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Pus Taste In Mouth, Had Similar Symptoms Post Tonsil Removal. Cause And Cure?
I had my tonsils taken out in 2008 at the age of 25. After surgery, my mouth was very infected and full of pus . I remember the distinct smell/taste. Since 2 months after the operation, I have not had any issues concerningmy throat/tonsills. The last 3 weeks now I have ben tasting the same pus taste as I did back in 2008. It took me about a week to figure out what the taste was, but now I remember quite well. I do not have any pain anywhere, but the taste is always there no matter how much I brush my teeth . What is it and/or what should I be doing?
Fri, 6 Sep 2013
I am Dr Sriram Nathan and I am an ENT consultant and head and heck surgeon who has been treating patients for close to a decade now.
I have understood your concern about the tonsillectomy history and why your taste has gone haywire! In all probability you may have a combination of respiratory infection with reflux.
Your tongue is reacting to the reflux in a way which we call "the mucositis" and also since am sure nothing tastes good you are unable to eat sufficient greens which has led to a vitamin deficiency. One of the foremost indicators of such deficiency is altered taste of the tongue. There can be many other causes also; but this is one of the commonest.
You should understand that reflux treatment involves both medications and more importantly lifestyle modifications. While medications can offer you good temporary relief, the lifestyle modifications give you a permanent relief which takes times to achieve.
Coming to your treatment as such:
1.Take a course of anti relux such as tablet pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily before food for two weeks along with antacid syrup thrice daily after food for two weeks. Your doctor will know about these.
2. Start a multivitamin tablet like Zincovit twice daily for two weeks after food for two weeks and then once daily after food for one month or so. Your doctor will know about this.
3. Avoid anything which is spicy, Oily and high flavored
4. Take lots of green leafy vegetables in any form like salad, soup, side or main course even if it tastes bland or salty.
5. Take an exercise regimen to achieve and maintain your ideal weight. You should remember that even weight loss can cause or aggravate reflux.
If you get fever or pain or any other signs of infection then take a course of antibiotic in consultation with your doctor.
Wait for at least two weeks after you do the above religiously before you panic, as I have mentioned before that these take time to manifest. If you do not feel better at the end of that time then we may have to consider other causes and start with an Upper GI endoscopy and complete blood analysis and take it from there.
Take care and get well soon
Dr Sriram Nathan
I have understood your concern about the tonsillectomy history and why your taste has gone haywire! In all probability you may have a combination of respiratory infection with reflux.
Your tongue is reacting to the reflux in a way which we call "the mucositis" and also since am sure nothing tastes good you are unable to eat sufficient greens which has led to a vitamin deficiency. One of the foremost indicators of such deficiency is altered taste of the tongue. There can be many other causes also; but this is one of the commonest.
You should understand that reflux treatment involves both medications and more importantly lifestyle modifications. While medications can offer you good temporary relief, the lifestyle modifications give you a permanent relief which takes times to achieve.
Coming to your treatment as such:
1.Take a course of anti relux such as tablet pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily before food for two weeks along with antacid syrup thrice daily after food for two weeks. Your doctor will know about these.
2. Start a multivitamin tablet like Zincovit twice daily for two weeks after food for two weeks and then once daily after food for one month or so. Your doctor will know about this.
3. Avoid anything which is spicy, Oily and high flavored
4. Take lots of green leafy vegetables in any form like salad, soup, side or main course even if it tastes bland or salty.
5. Take an exercise regimen to achieve and maintain your ideal weight. You should remember that even weight loss can cause or aggravate reflux.
If you get fever or pain or any other signs of infection then take a course of antibiotic in consultation with your doctor.
Wait for at least two weeks after you do the above religiously before you panic, as I have mentioned before that these take time to manifest. If you do not feel better at the end of that time then we may have to consider other causes and start with an Upper GI endoscopy and complete blood analysis and take it from there.
Take care and get well soon
Dr Sriram Nathan
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