Swollen Uvula Cause: STDs, Snoring, After Drinking/Surgery Skip to content. Yes, snoring can cause a swollen uvula. However, neck surgery done to solve snoring is often ineffective because the uvula is not the primary cause of snoring. People with weakened immune systems and those with chronic conditions like asthma, heart or liver disease are also at a high risk of contracting influenza. If you have just had a tonsillectomy, you should expect to recover within 7 to 10 days, according to HealthGuide HQ. If you have uvulitis, your uvula will appear red, puffy, and larger than normal. Your baby may also have trouble breathing at night. Are Sinus Issues Triggering your Migraine? You might find bumps at the back of the tongue. Since uvulitis is commonly associated with other conditions such as infection, allergies or trauma and treating the underlying cause usually eases your uvulitis symptoms. Ingrown Hair on Scalp (Head) with Cyst, Bump: Causes & Removal, Toenail Falling Off: Causes (Diabetes, Cancer, Injury) and Home Remedies, Black Spots on Tongue (Under, Side, Tip) Pictures & How to Remove Tiny Dark Dots, Why Whiteheads on Eyelid (Upper, Lower Rim) & Getting Rid of Bumps. It is common in children under the age of five and adults over 65 years. The heat from a cup of tea can be soothing. If there is no proper care before healing, expect to experience it swelling due to bacterial or viral infections. Antiseptic mouthwashes such as Listerine can also help you heal a uvula that is swelling overnight. Uvula: Anatomy, Function & Definition - Cleveland Clinic The reason behind this is that honey is both an antibacterial and anti-fungal kitchen remedy. In some individuals, a swollen uvula after drinking is a result of an alcohol . Some of the reasons for such injury include ingesting hot food, GERD, medical procedures such as tonsillectomy (tonsil removal), intubation, or endoscopy. Swollen Uvula - Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies Additionally, open-mouth snorers take in air that exposes the uvula to dryness which further irritates it. If you suffer from snoring and a swollen uvula, come for a consultation. This is also called edema. Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin may also cause swelling. Uvulitis usually isnt dangerous, and youll likely feel better in a couple of days. Common causes of epiglottitis include the Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria, smoking, injury to the throat caused by chemicals and hot substances, fungal and viral infections. I can only lay down on my side, Everyday I feel tired. We have many patients that travel from long distances to get care by Dr. Severe swelling of the uvula can interfere with your ability to swallow and even restrict breathing. Elongated (Long) Uvula Causes, Symptoms and Treatment VitalSleep is proudly manufactured in the USA. It is located at the back of the throat to help close the windpipe when you swallow. Why Do I Wake up with a Swollen Uvula? | Sinus & Snoring Specialists How do you sleep with a swollen uvula? - mcdonald.youramys.com But just because you snore, it doesn't mean that your uvula becomes larger than normal. Sometimes the uvula can be burned with hot food that can result in swelling. Uvulitis is usually a symptom of another infection or disease. The quality of the air you take in when you breathe affects your upper throat, uvula, and soft palate. In most cases, this involves taking antibiotics, antivirals or corticosteroids. You can also swash it around your mouth to get rid of uvulitis. is still experiencing issues, we would be happy to assist. Vaping, smoking weed, and even e-cigarettes can all cause the swelling. Similarly, your uvula can become swollen and sore resulting in inflammation called uvulitis. What happens if you remove the uvula? - Sage-Advices Uvula: Purpose, Removal, and More - WebMD What are Dental Implant Vacations and Why are They Becoming so Popular? Discomfort From Swollen Uvula Due To Snoring The uvula is seen as one of the reasons why people snore. It may also help symptoms of OSA. Comment by Rickiecia Murray on February 11, 2022 at 4:03 am, Hello, we are happy to help. This results in dryness of the throat including uvula. Some drug side effects can cause your uvula to swell. According to experts, enlarged/inflamed uvulas are common among individuals who snore or suffer from sleep apnea. The uvula is the little hanging structure in the back of the throat. Sucking on ice chips also helps manage the swelling. Such an allergic reaction causes swelling in the mouth and throat. Allergens: An allergic reaction to food or other irritants can cause swelling in different parts of the body, including the uvula. Whats more, alcohol dries out the mucous membranes and causes difficulty in respiration. Then, theyll treat the underlying problem. You might find yourself