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What Causes Severe Headache With Persistent Halitosis?

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Posted on Thu, 17 Dec 2015
Twitter Thu, 17 Dec 2015 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 7 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : i have been having persistent bad breath that i can't get rid of. i don't have any medical conditions that i have been diagnosed, but every morning there is mucus in my throat that i have to move to be able to speak clearly and sometimes its hard to move. also gets headaches sometimes. can you please tell me ₩hat may be ₩rong ₩ith me.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possible sinus allergies or infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

The bad breath goes with the other symptoms. Sinus drainage can cause bad breath, and the drainage down into your throat and vocal cords can cause the mucus and congested voice. It may also cause sinus pressure headaches.

If you are otherwise feeling well, and there hasn't been discolored nasal discharge for more than 3 weeks (not including the morning when it is common to have discolored discharge), it may be allergies or irritants that are inflaming your sinuses. For this you can try:

1. Guifenesin to thin the secretions so they can be cleared out. Guaifenesin is a mucolytic - it's sold over the counter at any pharmacy in the US. One brand is Mucinex, for example. You have to drink much water for it to work well.

2. Consider a corticosteroid nasal spray. You can get Flonase without prescription. this needs to be used every day to work, and it may take at least a week to start to work well.

3. Nettipot saline irrigation. You can buy the things you need for this at a pharmacy. This will help wash out the mucus. Don't do this within an hour or two of the nasal spray or you will wash it out.

4. Dust mite covers for pillow, mattress. You may be allergic to something in your sleeping environment. Washing bedding in hot water and encasing in dust mite covers can help if this is the case.

If these don't help adequately, then do go in to see a doctor about the headaches.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Severe Headache With Persistent Halitosis?

Brief Answer: Possible sinus allergies or infection. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, The bad breath goes with the other symptoms. Sinus drainage can cause bad breath, and the drainage down into your throat and vocal cords can cause the mucus and congested voice. It may also cause sinus pressure headaches. If you are otherwise feeling well, and there hasn't been discolored nasal discharge for more than 3 weeks (not including the morning when it is common to have discolored discharge), it may be allergies or irritants that are inflaming your sinuses. For this you can try: 1. Guifenesin to thin the secretions so they can be cleared out. Guaifenesin is a mucolytic - it's sold over the counter at any pharmacy in the US. One brand is Mucinex, for example. You have to drink much water for it to work well. 2. Consider a corticosteroid nasal spray. You can get Flonase without prescription. this needs to be used every day to work, and it may take at least a week to start to work well. 3. Nettipot saline irrigation. You can buy the things you need for this at a pharmacy. This will help wash out the mucus. Don't do this within an hour or two of the nasal spray or you will wash it out. 4. Dust mite covers for pillow, mattress. You may be allergic to something in your sleeping environment. Washing bedding in hot water and encasing in dust mite covers can help if this is the case. If these don't help adequately, then do go in to see a doctor about the headaches. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.