Can A Torn Uvula Be Repaired

Dr. Suresh Kumar lives in India and enjoys writing most medical topics.

A bloated uvula (the technical term is uvulitis) is a rare status that is most ofttimes associated with strep pharynx, though information technology tin also be acquired by other factors.

An inflamed uvula can nifty to many times its normal size and can touch on both children and adults, regardless of gender, race, or any other factor. The swelling is usually not a serious or life-threatening condition, but it tin be annoying and uncomfortable.

Uvulitis is commonly caused by lifestyle factors, bacterial or viral infection, or concrete trauma. Normally, the issue resolves itself within a day or and then.

Often, you can treat this condition at domicile by:

• Drinking plenty of fluids (at least 8 8-oz glasses of water per day)
• Using pharynx lozenges or throat spray to numb the pain
• Gargling with salt h2o (add together 1 tsp salt to 1 quart warm h2o and gargle several times daily)
• Chewing or sucking on ice chips to help relieve swelling
• Getting plenty of rest

Run across a doctor immediately if:

• You cannot breathe
• You cannot move your cervix or open your mouth
• You lot have a fever and abdominal hurting
• Your symptoms are worsening even afterwards treatment

What Is a Uvula?

The uvula is sometimes mistaken for a tonsil, but tonsils are really something else entirely. The palatine tonsils are lymphatic tissue masses that are located on either side of the dorsum of the throat.

A uvula, on the other hand, is the dangling flesh resembling a punching purse at the back of the throat. Muscle fibers, soft connective tissues, and a few recamose glands brand up the fleshy lobe, which plays multiple roles.

What Does the Uvula Do?

Homo Voice	The uvula works with the dorsum of the throat and the palate to articulate sounds.
Throat Lubrication	It is theorized that the uvula'southward sparse saliva secretions help proceed the throat lubricated.
Choking Prevention	During swallowing, the soft palate and the uvula piece of work together to forbid food, water, and other strange objects from entering the nasal cavity and potentially obstructing the breathing procedure.

Medical Removal of the Uvula

The fact that the uvula protects and helps with sound joint more often than not makes it inadvisable to remove information technology—unless it is severely inflamed or significantly damaged (equally in the case of malignancy).

Removing the uvula tin can bear upon the quality of the patient's speech and audio production. In addition, saliva production may exist affected; dry throat is a common complexity.

Swollen Uvula Pictures

Symptoms of Uvulitis

The extent of the swelling can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms can also differ from 1 person to some other, depending on the crusade and severity.

Symptoms include:

A gagging or choking awareness due to the enlargement of the uvula that may take touched the natural language. This tin sometimes result in vomiting.

Difficulty swallowing foods and liquids, sometimes accompanied with pain.

Pain in the throat, similar to that of a sore throat.

A tickling, itching sensation in the throat that results in coughing.

Hoarseness or a modify in the sound of ane's vox.

Excessive drooling.

Inflammation and redness of the throat.

Fever.

Headache.

Spots on your throat.

Causes of Uvulitis

This status usually resolves itself within a few days, depending on its underlying cause. The almost common causes include:

Infections, including strep throat and tonsillitis, are the most common causes among children.

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Allergic reactions can cause swelling. If the throat is also swelling, it may fifty-fifty be a sign of an anaphylactic reaction, which is potentially life-threatening and requires firsthand emergency attention. While various allergies can cause the swelling, nutrient allergies are the most common.

Trauma to the uvula may seem unusual, but it tin can happen. Ane example of how such trauma tin occur is during medical procedures meant to facilitate breathing—for instance, during intubation.

Acid Reflux Disorder can influence the edema of the uvula. The tummy acid being thrown dorsum into the esophagus every bit a result of the reflux can achieve the uvula, causing irritation and swelling.

Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema has besides been implicated in the onset of a bloated uvula. It is a rare genetic disorder characterized past rapid swelling of the dissimilar parts of the body, which may also trigger the swelling in the uvula.