entangled with a mild sore throat, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders. Some people with COVID-19 may develop an inflamed or swollen uvula. The uvula may swell due to GERD (acid reflux) and vomiting (throwing up or puking). Uvulaplasty can shorten and stiffen the uvula as well. It is a unique genetic disorder characterized by rapid swelling of the different parts of the body, which may also trigger the swelling in the uvula. Sometimes you can touch your tongue with some substances that irritants or pollutants which may trigger an invasion of the uvula making even breathing and swallowing difficult in extreme cases. When the UPPP is performed, part (or all) of the uvula is removed to make way for air to flow through the airways with ease, particularly if the patient is suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Frequent vomiting also irritates your throat and causes a swollen uvula. It also assists in our speech and protects us from swallowing germs and bacteria. It secretes saliva to keep your mouth lubricated. No, snoring is caused by a "floppy" upper airway. However, Dr. Christopher Chang of Fauquier ENT notes that uvula removal is not a conclusive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. I want to know how to not let it happen If I go from obese to closer to my weight will it ease up ? Possible causes of swollen uvula include: Snoring frequently. After surgery, the patient has to have utmost care to prevent infection and recurrence of the condition. Other sources of trauma and stress include: These cause minor swelling that goes away when treated by drinking cold fluids and avoiding spicy foods such as hot pepper. The medical term used to refer to an enlarged and inflamed palatal uvula extension is uvulitis. Throat lozenges can help lubricate the throat and bring relief to a swollen uvula. These two can irritate the throat because of the acid that is being regurgitated into the throat area and even in the mouth. Comment by Veronica Nelson on February 21, 2021 at 6:39 pm. But if your uvula becomes swollen, it can feel pretty irritating. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 12. In other cases, the reaction is caused by certain foods like milk, nuts, fish, and eggs. This will help with the dryness that comes from snoring. This can be worsened if the uvula becomes swollen or irritated. To avoid such dire consequences, ensure you get your annual flu shot to beef up your defense against it. A sore throat may come with no other symptoms, but in most cases, an itchy throat, pain and irritation, and sometimes cough accompany this problem. A swollen uvula is often blamed for snoring. All Rights Reserved. What if the swollen uvula touches your tongue? In case of an emergency, CALL 911 FOR QUICK HELP. Allergic reactions in the throat are sometimes treated with a shot of epinephrine. If you do not have an infection, you can try to alleviate the discomfort of an inflamed uvula at home in a few different ways. As part of the soft palate, it can dangle into the airway when you sleep, narrowing the airway and providing a structure that is freer to vibrate than many other structures in the airway. Speech problems. Swollen Uvula - Causes, Symptoms, Home Remedies, Treatment Other home remedies include chewing garlic, quitting smoking, chewing on ginger, drinking herbal tea made of ginger, cloves, black pepper, and holy basil. Such viral infections are highly contagious and an infected person remains contagious for up to six months. Patients present to our office frequently reporting mornings where their uvula is severely swollen. If you wake up every morning with an inflamed uvula, you could be breathing through the mouth at night. It causes the mouth to dry up. The remaining space is reduced and air passing through causes vibrations. According to experts at Michigan Universitys Health Department, the main reasons for this procedure are: Risk factors associated with this type of surgery include: In one study, while the majority (73 percent) of patients who underwent this procedure were relatively pleased with the results, 23 percent reported long-term problems such as: After several years, 27 percent of these patients said they would not have gotten the procedure done. HANE is a result of a rare genetic condition that attacks different parts of the body to cause swelling. Less commonly, some conditions, such as severe snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, may require surgical uvula removal. A swollen uvula can be caused by a reaction to how certain medications interact with your body. This reason is attributed to its position in the mouth. People who experience such genetic mutations get their first HANE attack during childhood. Uvulitis is inflammation of the uvula. When you have a sore throat and an enlarged uvula, you could be suffering from a bacterial infection. Having an elongated uvula can interfere with breathing and is an unusual cause of chronic cough. . