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Acupuncture treatment for Bad Breath (Halitosis)
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Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a symptom in which a noticeably unpleasant odor is present on the breath. It can result in anxiety among those affected. It is also associated with depression and symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.1
CONTENTS
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
TREATMENTS
SYMPTOMS
Of those who have genuine bad breath, about 85% of cases come from inside the mouth. The remaining cases are believed to be due to disorders in the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, esophagus, or stomach. Rarely, bad breath can be due to an underlying medical condition such as liver failure or ketoacidosis. Non-genuine cases occur when someone feels they have bad breath but someone else cannot detect it. This is estimated to make up between 5% and 70% of cases.2
CAUSES
Halitosis is caused by many factors. Mostly, the cause of halitosis would be bacterias or debris that lies within the mouth. Other causes include dry mouth, medication, and smoking. However, bad breath can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem including respiratory tract infection and other conditions.3
TREATMENTS
Related Acupuncture Points :
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) states that a hot abdomen or stomach is the cause of halitosis. This means an excess of yang (the heat or fire principle) is present in the stomach, and this can lead to frontal lobe headaches, mouth ulcers, gum swelling and disease including bad breath. An excess of stomach heat or fire can be triggered by factors such as eating spoiled food, abdominal flu, poor diet and very high levels of stress among others. The acupuncture treatment is aimed to reduce the hot or fire stomach.4
Acupoints recommended to reduce stomach fire, by means of clearing and purging ST fire include ST-44 / Neiting Ying-Spring point of the ST channel, it cools and drains Heat from ST. BL-21 / Weishu Back-Shu point for ST. ST-36 / Zusanli He-Sea point of the ST channel, PC-8 / Laogong clears HT and sedates Heat, it is recommended for bad breath and mouth ulcers. PC-6 / Neiguan Regulates MJ, stops vomiting and relieves pain. LI-4 / Hegu For facial symptoms and constipation. LI-11 / Quchi With ST-44 / neiting cools ST and Intestines. ST-6 / Jiache clears Heat from Yang Ming: for mouth ulcers, gingivitis and other local heat signs in the ST channel. ST-45 / Lidui clears heat from Yang Ming, it is recommended for gingivitis and indigestion. ST-34 / Liangqiu Xi-cleft point of the ST channel, it is recommended for epigastric pain. ST-43 / Xiangu sometimes used with ST-44 / neiting to clear Heat from ST.5
Footnotes
- Halitosis – therabreath.com – 2017, http://www.therabreath.com/halitosis-definition.html
- Bad Breath – healthline.com – 2017, http://www.healthline.com/health/bad-breath
- What are the causes and types of bad breath? – patient.info – 2017, http://patient.info/health/bad-breath-halitosis#nav-2
- Acupuncture – workingwellness.com – 2017, http://www.workingwellness.com/tag/new-york-acupuncture-treatment/
- Stomach fire – acupuncture.com – 2017, http://www.acupuncture.com/education/zf/stfire1.htm/