Why does your uvula get swollen

Most of the time it clears up without treatment. Sometimes the swelling can be treated with a home remedy. However, sometimes uvulitis is caused by a medical condition that needs to be treated. They can help you find the cause and appropriate treatment for your uvulitis and may be able to offer tips on how to prevent it from happening again.

Snoring may disrupt your sleep, or that of your partner. Even if it's not bothering you too much, it's not a condition to ignore. There are many conditions that can cause white spots on your throat. Learn more about causes and how you can treat this symptom. Tonsillitis can be caused by various viruses or bacteria. Strep throat is only caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Swallowing difficulty is the inability to swallow foods or liquids with ease. People who have a hard time swallowing may choke on their food or liquid….

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which are located in the back of your throat. Sometimes they can become infected. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Uvulitis: Causes and Treatment for Swollen Uvula. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Symptoms of uvulitis. What causes a swollen uvula? Risk factors for a swollen uvula. Home remedies for a swollen uvula.

Diagnosing the cause of uvulitis. Meanwhile, other medications can cause a dry mouth by reducing saliva secretion, says Dr. These include antidepressants and treatments for overactive bladder. Cancer of the oropharynx very back of the throat may start at the uvula. The primary cause is the human papillomavirus HPV. Any part of the uvula that swells and grows slowly could indicate a benign or malignant tumor.

You may also experience the sensation of a lump in your throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, or food or liquid backing up into your nose. Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention. For added fun, follow us on Instagram. Weight Loss. Type keyword s to search.

Today's Top Stories. An elongated uvula is a hereditary trait. Though it may not swell, it can cause similar symptoms due to the size. Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic condition that causes swelling throughout the body, and it can affect the uvula. Too much smoking and alcohol can also lead to mouth irritation, which can result in uvulitis.

Breathing in chemicals can also cause swelling. Some people may experience some swelling in their uvula after surgery. General anesthesia can cause irritation and a swollen uvula. Trauma from tubes inserted into the throat can also lead to uvulitis. Mild cases of uvulitis can often be treated at home. There are a few home remedies that can be used to treat the problem. People with a swollen uvula are advised to do the following:. Home remedies coupled with over-the-counter pain-relief medications can usually clear up a swollen uvula in a couple of days.

If the symptoms do not seem to be getting better or appear to be getting worse, it is important for people to see a doctor right away. In the event of an allergic reaction, people should always seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

To help pinpoint the exact cause, imaging tests may be done. If the doctor feels that the swollen uvula may be due to an infection of some type, throat swabs or blood samples may be taken.

Doctors can often spot uvulitis after an examination, but a blood test, culture or X-rays may be ordered to confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, the exact cause of uvulitis may not be identified. As the uvula becomes infected, it will inflame and swell. Both bacterial and viral infections are capable of causing uvulitis, including strep throat, mononucleosis, or respiratory tract infections.

A swollen epiglottis is especially dangerous in children since it can block the airway. A child with a swollen uvula should be evaluated by a doctor in order to rule out this risk.

Allergic reactions can trigger a rapid fluid buildup in parts of the throat and mouth, leading to swelling. If the reaction is severe enough, the fluid edema can spread into the uvula and make it swell.

This is usually a sign that an anaphylactic reaction is occurring and requires immediate treatment. Administer an epinephrine shot EpiPen or seek emergency medical attention at once. A cleft lip or cleft palate is a type of congenital trait which affects the roof of the mouth. This can result in changes to the uvula such as it being enlarged, off-place, shrunken, or missing altogether.

An elongated uvula is also hereditary and although this is not swelling per se, it can cause many of the same symptoms due to its size. There is also a rare genetic condition called hereditary angioedema that causes swelling in various parts of the body and can sometimes affect the uvula.