Post nasal drip and bad taste in mouth

Table of Contents Show

How do I get rid of post
What does post
How do you get rid of post
Why does my sinus drainage taste bitter?

Bad breath may originate in your sinuses.

If you struggle with bad breath, you've probably tried everything to get rid of the problem – from breath mints to mouthwashes. When these do not work, you need to figure out what the root of the problem is.

Something you might not have considered is blocked sinuses, often the cause of bad breath and often overlooked. Post nasal drip bad breath can cause a bad taste in the mouth and is associated with chronic nasal infection.

Although sinuses don't seem to have much to do with bad breath, post nasal drip is a frequent cause of halitosis.

How does chronic nasal congestion cause post nasal bad breath?

The glands in your nose and throat are always producing mucus, a thick substance that moistens and cleans the nasal membranes while getting rid of inhaled foreign matter. It also fights infections by destroying bacteria and viruses.

Your body has been designed to get rid of any excess mucus that is in your nose. The mucus mixes with your saliva and drips harmlessly down the back of your throat, usually when you swallow. However, when your body produces excess or thicker mucus, it becomes more noticeable. You are aware of it building up in your throat or dripping from the back of your nose. This is what is referred to as post nasal drip.

Conditions that cause post nasal drip and bad breath

The common cold or flu (influenza)
Allergies, leading to allergic post nasal drip
Sinus infection or sinusitis
Certain medications, including blood pressure pills or the birth control pill
A deviated septum

How to tell if it is post nasal drip causing your bad breath

There are a few signs that will indicate whether your bad breath is caused by post nasal drip:

A frequent need to clear your throat. When mucus drains from the sinuses it often collects at the top of the throat, causing irritation.
Constantly swallowing or a feeling that you have a lump in your throat.
Continual sore throats that do not develop into illness. Post nasal drip can cause the cilia (tiny nasal hairs) to stop functioning properly. This causes a collection of crusty mucus in the nasal and throat lining, which in turn causes inflammation and irritation.
Difficulty breathing is very common for people with post nasal drip. Mucus build-up in the nose can make breathing through your nose difficult, while a sore throat and coughing can make breathing through your mouth difficult too.

All these unfortunate situations can cause bad breath due to the build-up of foreign matter.

Treatments for post nasal drip bad breath

Treating post nasal drip is easier if the cause has been identified, as treatment varies depending on the cause.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. These drugs may, however, only provide temporary relief. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required.
Allergies are managed by avoiding the causes, such as foods or pollen in spring.
Doctors may prescribe medication to decrease these reactions like steroid (cortisone type) nasal sprays, and other forms of steroids. Immunotherapy, either by shots or sublingual drops, works well too.

Gastroesophageal reflux can be relieved by:

Elevating the head of your bed
Avoiding foods and beverages two to three hours before bedtime
Eliminating any trigger foods and liquids (alcohol and caffeine are two of the most common culprits)
Medication to neutralise stomach acid or reduce its production

Decongestants can be helpful but should be used with caution as they may aggravate high blood pressure, heart conditions and thyroid disease. Steroid sprays can be used safely under medical supervision.

Image credit: iStock

Cleveland.com has a brief overview of possible causes for persistent bad taste perception. Among the possible causes are rhinitis or sinusitis. Any sort of nasal or oral infection may have an adverse effect on your ability to taste. It may seem odd that a sinus infection could cause a change in taste perception. The sense of taste is a combination of reaction not solely restricted to the taste buds on the tongue and in the mouth. Smell is key component to taste and when your sense of smell is effected by blocked and infected sinuses it has an effect on the sense of taste.Of the possible symptoms for sinusitis an alteration of taste may not be the first or most obvious. A stuffy nose, runny nose, difficulty breathing, facial pain, and headaches that seem to come from behind the eyes are more likely to be noticed. If you have questions or concerns about sinusitis and its symptoms, contact our office for an appointment.

How do I get rid of post

Here's what you can do:.

Prop up your head. Elevate your head to let gravity drain mucus from your nasal passages. ... .

Drink fluids, especially hot fluids. Drink a lot of fluids to thin out mucus. ... .

Gargle saltwater. ... .

Inhale steam. ... .

Use a humidifier. ... .

Nasal rinse. ... .

Avoid alcohol and cigarette smoke. ... .

GERD home remedies..

What does post

Symptoms associated with clear nasal drip that are concerning include: Salty taste in the mouth associated with the nasal drip. Nasal drip that is excessive and is associated with a cough.

How do you get rid of post

Saliva cleanses the mouth and removes particles that can cause bad odours. If your mouth is dry, try drinking more water during the day, chew sugarless gum or suck sugarless lozenges to increase the flow of saliva. If you smoke, try to kick the habit.

Why does my sinus drainage taste bitter?

When you have a cold, sinus infection, or other illness, your body naturally releases a protein made by different cells in the body to promote and mediate inflammation. It's thought that this protein can also affect the taste buds, causing increased sensitivity to bitter tastes when you're sick.