bad breath and constipation

Go to the doctor and get a detailed breathe test. Could be a few things -IBS, Celiac, SIBO, or other similar problems. Hopefully, certain antibiotics can help. Digestive problems leads to large amounts of gas and a constipation-diahhera cycle. Good luck.

Do the Miralax twice a day, once am and once pm also take a stool softener mid day. I have that problem when I fail to do the gut regimen due to too much protein in my diet and it sucks! I know the pain you’re going through and sometimes it’s hard to even walk, not to mention hemorrhoids from pushing too hard. If you have hemorrhoid trouble apply Vicks Vaporub to the affected area….it works very well but make sure it’s Vicks brand and not the knockoffs. I’m a man so I don’t have to worry but I’ve been told that females need to be careful not to go too far forward with the Vicks, hopefully you can figure out what I mean!
As for bad breath, I can’t remember the product but you can buy OTC breath pills. These take care of bad breath very well as they work from the gut not the mouth.
For your tongue, try using a tongue brush rather than a scraper…I’m a throat/tongue cancer survivor and I have to keep my tongue clean and scraper doesn’t work!
Hope this helps, message me if needed.
MOJO

I stopped eating all grains and processed foods (full of grains), have never had GERD since. A life time of constipation and gut issues solved.

how do i know i have GERD? i don’t really get heartburn after eating. also, did your gerd cause bad breath?

Hello @daisymaisy and welcome to Mayo Connect. I would agree with @marylandbob's suggestion that you talk with a doctor about this problem. Your PCP or gynecologist might be able to help you sort out the problem. There are many possible reasons for this type of constipation and a doctor is the best one to order tests and make that determination.

As was suggested, MiraLAX is effective as a stool softener and might be helpful until you can see your doctor. Perhaps start with a smaller dose than indicated on the product to begin with and then as you can tolerate it, you can increase to the full dose.

In the meantime, please take a look at many of the posts on Connect where members talk about dealing with constipation. Here is the link to those posts,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/?search=constipation#discussion-listview
I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you continue to post about your progress in dealing with this problem?

All good advice above and the whiteish texture on your tongue: I've heard that your tongue being coated can sometimes be indicative of allergies (maybe in your case, a food allergy that's also causing the digestive probs). Also the long narrow or hard, pebble-like poop, also bad gas can sometimes mean diverticulitis; might be worth checking into that also.

I'm going through pretty much what you are and I think the diverticulitis which I've been diagnosed with is the main cause.

Anyway, good luck, I hope you find a solution.

Yes, GERD can cause bad breath. The acid can cause chronic sore throat and you must reason that the tube of digestion is continuous from your mouth to your anus. It’s important to get your bowels moving regularly and the best way is with proper diet. If I make a smoothie with 2 tbls ground flax seed my bowels are guaranteed to move. (Must be ground ) do not consume the seeds without grinding, I use a coffee grinder. Much healthier than taking stimulants. Sugary foods, grains, processed foods are very constipating and especially ice cream.

That bad breath and the white you can't get off sounds like thrush. I've had it several times due to my gi problems. Ask for a yeast pill instead of the crap they make you swallow, that will make you more miserable! You should probably see a gastroenterologist and they can look at your stomach and throat. I also have chronic constipation and I take miralax around 3x a day. Keep drinking lots of warm liquids and soups, buy a humidifier and leave by your bed at night. Fats and fiber always help me avocados, grapes, bananas, steel cut oats. Try relaxing your pelvic floor by lying down and putting a hot pad over your lower stomach for 30 min a day. Also kegel exercises. Stool softeners pill form without the stimulant should soften stool without cramping. I hope something helps!

Also all the straining can cause tears in the skin down there called a anal fissure. From personal experience even if it heals, it will come back without treatment and that can affect the way you poop as well. So it's pretty important to get that under control. Chronic constipation can wreck havoc on your whole system.

thank you for your responses, i really appreciate it. the miralax i’ve been taking has helped with bowel movements which is great, but my bad breath isn’t changing. in response to the white tongue i mentioned which is more light greyish tbh (after seeing some photos of people with severe white coatings), i’ve noticed i also semi frequently grow some yellow (which had a different smell/taste) that i can actually get off by brushing? it’s not always, but i can’t pinpoint the pattern or food that causes it. idk if you recognize this as “thrush” or something else? i don’t have other symptoms of a yeast infection idk.
also i’m thinking of taking vitamin b-12 bc i heard a deficiency might cause bad breath.