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20 years
I have experienced severe bad breath for 10 years now. It feels like there is something stuck in the back of my throat that I can't get out. How can I get rid of it?
Apr 3, 2014

Dr. Salim Saab Otolaryngology (ENT)
it may be azencker diverticula or astyloid process. Book an appointment.
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Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
IF you feel that you have something stuck in your throat causing your bad breath ,then only your ENTdoctor can detect that after examining you ,if it is zenker's diverticulum as DR SALIM said then you must be seen for that to diagnose .zenker's diverticulum is a diverticulum(a pouch) of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle (i.e. above the upper sphincter of the esophagus)
CHECK:The primary symptom in zenker's is difficulty in swallowing food; sometimes food comes back up several minutes or hours after eating.
People also experience:
Choking feelings
A feeling of mucous collecting in the throat
Hoarse speech
Bad breath
CAUSES OF BAD BREATHE:
Persistent bad breath is usually brought on by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth, usually as a result of gum disease or dry mouth.
However, problems with the airways, oesphagus and stomach can also lead to bad breath
Factors that affect the mouth and cause bad breath
Gum disease.
Food stagnation between the teeth.
A dry mouth, which can be common as we get older and is also caused by a number of medications.
Excessive bacterial activity on the tongue, possibly due to postnasal drip (catarrh coming down the back of the throat from the sinuses and nasal passages).
Throat or tonsil infection.
Catarrh.
Factors that affect the airways and cause bad breath
Sinusitis.
Polyps.
Dryness.
Foreign body.
Hindered air or mucus flow.
Bronchitis.
Pneumonia.
Bronchiectasis (dilation of the bronchi of the lungs, usually from previous infection).
Factors that affect the oesphagus and stomach and cause bad breath
Gastritis and food reflux.
Food stagnation.
In rare cases, bad breath can be a sign of a significant general health problem, so it should not be ignored.
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