Before learning what your uvula does, it's good to understand where the uvula is located and what surrounds it. It falls within your mouth's palate. Your hard palate is at the front of your mouth, consisting of a more bony structure, while the fleshier part in the back of the oral cavity is the soft palate.
There you'll find your uvula or palatine uvula. It's a fleshy teardrop-shaped piece of tissue that hangs at the end of your soft palate near your throat or pharynx.
You've learned where the uvula is situated. Now to its function. Years ago, before modern science, many thought the uvula didn't serve a purpose. That has since been debunked.
So what does the uvula do? Many parts of your body and mouth can become inflamed, and your uvula is no exception. Usually, the inflammation is due to an infection. Other possible causes could be a throat injury, allergic reaction, ingesting certain chemicals, or smoking.
Your doctor may treat your uvulitis with antibiotics for an infection, steroids for swelling, or antihistamines for allergies.
At home, you should also:. If symptoms don't cease, it could be strep throat. While it's most common in children, adults can still contract strep as well. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and red tonsils. See your doctor if pain or discomfort persists for more than a few days. While your uvula assists you with many essential functions, it can also be an accomplice in snoring. Your soft palate muscles, tongue, and throat relax when you transition to deep sleep.
When your throat muscles relax too much, they can block your airway, creating an audible vibration, or snoring. But snoring could be a sign of a more significant issue — obstructive sleep apnea OSA. 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. If the skin or lips become blue, purple, or gray, or if the person becomes unresponsive, faints, or has a seizure, someone should call immediately. Doctors will typically prescribe an antibiotic if it is a bacterial infection.
Steroids can also help to reduce the swelling, pain, and redness. In the case of an allergic reaction, an antihistamine may be used to reduce itching and help with breathing. People with uvulitis usually make a full recovery quickly with a combination of home remedies and medication.
While recovering from uvulitis, it is important for people to stay away from any allergens as well as stopping smoking and drinking. Around 45 percent of adults snore at least occasionally, with 25 percent snoring constantly. While bleeding after tonsillectomy can be normal, there are some instances when you should be concerned.
Seek immediate care if you or your child has…. Tonsillectomy scabs develop on former tonsil tissue shortly following surgery. They usually fall off 7 to 10 days after surgery. We explain what to…. Researchers say children who undergo tonsillectomies have a higher risk of asthma and respiratory infections as adults. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Uvula Removal Surgery. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.
Why might it have to be removed? Do I need to prepare for uvula removal? What happens during surgery? What happens after the procedure? Does uvula removal have any side effects? How long does it take to recover? The bottom line.
Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Sleep Disorders. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. Medically reviewed by Steve Kim, MD. Is Bleeding After Tonsillectomy Normal?
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