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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Treatment For Bad Odor From The Throat?

I have a constant smell that gets down my throat and seems to over power everything else. Smells like diesel or similar. No one else can detect this though. This has been with me for about two weeks. Could this be this parosmia? And should I see my GP.
Wed, 3 Sep 2014
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. Bad odour from the mouth or Halitosis can just have too many causes. Lets deal with this logically. Make a note of any recent medications or any change in alcohol/smoking habits in the recent 6 months.

First lets assume the common causes such as gum, tooth, oropharyngeal pathologies. These should all improve within a week of maintaining good oral hygiene - Dental flossing, tongue cleaning, oral mouthwashes before and after meals for about a week and brushing teeth at least twice daily.

If symptoms persist - ENT Evaluation to rule out chronic sinusitis leading to excessive post nasal drip that can be the source of foul smell and a Gastro opinion for Acid reflux disease, hiatus hernia or zenker's diverticulum.

If you clear these two evaluations and your symptoms persist then a neurological evaluation for parosmia is indicated.

If your neuro work up is fine then we can consider the diagnosis of delusional halitosis or as an oral symptom of olfactory reference syndrome. See a psychiatrist here. This can be ruled out immediately if others can perceive the same bad odour as they do.

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What Is The Treatment For Bad Odor From The Throat?

Hi. Bad odour from the mouth or Halitosis can just have too many causes. Lets deal with this logically. Make a note of any recent medications or any change in alcohol/smoking habits in the recent 6 months. First lets assume the common causes such as gum, tooth, oropharyngeal pathologies. These should all improve within a week of maintaining good oral hygiene - Dental flossing, tongue cleaning, oral mouthwashes before and after meals for about a week and brushing teeth at least twice daily. If symptoms persist - ENT Evaluation to rule out chronic sinusitis leading to excessive post nasal drip that can be the source of foul smell and a Gastro opinion for Acid reflux disease, hiatus hernia or zenker s diverticulum. If you clear these two evaluations and your symptoms persist then a neurological evaluation for parosmia is indicated. If your neuro work up is fine then we can consider the diagnosis of delusional halitosis or as an oral symptom of olfactory reference syndrome. See a psychiatrist here. This can be ruled out immediately if others can perceive the same bad odour as they do.