Other causes of a swollen uvula include the post-obit:

• Oral aridity
• Excessive smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Common colds
• Exposure to extremes in atmospheric condition condition and environment
• Incidence of aphthous ulcers or herpes sores

Dr. Oller Explains Uvulitis

Treatment of Uvulitis

Mild swelling of the uvula normally resolves on its own within a few days, without the need for treatment.

Handling for astringent and chronic swelling depends on the underlying condition. Antibiotics may be required when the status is caused by an infection. The selection of the specific antibody, likewise as the dosage, will depend on the infectious agent that is causing the swelling.

Steroid handling may be prescribed to reduce the inflammation, hurting, and redness caused by an allergic reaction. Itchiness may be relieved with antihistamine medications.

Domicile Remedies

Simple remedies may besides manage balmy swelling of the uvula without the demand for medication. Such remedies include:

• Gargling of lukewarm saline water will help reduce swelling. Add 1 tsp of table salt to i quart of lukewarm h2o, and gargle several times a day.
• Chewing ice fries can help relieve swelling and irritation.
• Increasing fluid intake, or drinking ten-12 glasses of h2o a day, will hydrate and help reduce swelling.

When to Seek Medical Attending or Return to the Doctor

Encounter your doctor if you:

• Accept worsening symptoms despite treatment
• Develop new symptoms
• Have trouble opening your rima oris or turning your caput
• If your voice becomes deadened (what'southward chosen a hot potato vocalism)
• If yous cannot exhale

Important annotation: This information does not supplant that of your physician. Follow all of their instructions, including return visits as recommended.

Sources Consulted

• Dorsum, One thousand.W., Nadig, S., Uppal, S., Coatesworth, A.P. "Why practice we have a uvula? Literature review and a new theory." Clinical Otolaryngology. Wiley Online Library. Nov 4, 2004.
• Garikiparithi, Mohan. "Swollen uvula causes and symptoms, treating uvulitis with natural dwelling house remedies." Belmarra Wellness. April 19, 2022.
• Hayes, Kristin, RN (reviewed by a board-certified physician). "What Causes a Swollen Uvula? 5 Reasons You May Feel a Swollen Uvula." Verywell. Updated January nine, 2022.
• Pietrangelo, Ann (medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, MD). "What Causes a Bloated Uvula?" Healthline. June 13, 2022.

This content is accurate and true to the all-time of the author's knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, handling, prescription, and/or dietary communication from a licensed wellness professional person. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may accept unsafe side furnishings. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual ground. Seek immediate help if you lot are experiencing a medical emergency.

Robert Broussard on March 22, 2022:

I have had a scratchy throat and a continual sensation of having to articulate my throat. I looked at my throat and noticed my uvula elongated and hanging long downwards on the back of my tongue. It is not comfy to talk some. I have been washing my mouth out with table salt water. Also I read to potable water with turmeric to reduce the inflammation. But I am not sure if it has done much skillful. Anyone accept any other advice? I take ordered some Uvulin to endeavor.

biteme2 on May 17, 2022:

woke up this morning time with my uvula swollen first fourth dimension in xx years. information technology happened usually when camping upstate NY. just affair I did different before this happened is I slept with with the windows open.

when it happens to me I cant talk because talking makes me gag. also my tonsils are swollen. hot liquids help reduce the swelling in about 2 to iii hours. Assistance I tin simply jiff through my nose. painful swallowing too. I hate when this happens.

Juan Vargas on May 06, 2022:

I woke upwardly at 5 am and my uvula was literally every bit big as my tongue went to er got steroids and antibiotics! I went down but still really swollen tin anybody assistance me how long does it take to go dorsum to its normal size

Noah on Feb 13, 2022:

Faye I am having the aforementioned thing. Did you cure it? If you did, how? This morning I wasn't able to eat. I got up and had some water, and I fixed that, just I looked in my oral cavity, and I saw my uvula on my natural language! I had mouthwash, menthol crystals, and salt water, but it didn't help. Nearly every 10 seconds I have to consume so it doesn't come dorsum upwardly! I think it'due south stuck in between my tongue and the dorsum of my pharynx but information technology won't go downwardly. Aid!

