Not Sure How to Ask This/odd Cough up Thing/forget to Ask the Dentist.

My husband gets those bad. He has bad breath quite a bit. He has been to a dr for it. It is called tonsillolith or tonsil stones. The only way to get rid of them is to have his tonsils removed.

Tonsil stones are one option of a couple.

If you're a strep carrier (80% of healthcare workers are strep or staph carriers, and about 35% of the general population) OR have recently had strep throat (past few months),... then it's quite probable that they are encapsulated strep pustules.

Especially for people with highly texturized pharanx, larynx, esophogus (naturally or due to damage from any one of several sources), or those with reflux... that they are encapsulated food particles.

For people prone to sinus infections, or if you've just had a sinus infection, or if you've just had pneumonia or other respiratory infection it's probable that they are ... (wait for it)... encapsulated bacteium/mold/or viral colonies that were not trapped in your mucus.

"Encapsulation" is the process in which the body wraps dangerous or foreign objects to protect from infection. Mostly made out of white blood cells, they can form very quickly (like in the case of strep throat) or take months to coat around a microscopic piece of food. The body does this in the same way that pearls coat objects, but not so pretty, and they smell in a uniquely terrible way that is impossible to describe. The medical term for the smell is "putrid".

The "easy" way to tell if it's encapsulated microbes or food, or tonsil stones is whether they squish or not. Tonsil stones are calcified (mostly made up of calcium with some phosphorous, mag, etc.) and are very very hard. Encapsulated foreign bodies have the same texture as cooked rice.

I can tell you exactly what this is, because I had it, too! I will bet it is small particles that come loose from crypts (pockets) in your tonsils when you cough. They smell bad because it is usually from a low-level infection (bacteria that are inside your tonsils and possibly food particles that have become trapped there and have degraded.) I went to see an ENT (ear nose & throat specialist) who said the only "cure" or treatment was to have my tonsils removed. I did have the tonsilectomy because I was also having frequent throat and sinus infections. It was worth it, because I am much healthier and don't get sick so frequently and no more nasty, foul tasting and horrible smelling chunks coming out. But, a tonsilectomy as an adult IS painful, it took me about a week to recover. Best of luck to you. If you are in Sarasota I'd recommend Dr. Roger Shea or Dr. Seth Rosenberg.

OK.. way TMI/gross stuff, ready? I get them... I call them "throat chunks". They have a real name but I forget what they're called. They're actually stuff that gets stuck in my tonsils. My doc said it is sinus drainage and is not anything to worry about. I agree about the smell, yuk!

Thank you for asking this question. I have had these off and on through the years (I call them "throat boogers" :-D) and my DH also thinks I'm weird. I have always thought I was an oddball. It made my day to know that I am not alone and even more so to know what they are.

i have never heard of this but I would love to hear more.....you cough them up....like they come up from your belly? You really need to ask your dentist but more importantly maybe save some in a baggie to show them. Maybe even talk to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. What does your friend say about it? have they asked about them? So interesting..........

It's not true that the only way to get rid of them is through removing your tonsils. One option is to do laser resurfacing of your tonsils but the crypts can regrow sometimes.
Diet is key too, removing dairy and sugar from your diet greatly reduces the amount you get and frequency.
My mother had them, I have them and my lucky daughter does too. My husband had them until puberty and then they went away, lucky him!

Gargle!!! they are in your tonsils.....I believe its just food that gets stuck
but uh yea its way gross and stinky. Used to get those when I was younger

Try gargling with fresh lemon juice in cold water.

http://www.tonsilstones.com/

Yep... I know what you are talking about!

Take a look at the above article and see if that fits....

I just read the article a bit and realized it was trying to sell something, but it still had good information about the tonsil stones.

i used to get them all the time... gargle with peroxide! its nasty, but it works!

They are tonsil stones. Google them. It's matter that builds up in your tonsils,and they smell disgusting.

You can remove them with a waterpick, or, if you don't have a bad gag reflex, you can pry them out with a long q-tip or something. You should be able to see them on your tonsils.

Males get them too. Anyone with tonsils can get them. I don't, 'cause I don't have tonsils. :)

I used to get those in my twenties, but haven't had them for years! Very interesting responses. I always thought that mine looked like tiny clusters of grapes, and yes, they were the texture of cooked rice, but off white, and stinky poo! Btw...I have never had my tonsils out!

My sister had this with blood even. Her doctor told her it's like diverticulitis (sp?) in your throat. Basically, there are little pockets in the lining of your throat and they are catching particles of your food and stuff you eat as they go down your throat. She hates it but I'm not sure that there is a remedy. Good luck!