What Does A Swollen Uvula Mean?
The Uvula is located at the back of the throat right behind the tongue. If you open your mouth wide, you can see it as a grape-like or bell like flesh hanging from the roof of the throat. The Uvula serves the purpose of filtering out bacteria that may enter the body through the mouth. It plays a role in speech and even capable of producing saliva. It is made of highly connective tissues; both muscular and glandular. There are many reasons why your uvula may be swollen, therefore, at oneHOWTO we'd like to tell you what a swollen uvula means.
Contents
Why Is It Swollen?
The uvula can be swollen either due to infection or due to physical trauma. In medical terms, this condition is referred to as Uvulitis.
Infection is very common both in children and adults when suffering from cold/ flu/ influenza. Infection due to bacteria is also possible because of a dry throat. It can happen due to dehydration or breathing through the mouth when sleeping.
Allergic reactions to certain foods or medicine also cause a swollen Uvula. Such reactions are usually very quick and will require emergency medical attention as it can further complicate matters in no time.
A very rare genetic condition called Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema (HANE) also causes Uvulitis. This condition causes swelling in different parts of the body including the mouth and throat.
Other reasons could be infection due to hot food and beverages causing uvula to burn, alcohol abuse, moth ulcers or respiratory tract infections.
Effects Of A Swollen Uvula
A swollen Uvula can be very uncomfortable. One would experience difficulty in swallowing with complaints of pain in the area. In more severe cases, it may cause breathing problems, inability to talk, headache, high fever, pus formation in the throat and sometimes choking too.
Remedies
In less severe cases, few home remedies do work pretty effectively. For example, if dehydration is the culprit, increase your fluid intake considerably. Gargling with warm water provides instant relief to a sore throat. Consumption of honey is considered useful to treat a swollen uvula. More serious cases of swelling and discomfort call for medical intervention. Your doctor will be able to prescribe you Antibiotics or steroids if need be. Throat sprays and painkillers will also provide temporary relief.
For more on remedies for treating swollen Uvula read our article on home remedies for a swollen uvula.
In most cases Uvilitis is a direct after effect of a common cold. Do take proper remedial actions medical or otherwise to contain the situation. Extremely rare conditions also call for surgery for removal of the uvula.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to What Does A Swollen Uvula Mean?, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