Faye on May 31, 2022:

In the by 4 days, I thought that this thing that keeps bugging my pharynx is just because of my cough and colds. Only last night, I just can't stand up information technology considering it is just and then abrasive!! When I checked it this morning, I saw my uvula touching my tongue. It'south non swollen unlike the others. What practice I do? I really hate this feeling!! It feels like there is something that'south stuck in my pharynx!! Argh!!

Rafael on December 27, 2022:

One of the reasons why our uvula got longer is because over affluence of alcohol. Especially when you wake up and forget to drink water.

Fred on December 22, 2022:

My uvula is hanging by my tongue and downwardly into my throat if I'thou laying on my back information technology feels like the roof of my oral cavity is falling and if I'm not elevated stops me from animate. It'south not sore really and doesn't consequence my swallowing. It'southward but become extremely long. What should I practise? Should I exist concerned? My dr. Saw me yesterday and said that the cortisone injections I received in my knees may aid . Simply because it doesn't cease me from swallowing I needn't exist concerned. However if it does bother me I could have information technology snipped. I don't similar the idea of surgery. I had sinus surgery and ever since my throat has drier than ever and I have lost long use of my voice and then I can no longer sing or exercise my job in a phone center. I have been off work for 2 years now because my voice won't hold out for a shift on the phone . Could my uvula have anything to exercise with this issue? Should I take it snipped?

Sandy on December 18, 2022:

I've been sick all week with a common cold, so I thought it was sinus infection. Today I woke upwardly and couldn't swallow. Went to patients first... my uvula is very swallon and I have strep

alexis on December 09, 2022:

im fourteen years onetime and my uvula is swollen and it does hurt to swallow, but its not as bad as touching my tonuge or teeth, but it hurts really bad and it bothers my throat. it also feels similar it would fall off..

Sav on October 27, 2022:

I'k 27 years old I had mine removed a few years back I had the rare case where mine wouldn't shrink down and removing information technology actually worsened my animate and snoring. I could catch mine in my teeth. Also removing it doesn't mean it cant occur again mine has actually grew slightly back and I've had an instance recently where it swollen to the point affected speech and swallowing again if anyone has information why is greatly capeesh information technology could information technology be maybe more than than simply a rare case or fluke possibly throat cancer?

Mark on June 19, 2022:

I would also add together that drinking anything with turmeric is extremely helpful for uvulitis and a product chosen uvulin (http://uvulin.com) is fabricated specifically for this purpose. Finally, try to stay away from annihilation besides hot or as well cold because the mucosal tissue in the soft palate is sensitive to temperature extremes.

Matt on August nineteen, 2022:

Had this problem a few times later a night of heavy drinking and heavy smoking honestly both times I drank water and ate hot wings with a little ranch dressing and I swear subsequently eating the hot wings it deflates in an hour if not instantly

Arn on July 26, 2022:

Ieea, go to the dr. ASAP

leea on June 22, 2022:

Delight assistance

Hi im 20 years sometime and got a big lumpp on the right side wich ive noww had a few months the sorounding areas are reddish like in the pictures to a higher place the mindle scrap always sticks to it and it looks and feels as though its growing bigger and going down my throught its not irritable but when i bend over i can feel it and besides if i swallow the back of my throught has been swollen and red for over six months and the lump has been at that place near iii that i know of... is it normal?? Im pretty worried im trying to get over my anxiety and this deffenetly dosnt help!!

Tarrin Lupo from Peterborough NH on January 21, 2022:

I was wondering if I take this going on, good info, ty.

Source: https://youmemindbody.com/oral-health/Swollen-Uvula

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