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What Causes Bad Breath In A Person With Acid Reflux?
Question: Hi,
I currently have acid reflux, awful taste and bad breathe. I am taking protonix which helps with sore throat and feeling that something is in my throat but does nothing to help with the most obvious ailment to people which is my breathe. My dentist has cleared me of any teeth or gum issues and I clean my teeth, floss, scrape my tongue, oral irrigate and sinus irrigate three to four times per day. In December of last year, I even had my tonsils removed thinking that was the culprit but I didn't have any long term relief. I do however remember the day of my tonsillectomy and part of the next day my breathe was odor free. Sadly it returned shortly thereafter and continues. I had also had GI issues and tested positive (and was treated) for Hyplori in August of last year. Can any one help me identify the potential cause of my bad breathe.
I currently have acid reflux, awful taste and bad breathe. I am taking protonix which helps with sore throat and feeling that something is in my throat but does nothing to help with the most obvious ailment to people which is my breathe. My dentist has cleared me of any teeth or gum issues and I clean my teeth, floss, scrape my tongue, oral irrigate and sinus irrigate three to four times per day. In December of last year, I even had my tonsils removed thinking that was the culprit but I didn't have any long term relief. I do however remember the day of my tonsillectomy and part of the next day my breathe was odor free. Sadly it returned shortly thereafter and continues. I had also had GI issues and tested positive (and was treated) for Hyplori in August of last year. Can any one help me identify the potential cause of my bad breathe.
Brief Answer:
Listed one underlying cause; other causes that need ruling out
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. There are numerous causes for bad breath, but I would first like to state the very obvious fact that you are suffering from acid reflux that is most probably due to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which has the following symptoms:
+Difficulty swallowing
+Dry cough
+Hoarseness of voice
+Sore throat
+Sensation of lump or something stuck in throat
+Burning sensation in chest (heartburn)
+Regurgitation of food or liquid into mouth or back of throat giving a bitter taste in the mouth
+Bad breath
As you can see, bad breath is already one of the symptoms of the condition you are quite possibly suffering from, so we will have to treat the condition more accurately and may be we can get rid of the bad breath.
Here are some of the possible approaches:
+Avoid smoking
+Avoid alcohol
+Do not overeat
+If obese, lose weight
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid spicy, fatty, fried and oily food
+Have 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
+Use an antacid to reduce acid production like omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.
+Additional antacid like ranitidine, famotidine, etc.
Causes for bad breath/halitosis other than GERD that you have not mentioned ruling out are the following:
+Smoking
+Dry mouth (poor level of hydration)
+Diabetes
+Esophageal diverticulum: A pouch like structure developed in the oesophagus that causes the retention or accumulation of food or drink which then rots and causes the bad breath
+Foreign body lodging
+Certain medications
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Listed one underlying cause; other causes that need ruling out
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. There are numerous causes for bad breath, but I would first like to state the very obvious fact that you are suffering from acid reflux that is most probably due to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which has the following symptoms:
+Difficulty swallowing
+Dry cough
+Hoarseness of voice
+Sore throat
+Sensation of lump or something stuck in throat
+Burning sensation in chest (heartburn)
+Regurgitation of food or liquid into mouth or back of throat giving a bitter taste in the mouth
+Bad breath
As you can see, bad breath is already one of the symptoms of the condition you are quite possibly suffering from, so we will have to treat the condition more accurately and may be we can get rid of the bad breath.
Here are some of the possible approaches:
+Avoid smoking
+Avoid alcohol
+Do not overeat
+If obese, lose weight
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid spicy, fatty, fried and oily food
+Have 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
+Use an antacid to reduce acid production like omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.
+Additional antacid like ranitidine, famotidine, etc.
Causes for bad breath/halitosis other than GERD that you have not mentioned ruling out are the following:
+Smoking
+Dry mouth (poor level of hydration)
+Diabetes
+Esophageal diverticulum: A pouch like structure developed in the oesophagus that causes the retention or accumulation of food or drink which then rots and causes the bad breath
+Foreign body lodging
+Certain medications
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, thanks for responding.
I have been taking prescription strength pantoprazole for months with no help. I also adhere to all the dietary restrictions and have never smoked. I am actually really thin and have been tring to gain weight. I loss quite a bit of wait after being tried for Hyplori and after having my tonsils removed. I have had a upper endoscopy and colonoscopy and don't have any diverticulum. The endoscopy confirmed the reflux and the colonoscopy just revealed minor gastric and scant old bleeding. Could the GI issues be the main cause and the pantoprazole is just not working?
My ENT, GI, dentist and primary care physicians are basically saying there is nothing they can do to help me.
Could this just be some overgrowth of bad bacteria from the Hyplori? This was supposed to be treated though.
Do you think there is a reason why I had temporary relief after the tonsillectomy surgery (same day right after surgery) and part of the next day?
I have been taking prescription strength pantoprazole for months with no help. I also adhere to all the dietary restrictions and have never smoked. I am actually really thin and have been tring to gain weight. I loss quite a bit of wait after being tried for Hyplori and after having my tonsils removed. I have had a upper endoscopy and colonoscopy and don't have any diverticulum. The endoscopy confirmed the reflux and the colonoscopy just revealed minor gastric and scant old bleeding. Could the GI issues be the main cause and the pantoprazole is just not working?
My ENT, GI, dentist and primary care physicians are basically saying there is nothing they can do to help me.
Could this just be some overgrowth of bad bacteria from the Hyplori? This was supposed to be treated though.
Do you think there is a reason why I had temporary relief after the tonsillectomy surgery (same day right after surgery) and part of the next day?
Brief Answer:
Better treatment for GERD; possible due to the NPO (nil per oral)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Thank you so much for responding to my questions.
I do think that given the confirmation provided by the endoscopy, that the GERD should be treated in a better way. Pantoprazole is clearly not doing the job for you and so you will indefinitely require a better treatment regimen.
I doubt this could be related to bacteria as you have been on a course of antibiotics, which should have taken care of the H. pylori.
The temporary relief could have possibly been due to the lack of oral intake for a while after surgery and during surgery. Once the oral intake began, the acid reflux began once again.
Best wishes. :)
Better treatment for GERD; possible due to the NPO (nil per oral)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Thank you so much for responding to my questions.
I do think that given the confirmation provided by the endoscopy, that the GERD should be treated in a better way. Pantoprazole is clearly not doing the job for you and so you will indefinitely require a better treatment regimen.
I doubt this could be related to bacteria as you have been on a course of antibiotics, which should have taken care of the H. pylori.
The temporary relief could have possibly been due to the lack of oral intake for a while after surgery and during surgery. Once the oral intake began, the acid reflux began once again.
Best wishes. :)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi again, thanks so much. That actually makes a lot of sense. What is the NPO u mentioned?
Brief Answer:
It was my pleasure entirely; NPO explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.
You are most welcome.
NPO is short for nil per oral, which means you sre not supposed to eat or drink anything a few hours prior to the surgery and a while after. :)
I hope this helps clarify things. Please feel free to write to me anytime, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
It was my pleasure entirely; NPO explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.
You are most welcome.
NPO is short for nil per oral, which means you sre not supposed to eat or drink anything a few hours prior to the surgery and a while after. :)
I hope this helps clarify things. Please feel free to write to me anytime, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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