Does chronic pharyngitis cause bad breath?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Chronic pharyngitis is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology. The main symptoms of chronic pharyngitis include dry throat, itchy throat, foreign body sensation in the throat, and sore throat. Some patients may also experience bad breath, which is mainly caused by the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. In treating chronic pharyngitis, the primary approach is to address the cause. For example, if the patient frequently smokes, drinks alcohol, or consumes spicy, stimulating foods and cold drinks, it is necessary to avoid such habits. Additionally, rinsing the mouth with saline can help maintain oral hygiene. Furthermore, regular exercise is recommended to enhance the patient's physical condition to resist chronic pharyngitis and reduce its occurrence.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Chronic pharyngitis is classified into several types.

Chronic pharyngitis, based on pathological conditions, is divided into three types. The first type is chronic simple pharyngitis, which is also the most common type we usually refer to. It mainly involves chronic congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa and hyperplasia of lymphatic follicles on the posterior pharyngeal wall. The second type is chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, which can be observed during examination as congested and thickened pharyngeal mucosa with proliferating lymphatic tissue, appearing rather thick. The third type is atrophic and dry pharyngitis, which is relatively rare in clinical cases and often accompanies atrophic rhinitis. A primary symptom is dryness in the throat because the pathological changes mainly involve a decrease in the secretory function of the glandular tissues in the pharynx, resulting in reduced secretions and the mucosa becoming atrophic and thin. Based on the different causes of the condition, it can also be divided into several types. One type is simple pharyngitis, also referred to as chronic simple pharyngitis, related to smoking, drinking, air pollution, and excessive talking. Another type is reflux pharyngitis, which is now also a disease with a relatively high incidence rate, mainly caused by gastroesophageal reflux leading to chronic inflammation of the stomach and damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and throat, known as reflux pharyngitis. Additionally, some cases are secondary to rhinitis and sinusitis, due to the long-term discomfort in the throat caused by the backflow of nasal discharge, leading to chronic inflammatory responses; this is also a type of secondary pharyngitis.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is a diffuse chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane, submucosal layer, and lymphatic tissues mainly seen in adults. Its primary symptoms include a foreign body sensation in the throat, itchiness, a sensation of heat, dryness, and potentially pain during swallowing. Thick secretions often adhere to the throat wall, causing patients to experience frequent irritative coughing and a nauseous feeling upon waking in the morning. Sometimes, there may be no phlegm or only granular secretions coughed up. In the case of atrophic pharyngitis, there might be foul-smelling scabs. Clinically, it is advised to avoid spicy and irritating foods, and not to smoke or drink alcohol, etc.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis flare-ups

The symptoms of chronic pharyngitis mainly include the following points. The first is a foreign body sensation in the throat. This sensation in the throat is a subjective feeling of the patient, often most noticeable when swallowing saliva, that is, when the throat is otherwise empty. However, there is no significant obstruction when eating or drinking, which is a typical clinical feature and characteristic of chronic pharyngitis caused by a foreign body sensation in the throat. The second symptom is pain in the throat. When chronic pharyngitis is triggered by certain adverse stimuli, there can be a sensation of pain in the throat, as well as nausea. Many people with chronic pharyngitis experience nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning when brushing their teeth or upon waking, which stimulates movement in the throat.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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How to treat chronic pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in otolaryngology, with many patients experiencing symptoms of chronic pharyngitis. The condition can be caused by long-term smoking, drinking, or consuming spicy and stimulating foods, chilled foods, and cold drinks, leading to acute congestion and proliferation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Patients often experience a noticeable foreign body sensation in the throat, along with sore throat, dry throat, and itchiness. To manage chronic pharyngitis on a daily basis, it is crucial to maintain oral hygiene, be cautious with voice use, and reduce the intake of spicy, stimulating foods and cold drinks, while also avoiding smoking and drinking as much as possible.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Causes of chronic pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is a very common disease in otolaryngology, with many specific causes that are not singular. Its causes are mainly related to lifestyle habits, diet, and some secondary and primary diseases. Common causes include smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of spicy and irritating food, staying up late, high psychological stress, and significant emotional fluctuations, all of which can lead to chronic pharyngitis. Another cause is secondary pharyngitis, which results from primary diseases such as chronic rhinitis and sinusitis. Due to the long-term backflow of nasal discharge, which flows back into the throat and irritates the mucous membrane, a chronic inflammatory response is produced. This is also a common cause of chronic pharyngitis. Furthermore, there is reflux pharyngitis, which is also a type of chronic pharyngitis. Some people have stomach diseases and reflux esophagitis, where long-term acid reflux leads to damage in the mucous membranes of the throat, causing chronic inflammation with symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, burning sensation, and throat dryness. Therefore, there are many causes of chronic pharyngitis, including both primary and secondary reasons. A specific diagnosis needs to be made by a doctor based on a thorough medical history and physical examination.