patients may be treated with medications such as amoxicillin capsules, metronidazole tablets, or tinidazole tablets.

3) Gastroesophageal Reflux: This condition may be associated with factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, which can cause stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus, generating excessive gas and causing the symptoms described above, along with chest pain or upper abdominal pain. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as famotidine tablets, ranitidine hydrochloride capsules, or nizatidine dispersible tablets to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is important to get adequate rest, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and engage in moderate outdoor activities such as walking or jogging, which may help support recovery.