GERD and Bad Breath
Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD, affects a number of people worldwide. Many suffer from it, but because of its elusive symptoms, and the fact that you can have a bad case of it without having all the manor symptoms, makes it very difficult to treat. Scientists have only recently begun to understand the causes and symptoms, and there’s still a lot of research to be done.
The symptoms of reflux vary considerably, but tend to include dry cough, habitual throat clearing, hoarseness, a feeling like one has a “lump in the throat”, heartburn, and a sour taste in the mouth.
One symptom of GERD that patients commonly experience is chronic bad breath. To understand how GERD causes bad breath, we have to take a look at the condition itself. GERD is a condition that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, which is kind of a “stopper” for the stomach, doesn’t close properly. This causes the contents of the stomach to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This causes a sour, salty and very acidic taste in the back of the throat, which shortly turns into chronic bad breath.
Patients who suffer from GERD feel this bad taste all day long. Even extremely vigilant oral health care and a solid regimen of breath freshening products don’t seem to help. Many report that the bad taste and the bad breath return almost immediately after brushing.
Unfortunately, the only way to combat bad breath associated with gastro esophageal reflux are the measures used to treat the disease itself, many of which are common ways to stop bad breath for other reasons. Here are some measures doctors recommend to alleviate symptoms:
· Avoid foods and drinks like coffee, tea cola beverages, citrus drinks, fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, peppermint and chocolate. These foods can lower the lower the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
· Avoid NSAID medications, which are non-steroidal inflammatory agents like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Other medications used to treat asthma and high blood pressure can also increase pressure on the LES.
· Avoid eating for 3-4 hours before going to bed.
· Elevate the head of your bed, by putting 4-6 inch blocks under the head of the bed. This lets gravity work in your favor.
· Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
· Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
It’s important to remember that even if one were to follow all the measures taken above, in combinations with the many medications used to treat the problem, bad breath is one of the most persistent symptoms, and it may take up to three months of treatment before it goes away with the other symptoms. Medicines such as Prevacid and Prilosec block or slow down acid production in the stomach, and so the material that reaches the esophagus through reflux will be less acidic and less irritating, but the bad breath might still persist.
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i have the same problem with this GERD and am so frustrated that i keep on taking ESOMEPRAZOLE (NEXUIM40mg) i research about GERD can cause a bad breath and it does so frustrating.i had this for almost 10 yrs.and still present.and now i confirmed that GERD also cause bad breath..i dont know is there any medication to get over this bad breath..i felt bloated always when i ate plenty….i keep on going to the gastrologist and feel good a little but keep coming back…is there any way to get rid of this GERD and BAD breath pls any suggestions….
To all those gerd sufferers, don’t take your life away,,you are precious regardless off the smell God sees your heart , o had let me say it again HAD! Gerd ,That’s right its GONE! I guess God was afterme for a good while and I was too busy partying to listen to him.well its been a whole year , no bad breath no discomfort, I Am HEALED!! THE LORD HAS HEALED ME , IT TOOK A LOT OF PRAYER AND FAITH AND VERY IMPORTANT STICK TO DRS DIET, pray break your heart before Gods throne he already knows your problem, he wants to hear you say it. Believe me take it from me GOD IS POWERFUL,,, I may sound crazy but I rejoice cause I’m free…some might say I been asking GOD and nothing ! Well u doing something wrong b honest, Humble B4 the Lord , he can help you, God bless, and I declare healing upon your life,
Ps I’m only 24 female mother and wife ,,
Yes you are right, you do sound crazy; some sort of religious nutcase.
GERD does not cause bad breath. All you have to do is to clean your tongue 2x a day. There are a plenty of toothbrushes with a thick rubber, designed for tongue cleaning. Don’t listen to doctors and their lies about GERD and bad breath. It’s all about selling drugs! Good luck to you all.