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Comment by Cynthia Smith on November 20, 2019 at 2:44 am, Hi Cynthia, your response to this blog got stuck in SPAM. It can often be the reason why you wake up with a swollen uvula and is linked to sleep apnea. Please give us a call 512-601-0303. This may cause swelling and irritation of tonsils, epiglottis, tongue, and uvula. You should see a healthcare professional if you have breathing problems, a fever, persistent dry cough, chest pain, severe muscle pain or weakness, a sore throat, and nasal congestion. Comment by Bernie jett on December 18, 2021 at 12:54 pm, Balloon Sinuplasty open the nasal airway and resolve the issue. Infections in the throat should be treated as soon as possible to reduce their risks.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'treatnheal_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-treatnheal_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Physical trauma and injury to the uvula are a source of physical stress that can cause it to swell. The rapid air creates a suction current as it passes the uvula. Most people confuse it with tonsils. Also, if you want to compare, we have a good article here onVitalSleep Vs. SnoreRx. The remaining space is reduced and air passing through causes vibrations. The swollen uvula is in a child who is also showing signs of an infection (fever, coughing, etc.). Did you know that breathing through your mouth dries up the throat? When monitoring a healthy sleeper, you ought to only listen to the mild audios of inhales and breathes out as the sleeper takes healthy rhythmic breaths. Uvulitis may also be associated with: an itchy, burning, or sore throat spots on your throat snoring difficulty. You have difficulty swallowing or breathing. A painful, enlarged or elongated uvula can also be caused by other factors listed below. Order yours today with a one-year warranty and 60-night money-back guarantee. When you sleep, your uvula vibrates. It is also essential to know when to see a doctor as an emergency case. While symptoms may take a few days to manifest in adults, they show and progress more rapidly in children. Snoring-Individuals who snore usually keeps their mouth open. Bacterial or viral infection. e) not applicable to me but allergies can lead to a swollen uvula and some people have to carry epipens with them to inject themselves with adrenalin as soon as their uvula starts swelling. Antihistamines to assist reduce the itching caused by this condition. People who smoke and those who work in areas that are highly polluted are reported to have more cases of swelling of the throat and uvula. Uvulitis | UF Health, University of Florida Health People who snore or breathe through the mouth expedite dehydration. The following are a few home remedies that may help you manage the symptoms of an inflamed uvula. Some try removing the object with their fingers causing even more irritation and the risk of bacterial infection. Snoring occurs when a person's airways at the back of the mouth and nose are obstructed. Acute swollen of uvula (uvulitis) The uvula contacts the food passing through the mouth, that is, products that are hot and which can increase tissue relaxation may cause the uvula to elongate over time. Unfortunately, for individuals with sleep apnea or who frequently snore, uvulitis is fairly common and the best way to treat it is to treat the underlying condition. While the uvula can rotate around to serve its many purposes, each snore causes it to vibrate excessively which puts it under too much stress. Excessive consumption of alcohol. There are several things you can do at home to relieve your uvulitis symptoms: Often, uvulitis goes away on its own in a couple of days. Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition. If you snore heavily, the uvula vibrates more causing the throat to take a thorough beating. Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections such as strep throat. Gagging. People who suffer from a swollen mouth, throat, and uvula from drinking alcohol may be suffering from alcohol allergy.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'treatnheal_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-treatnheal_com-banner-1-0'); Another explanation is that your throat and other organs in the mouth may swell due to dehydration. Such allergic reactions can be caused by medication like ACE inhibitors used to treat conditions that tighten your blood vessels, and ipratropium bromide used for breathing conditions. Snoring. This condition is known as NSAID-induced angioedema. The rapid and turbulent air reaches the back of the patients nose and enters the back of the throat where the uvula hangs.