Have you heard about Fish Odor Syndrome? Even some doctors doesn’t know about this. And maybe your not aware as well, people with this condition are just around us. But sometimes we misjudged them which gives a negative impact to their life.
Let me share an unusual medical condition which I think is new to your ears and this will serve as an awareness to everyone. This is a serious case, the lives of those people are at stake.
By the way, any medical students here? You guys well understand this easily. Lucky me that I have some knowledge in medicine.
What is Fish Odor Syndrome?
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome is a rare metabolic disorder that causes a defect in the normal production of an enzyme named flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). When FMO3 is not working correctly or if not enough enzyme is produced, the body loses the ability to properly convert trimethylamine (TMA) from precursor compounds in food digestion into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), through a process called N-oxidation.
TMA - odorous substance in our body
TMAO – non-odorous substance in our body
Trimethylamine then builds up and is released in the person's sweat, urine, and breath, giving off a strong fishy odor or strong body odor. A variant of TMAU (secondary trimethylaminuria or TMAU2) exists where there is no genetic cause, yet excessive TMA is secreted, possibly due to intestinal dysbiosis, altered metabolism, or hormonal causes.
Some people with trimethylaminuria have a strong odor all the time, but most have a moderate smell that varies in intensity over time. Individuals with this condition do not have any physical symptoms, and they typically appear healthy.
A fish-like body odor could result from an excess of certain proteins in the diet or from an increase in bacteria in the digestive system. A few cases of the disorder have been identified in adults with liver damage caused by hepatitis.
Symptoms:
The condition seems to be more common in women than men, for unknown reasons. Scientists suspect that such female sex hormones as progesterone and estrogen aggravate the condition. According to several reports, the condition worsens around puberty. In women, symptoms may worsen just before and during menstrual periods, after taking oral contraceptives, and around menopause.
The odor seems to vary depending on many known factors, including diet, hormonal changes, stress level, amount of sweat, other odors in the space, and the observer's sense of smell
How does this condition leads to suicidal?
Affected individuals experience shame and embarrassment, fail to maintain relationships, avoid contact with people who comment on their condition, and are obsessive about masking the odour with hygiene products and even smoking.
The malodorous aspect can have serious and destructive effects on schooling, personal life, career and relationships, resulting in social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, paranoid behaviour, and the worst suicide.
Delayed diagnosis, body odour and the lack of cure may lead to psychosocial issues. When the condition is suspected or known to occur in a family, genetic testing can be helpful in identifying the specific individuals who have or carry the disorder
Treatment
There is no known cure or treatment for the disorder.
The metabolic and clinical manifestations of TMAU are generally regarded as benign, as there is no associated organ dysfunction. This designation, and the fact that the condition is often unrecognized by doctors, can have important ramifications including missed or delayed diagnosis.
If you know someone suffering from this, you can recommend these ways of reducing the fishy odor.
It may include:
• Avoiding foods such as egg yolks, legumes, red meats, fish, beans and other foods that contain choline, carnitine, nitrogen, sulfur and lecithin
• Taking low doses of antibiotics such as neomycin and metronidazole[12] in order to reduce the amount of bacteria in the gut
• Using slightly acidic detergent with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5
Additionally,at least one study has suggested that daily intake of the supplements activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin may improve the quality of life of individuals afflicted with TMAU by helping their bodies to oxidize and convert TMA to the odorless N-oxide (TMAO) metabolite.
I made this article to serve as awareness to everyone regarding this rare metabolic disorder. This is a serious case that might lead the affected persons to commit suicide. I did research about this and find out that there is group supporting those people who have this kind of condition. It called MEBO RESEARCH. You can find their website in this link.
https://www.meboblog.com/2018/09/tmau-lady-on-dutch-tv-new-tmau-youtube.html?m=1#
MEBO Research, Inc., (MEBO) is a sufferer-founded patient advocacy international campaign registered in the State of Florida, U.S., since April 21. MEBO Research is also registered in England and Wales as a Not For Profit, Limited by Guarantee Company (2009).
They also have their facebook page which unites all sufferers from different places of the world.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1379691078922973?view=permalink&id=3365584340333627
I found out from this page that other members already committed suicide which really breaks my heart. And to tell you co-filipinos here, some of those who committed suicide are filipinos. 😥😥
MEBO is doing research and test to those suspected TMAU patients from different countries.
MEBO’s Mission is to initiate research into rare genetic metabolic diseases, particularly those resulting in systemic, difficult to control body malodor and halitosis, including, but not limited to, Trimethylaminuria.
To everyone, do not easily judge someone's personal hygiene from their body odor. Perhaps, there's underlying medical condition that made them smell bad.
You never know how long your words will stay in someone's mind, even long after you've forgotten you spoke them.
Words are powerful, they can create or they can destroy. They can only be forgiven not forgotten. So choose your words wisely.
I hope this article will give lessons and some knowledge about health. I will appreciate if you will spread this awareness.
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Hope we can avoid this kind of illness.