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Is people step back from you when you are talking to them, or they avoid direct contact with you? Is your bad breath is interfering with your social or professional success?  Bad breath is not something that one should be ashamed of, because it can be treated. Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. People with bad breath usually observe a white or yellow film on the tongue. This is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and nasal mucous and tends to be heaviest in the back areas of the tongue.

Causes of Bad Breath:

• When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth.
• Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can be the cause of bad breath.
• Dry mouth
• Poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease can also be a source of bad breath.
• Bad breath is also associated with sinus infections because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor.
• Smoking dries out your mouth and causes its own unpleasant mouth odor.

A sore throat - known medically as pharyngitis - is most often caused by a viral infection such as a cold or the flu (influenza). In many cases, a sore throat is the first sign that you're getting sick. In most cases, a sore throat is caused by a virus that soon goes away on its own. A sore throat is rarely caused by a bacterial infection that requires medical care or treatment with antibiotics.

Causes:

Any sore throat that causes you to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain with swallowing) or breathing should be seen by a health care professional.

Complications: Strep throat, a bacterial infection, can trigger other conditions that include:

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Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria." We share a complicated relationship with bacteria. It exists on our skin, in our intestinal tract, urinary tract, among other places. Too much bacteria can make us very ill, but too little can also make us more vulnerable to illness. Probiotics  can actually be of some benefit when consumed.

Benefits: Friendly bacteria are vital to proper development of the immune system, to protection against microorganisms that could cause disease, and to the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.

• Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal micro flora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection.
• It reduces some allergic reactions.
• Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.
• Helps in treating and preventing respiratory infections, especially in children (emerging good evidence)
• Prevents the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.
• Regular ingestion of probiotic bacteria may help prevent vaginal yeast infection.
• Helps in the restoration of the correct balance of natural microflora after stress, antibiotic treatment, alcohol use and chemotherapy.
• One probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii, has prevented diarrhea in several human trials.
• Probiotics also promote healthy digestion. Enzymes secreted by probiotic bacteria aid digestion.

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