I was and still am obsessed about my breath. I frequent the dentist, brush my teeth no joke at least 5 times a day and it is still there. Everyone on this page can agree with me, that when you are actually talking in public, the response you get (snikers, gross, talking behind your back or even to in front of you with others is VERY painful) with having GERD. I finally asked a friend of mine who recently recived his nursing degree what would cause chronic bad breath, and he suggested that it was GERD. I went to my doctor and told them, hey.. I know this is what is going on, and sure enough, it is. I stated a prescription called Pantoprazole about a week ago. I am going to look into what foods I should or should not be eating, and also drink plenty of water. I want to let everyone know, you are not alone. I’ve been told I am a beautiful, intellegent woman. I do yoga and jog on occasion. Yet, I CAN’T TALK TO PEOPLE!! And it is effecting everything in my life. Mostly my self image. I hope people will continue to post here and hopefully I and others can read some success stories and how to overcome this issue. Thanks.
It’s refreshing to read about others that have this terrible issue. I have diagnosed Acid Reflux & Barretts (esphogas disease). I take daily doctor prescribed medication. Dental care, chewing gum and other oral care products do nothing for my bad breath and in fact increase the intensity of the odor. I have tried a variety of various nutritonal programs thru the years and have spent alot of money doing so. I have had this problem for a good part of my life now (prob almost 10 to 15 years). Thru recent years, although I am crazy sensitive to what people think of me when I speak to them and they rub their noses or avoid conversation with me, instead of being so careful what I eat to prevent making the situation worse, I have just accepted it as part of my life because it’s so consuming. This is not a good thing but this condition is exhausting to try to find a permament solution. If you have found any methods that are helpful to you, please talk about with me. I need to re-focus on caring for this condition. I’m also a successful, attractive woman that is married with three children. I’m exposed to the Public everyday in my job. I hardly ever kiss anyone hello or hug someone. I crave to smell pretty like most other ladies and have breath that doesn’t carry across an entire room. sigh…
I always long for the intimate moments people share. A group of people laughing and joking inches from one another. Two people kissing. I wish I was ablw to get really close to my mama look her in the eye and tell her I love her. I wish I could feel confortable in my own body again! I wish this went away! I wish I didn’t have to want to kill myself at times!! I wish this was all a nightmare and that I could wake up from it and live my life again:(
I hate this!! I have healthy teeth my dentist always tells me how well I take care of my mouth! I recently got my tonsils taken out thinking I was going to be cured and I now know I have GERD but absolutely no for sure cure! I consider myself to be an attractive woman, funny and smart. Everyone around me is sooo nice to me! I have the most wonderful husband in the world but in my depression due to this awful taste in my mouth I cannot enjoy my life!! God is a funny guy!!
i need help!! i have a bad case of gerd its been 4 years and really affected my life in a negative way. im only 19 and my breath even has my dog sneezing. ima pick up some organic vinegar tommmorow and start some baking soda avc drinks. if this doesnt help not to sound crazy but i will end this misery no point in living when u cant even talk to ur mom without her wanting to gag. peace hope this shit works.
Halitosis from GERD sufferer. Hi there, just want to share my experience. I’ve been suffering from severe halitosis for years, more so in the past 3-4 years than I can ever remember. I’ve tried to drink lots and lots of water particularly after meals and floss and brush my teeth regularly but after a few minutes, the bad breath comes back. Just the thought of having a bad breath is horrendous to me because I take care of myself pretty well. It has affected my life in a very negative way; it affects my self esteem as well.
However, I somehow tried to drink lots of water in between meals at least 3 hours after I eat. I also try not to drink more than half a glass after meals… AND IT SEEMS TO WORK. I’ve been doing it for about two weeks now and my halitosis has improved so much. I didn’t even change my diet. I still eat meat, dairy, drink juice. And I make sure I brush my teeth right after meals. And I’m not taking any medications whatsoever. I’m very excited about it.
I’m planning to continue this and see how it goes. I’ll keep you updated. Thanks
Has it worked Melanie?
I have a bad breath for a long time like 3years and i don’t know the real issues of my bad breath i have seen so many doctors including ENT, DENTIST, And Specialist for Stomatch and every one he told me this is not issues of your problem execpt the one for stomatch and that one he told me you have gastric only nothing else….and am living in Uganda for that 3years am doing University in this country so there any one who knows about bad breath from Esophaginal or GERD becouse i lost my life and i will never garaduate my school till i eliminate for my bad breath plz help me for advice Thanks…..
Where in 2011 an im now finding out i have GERD. Through my extreme efforts to find out what is causing this bad breath that would not go away and constant mucus in throat. Im starting treatment today and wish i recover tomorrow. Thanks for the info and health advice.