Odor for 1 week WITHOUT post nasal drip/head-cold/allergies

[Dirwood]

I'm a 42 year old white male, in good health.  Since I was young I noticed a certain odor that would occur now and again, going away usually within a week or so.  The odor would change in make up (sometimes sour, some foul, mostly soft and slightly sweet, hard to define).

Recently, for about a week now, I have this scent back in my nose.  Its sweet and slightly musky.  I've used a Neti pot with a zinc / aloe formula to flush out the scent.  No luck.  I've always brushed my tongue after brushing my teeth, and have started to gargle, again with no luck.

I will be going to see my family doctor but am wondering this.... if there is no cold or overt sinus congestion/breathing blockage from my nose, what could this possibly be?  How can it be cured?  and can something like this come about for no reason and never go away?

Thank you for your time,
Dirwood

[Coughingalot]

What do your tonsils look like? I have one tonsil that has a lot of features and has been known to trap the food I eat then harbor bacteria which tend to emit various odors. My specialist prescribed a gargle cocktail of mouthwash, salt water and peroxide. Doesn't work and takes a lot of time to put together each day. Not sure there is a cure for my condition (unless I want to risk removing the tonsil, which I've heard is entirely TOO painful).

[National Jewish]

There is a condition called atrophic rhinitis that results in excessive dryness of the nasal membranes and associated malodors.  As far as I know there is no cure, but frequent cleaning of the nose and the administration of moisturizing agents can help.  Surgery has been tried but the results are equivocal.  Your family doctor is a good place to start, but you may also need to see an ENT specialist.