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=========================================================== Post Nasal Drip and Nasal-Sinus Congestion Will Transform a Case of 'Normal' Breath into BAD Breath and 'Bad' Breath into HORRIBLE Breath! ===========================================================

Bad Breath is very closely related to post nasal drip,excess mucus, sinus problems, your tonsils, and tonsiloliths.

The bacteria which cause bad breath and sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic (live without oxygen). Their goal in life is to break down proteins in foods that we eat. However, under certain conditions, they will also start to break down proteins found in mucus and phlegm.

Therefore, those people who suffer from post nasal drip, sinus problems, and other such ailments are more prone to bad breath and lousy tastes because bacteria use mucus as a food source and start to extract sulfur compounds from amino acids that make up proteins found in all this excess mucus.

Scientifically, anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath "love" amino acids Cysteine and Methionine, which are building blocks of proteins that are found in mucus (and phlegm) and in dairy foods, too. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese they end up with more mucous or phlegm in their throat. This is a natural reaction for many people and unfortunately, ends up causing more bad breath and lousy taste.

If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of bacteria which can lead to an "interesting" and very often misunderstood phenomenon, called TONSILOLITHS. Literally translated, they are "tonsil stones" produced by conglomeration of mucus draining down back of throat and volatile sulfur compounds created by bacteria which easily end up in "nooks and crannies" of tonsils, every time one swallows. I can't tell you how many stories I've heard from my patients who asked their dentist what these objects were, and more often than not answer was 'food particles'. This couldn't be further from truth!

Medication and Drugs MAY help Prevent Post-Nasal Drip, But At What Cost?

She’s now able to do her usual activities and is motivated to go back to work — something she has struggled to do for a while. Despite her improvement, antidepressant side effects have emerged and are bothersome. Maria begins to consider discontinuing her medications prematurely.

Antidepressant side effects are real and negatively affect patient’s compliance. Many patients like Maria consider stopping medication even at risk of relapse because of distressing side effects.

How do you deal with some of common antidepressant side effects?

Insomnia Some antidepressants e.g. SSRIs (serotonin-reuptake inhibitor) are highly stimulating that they cause insomnia when taken in afternoon or at bedtime. Take this type of medication in morning. Discuss with your physician use of a sedating medication such as trazodone or sedative-hypnotic drug along with antidepressant. If you want to take only one pill, talk to your doctor about switching to a sedating antidepressant such as mirtazapine.

Moreover, sleep hygiene should be practiced. Avoid naps and intake of caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda in afternoon and evening. Involve in regular exercise and physical activities during day. Moreover, use bedroom only for sleep and sex and not for recreational activities.

Weight gain

Regular exercise is weight gain’s antidote. If no medical contraindication, you may consider jogging, walking, or swimming. To reduce some excess and unwanted fat, keep yourself busy with physical and recreational activities.

How about diet? Diet has always been a part of any weight control regimen. Monitor your carbohydrate intake. Ice cream, chocolates, and other high-caloric foods should be reduced. If none of above works, talk to your doctor about switching pills.

Sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction happens too often but is rarely asked or discussed in clinic. Some physicians and patients feel embarrassed about this subject. When you have concerns, be open to your physician. Discuss possibility of switching medication to an antidepressant (such as bupropion or mirtazapine) that doesn’t significantly impair sexual functioning. Also, talk to your doctor about adding another drug such as bupropion, yohimbine, or even mirtazapine to counteract sexual side effect.