Your uvula can be damaged during an intubation, such as during surgery. Your uvula can also be injured during a tonsillectomy. This is a procedure to remove your tonsils, which are located on both sides of your uvula. An uncommon condition called hereditary angioedema can cause swelling of the uvula and throat, as well as swelling of the face, hands, and feet. However, it only occurs in 1 in 10, to 1 in 50, people, according to the US Hereditary Angioedema Association.
Elongated uvula is a rare genetic condition in which the uvula is larger than normal. Like uvulitis, it can interfere with breathing. However, unlike uvulitis, when treatment is necessary, surgery is the only option. Anyone can get uvulitis, but adults get it less often than children do. A few home remedies can help keep you strong and soothe your irritated throat:. If your throat hurts when you drink, try drinking small amounts throughout the day. Your urine should be light in color. If you have fever or swelling of your throat, see your doctor.
This is most likely a sign that a condition that requires medical treatment is causing your uvulitis. Be prepared to give a complete medical history to your doctor.
Tell your doctor:. Your doctor may be able to diagnose the condition through a physical exam. Your doctor may also swab your nostrils to test for influenza. They may need to test your blood to help identify or rule out some other infectious agents. If results from those tests are inconclusive, you may need to see an allergist. Blood and skin tests can help identify foods or other substances that cause a reaction. When you have something like the common cold, swelling usually clears up on its own without treatment.
Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. You can experience a swollen uvula, also known as uvulitis, as a result of your body's inflammatory response. Your uvula is a bell-shaped organ that hangs from your soft palate, or the back of the roof of the mouth.
The uvula plays a role in speech and is capable of producing saliva, being composed of several types of tissue, including both muscular and glandular. The uvula also contributes to the sounds made when a person snores. The purpose of the uvula is not well understood, though some researchers believe it is a marker of human evolution. Some believe that it protects you while drinking with head down and body in a bent position. Others believe that it was an adaptive mechanism to protect ancient humans from insects flying into their mouths while running.
A swollen uvula, which is an uncommon disorder, may cause a variety of symptoms based upon the inflammation at and around the uvula. Swelling of the uvula without inflammation of other tissues and structures around the uvula is very rare. A swollen uvula may play a role in obstructive sleep apnea.
This surgery is often combined with a base of tongue procedure or a procedure to pull the tongue forward to increase its efficacy. A swollen uvula may also be caused by the following conditions. Infections of the throat may cause other tissues, and subsequently the uvula, to swell. These infections can be bacterial or viral, and may include:. A doctor will help determine the cause of your swollen uvula to recommend a proper course of treatment.
You should speak with a doctor if you are experiencing the following:. When you visit the doctor, you should let them know if you have been recently exposed to anything new or out of the ordinary. After some questions, they will most likely swab your throat and possibly your nostrils to test for various infections such as influenza or coronaviruses.
They may also need to test your blood to help identify or rule out other infectious agents. If results from those tests are inconclusive, you could be referred to an allergist. Blood and skin tests can help identify foods or other substances that cause the reaction. If you are experiencing ongoing soreness or swelling in your uvula, you may want to speak to a doctor. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?
Download K to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at Christiana Care Health System. In addition to her work at K Health, Dr. Fowler is a practicing emergency medicine physician in Washington, DC.
By Chesney Fowler, MD. Medically reviewed. Table of contents What Is A Uvula? Why Is My Uvula Swollen? Table of contents. It can also be a reaction to an allergy or injury. Often the cause is not known. Your uvula may be red and swollen. You may feel like something is stuck at the back of your throat. Sometimes you may have a hard time swallowing.
You may have a sore throat or a fever. Home treatment for a sore throat may be all that is needed to relieve uvulitis. If it is caused by an infection, your doctor may give you an antibiotic. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or a steroid medicine if uvulitis is caused by an allergy.
It may also go away without treatment. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:.
0コメント