The uvula is the fleshy hanging bit in your throat and it has two main roles. The uvula's first function is to prevent bacteria from entering our bodies. Its second function is to aid speech. The inflammation of the uvula is not a very common condition and can be caused by many factors. Although is quite a harmless condition, it can cause a lot of discomfort to the person suffering it. If you are suffering from a cold or an allergy and your also notice your uvula swollen, read this oneHOWTO article and learn about all the ins and outs on how to treat a swollen uvula with home remedies.
Always take anti-inflammatories
Though there may be many good home remedies to treat a swollen uvula, at oneHOWTO we advise you to combine them with common anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen. This will help reduce the pain and inflammation so that you feel much better.
Gargle with salt
Twice daily, gargle with some warm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it. Thanks the high content in iodine, salt is a good anti-inflammatory. Moreover, it will also help control any infections that can appear while your uvula is swollen.
Tea and honey
An important step is to always keep hydrated. Why? Because if the uvula is swollen and irritated, you will continuously feel that your uvula is dry. By not drinking enough liquid, you'll make the problem worse. It is therefore important to drink warm teas, especially tea with a spoonful of honey, as honey has antimicrobial properties that will help you reduce the swelling throat fast. Remember to drink at least two liters of water per day.
Known herbal remedies
Some home remedies like using belladonna or wormwood, are particularly good to relieve certain throat problems, such as the symptoms of uvula inflammation and irritation. This plant has been used since the Middle ages for pain relief and for cosmetic purposes. However, eating just a few berries of the belladonna plant can be lethal to humans. In a herbalist's, you will be able to find more information about this.
This is why we strongly advise you to use other home remedies. The first and most effective is to drink a glass of onion juice. Though it may sound a bit disgusting, the antiseptic properties of onion will help reduce possible infection. The same properties apply to garlic, which is the reason why you can easily crush some garlic and swallow it to reduce redness.
Find the source of the problem
If the symptoms of your swollen uvula are due to an allergic reaction, it is important to pinpoint what has caused the allergic reaction and take antihistamines to control the problem. You should visit your doctor if you think your swollen uvula is caused by an allergic reaction.
Precautions
While your uvula is swollen, it is important not to smoke, shout or raise your voice too much. You should also keep your neck protected from the cold, as sudden changes in temperature could worsen the problem.
Always visit a specialis
If your uvula is still swollen, red, inflamed and irritated after three days of home remedy treatments; if you are in a lot of pain and have problems swallowing; or if you have noticed white marks that look a bit like pus, then you should go to see your physician or an ENT specialist. When the uvula is infected, you may need antibiotics or steroids that only a doctor can prescribe. Take a look at the reasons why you have a swollen uvula to pinpoint the possible cause.
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 How to Treat a Swollen Uvula with Home Remedies, we recommend you visit our Family health category.
- Honey and garlic are two useful ingredients that can help relieve pain and fight any possible infections.