The nose is used for breathing but it has another important function as well and that is filtering the air that goes into your lungs. It filters out the dust particles, bacteria and other pollutants on a daily basis. This is collected by the fine hair in your nose called cilia and then along with nasal mucus, goes into the back of the throat. In the stomach the bacteria is destroyed by acid. This is a normal bodily function and most people do not even pay attention to it because the mucus is virtually unnoticeable.
Under normal circumstances this does not cause any problem. But if the mucus stays at the back of the throat, the anaerobic bacteria will do its work, breaking down the proteins present in the mucus and phlegm. Once the bacteria start this, they liberate the sulfuric compounds which are released along with the breath and cause bad breath. The post nasal drip thus transforms natural breath into foul breath.
The anaerobic bacteria are omnipresent in mucus, phlegm, dairy and other high protein foods because they multiply in a non-oxygen environment. The mucus wraps the bacteria and protects it from oxygen and hence they thrive and multiply. When some people drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they get more mucus and phlegm in their throat and this leads to bad breath.
The sinus is also a home for the bacteria and protein which are found in the mucus. These are broken down into amino acids which is food for the bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria is thus in its element and can go ahead and produce the sulfur compounds which cause bad breath. People who are ill with colds and flu typically have a lot of mucus and may also suffer from bad breath.
This halitosis-causing mucus can be eliminated by taking antihistamines or other cold remedies. Once you take a sufficient dosage of these medications, the postnasal drip will be reduced, opening up your nasal passages for easier breathing. That's the advantage of cold remedies. However, they also have a disadvantage. In the process of clearing your nasal passages, they also dry out your mouth, which is another likely cause of halitosis. To rectify this situation, all you have to do is drink plenty of liquids while taking your antihistamines and cold medications. If this is not practical, you may also chew gum in order to stimulate the continuous flow of saliva, which is also good for keeping your mouth hydrated, preventing the anaerobic bacteria from thriving.
Keeping the mucus thin is important. Obviously it is quite uncomfortable to have a chunk of gunk hanging at the back of your throat that you cannot expel. One of the other ways to thinning the mucus is through enjoying a hot shower or sauna and keeping the air moist with a humidifier. You can also add herbs to the water in the humidifier to help you rest. Hot liquids, which seem to be very soothing especially during the winter months, will help thin out the mucus. Try peppermint tea and broths or soups because these are often beneficial in relieving postnasal drip.
If you want relief, you can tray a nasal sinus formula or an irrigator to flush out the sinuses, to minimize the post nasal drip. Nasal sinus drops also help in getting rid of mucus build-up. AktivOxigen tablets can be used as a mouthwash or a rinse and because they contain oxygen they help in getting rid of the anaerobic bacterial which produce sulfur compounds which in turn produce bad breath.
Now you know that if you have colds, you will definitely have mucus buildup in your throat passages. If you do not take measures to eliminate this buildup, they will eventually attract bacteria that will break down the amino acids in the mucus. In this process, volatile sulfur compounds may be produced, which have a smell equivalent to that of rotten eggs. If you don't want to experience this nasty condition, you must use mouthwash and other oral medications to prevent the accumulation of mucus. If over the counter medications do not work, you can always go to your doctor and ask for a recommendation.
Under normal circumstances this does not cause any problem. But if the mucus stays at the back of the throat, the anaerobic bacteria will do its work, breaking down the proteins present in the mucus and phlegm. Once the bacteria start this, they liberate the sulfuric compounds which are released along with the breath and cause bad breath. The post nasal drip thus transforms natural breath into foul breath.
The anaerobic bacteria are omnipresent in mucus, phlegm, dairy and other high protein foods because they multiply in a non-oxygen environment. The mucus wraps the bacteria and protects it from oxygen and hence they thrive and multiply. When some people drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they get more mucus and phlegm in their throat and this leads to bad breath.
The sinus is also a home for the bacteria and protein which are found in the mucus. These are broken down into amino acids which is food for the bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria is thus in its element and can go ahead and produce the sulfur compounds which cause bad breath. People who are ill with colds and flu typically have a lot of mucus and may also suffer from bad breath.
This halitosis-causing mucus can be eliminated by taking antihistamines or other cold remedies. Once you take a sufficient dosage of these medications, the postnasal drip will be reduced, opening up your nasal passages for easier breathing. That's the advantage of cold remedies. However, they also have a disadvantage. In the process of clearing your nasal passages, they also dry out your mouth, which is another likely cause of halitosis. To rectify this situation, all you have to do is drink plenty of liquids while taking your antihistamines and cold medications. If this is not practical, you may also chew gum in order to stimulate the continuous flow of saliva, which is also good for keeping your mouth hydrated, preventing the anaerobic bacteria from thriving.
Keeping the mucus thin is important. Obviously it is quite uncomfortable to have a chunk of gunk hanging at the back of your throat that you cannot expel. One of the other ways to thinning the mucus is through enjoying a hot shower or sauna and keeping the air moist with a humidifier. You can also add herbs to the water in the humidifier to help you rest. Hot liquids, which seem to be very soothing especially during the winter months, will help thin out the mucus. Try peppermint tea and broths or soups because these are often beneficial in relieving postnasal drip.
If you want relief, you can tray a nasal sinus formula or an irrigator to flush out the sinuses, to minimize the post nasal drip. Nasal sinus drops also help in getting rid of mucus build-up. AktivOxigen tablets can be used as a mouthwash or a rinse and because they contain oxygen they help in getting rid of the anaerobic bacterial which produce sulfur compounds which in turn produce bad breath.
Now you know that if you have colds, you will definitely have mucus buildup in your throat passages. If you do not take measures to eliminate this buildup, they will eventually attract bacteria that will break down the amino acids in the mucus. In this process, volatile sulfur compounds may be produced, which have a smell equivalent to that of rotten eggs. If you don't want to experience this nasty condition, you must use mouthwash and other oral medications to prevent the accumulation of mucus. If over the counter medications do not work, you can always go to your doctor and ask for a recommendation.
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