Yes. Several medical conditions can push a breath test result higher than your true blood alcohol level, which can lead to a false high BAC reading. Breath machines assume a standard body chemistry, and when yours differs, the number can be wrong.
Acid reflux and GERD are common culprits. When stomach contents rise into the mouth and throat, they can carry alcohol vapor that the machine reads as if it came from deep lung air, spiking the result. A recent burp can do the same. Diabetes and low-carb or keto diets can produce acetone and ketones on the breath, and some devices can misread those compounds as alcohol. Rare conditions like auto-brewery syndrome, where the gut produces alcohol on its own, can also skew results.
Other factors add up too. Dentures and dental work can trap alcohol in the mouth. Certain medications, mouthwashes, and breath sprays contain alcohol. And a machine that is out of calibration or used without the required observation period makes any of these problems worse.
A medical defense usually needs supporting records and sometimes expert testimony, so it helps to tell your lawyer about any conditions early. Learn whether breathalyzer results are accurate and how BAC defense challenges the numbers.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different. Call Crudo Law at (858) 622-7280 or visit /contact for a free, confidential consultation.