Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
A swollenuvula, also known asuvulitis, occurs when the uvula (the bell-shaped organ hanging from your soft palate at the back of the mouth) becomes inflamed. This can happen because of an infection, allergic reaction, irritation, or illness.
Uvulitis can usually be treated with at-home remedies or medication. In rare cases, conditions that make your uvula swollen are serious, like a life-threatening infection or evenoral cancer.
This article discusses the symptoms of a swollen uvula and the conditions that cause it. It also explains how your healthcare provider can diagnose and treat a swollen uvula.
What Are Symptoms of a Swollen Uvula?
A swollen uvula, which is an uncommon disorder, may cause a variety of symptoms based upon the inflammation at and around the uvula. Symptoms associated with a swollen uvula may include:
You may also experience difficulty with breathing or talking, and snoring with your respirations.
The uvula contains manysalivary glands, helping to keep the airway moist, and plays a role in speech and the sounds of snoring.Though the purpose of the uvula is not well understood, it helps prevent food and drink from entering your nasal passages. Swelling of the uvula without inflammation of other tissues and structures around the uvula is very rare.
What Causes Uvula Swelling?
Infections
Infections of the throat may cause other tissues, and subsequently, the uvula, to swell. The kind of infection that causes uvulitis may be bacterial or viral and may include:
Withepiglottitis, the infection leads to swelling of the epiglottis (a small flap of tissue attached to the end of the tongue) and surrounding structures, and can rapidly lead to breathing problems.If your healthcare provider suspects epiglottitis, they will not swab your throat because that could lead to loss of the airway.
Instead, you’ll be sent to the emergency room immediately to ensure that they can protect your airway and place a breathing tube if needed. If you are able to tolerate a computerized tomography (CT) scan, they may perform this to help diagnose epiglottitis.
Epiglottitis is a rare and dangerous condition that was far more likely in children than adults before theHaemophilus influenzaetype B (HiB) vaccine was routinely given to infants.
In order to determine how to treat your swollen uvula when epiglottitis is not suspected, your healthcare provider will swab your uvula and send the sample for culture. If the cause is bacterial, your healthcare provider can treat you with antibiotics.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and vaccination status (in children), your healthcare provider may either prescribe oral antibiotics or IV antibiotics. If the culture is negative, then the cause is likely viral and antibiotics will not help.
What Are the Symptoms of an Infection?
Allergic Reactions
Individuals who experience rapid swelling of the mouth and throat should go to the nearest emergency room to get a shot of epinephrine. Some individuals who have experienced this kind of allergic reaction may carry anEpi injection devicewith them. You may also be treated with an inhaled version of epinephrine calledracemic epinephrine.
Anaphylaxis
Trauma
Complications from intubation are rare.Generally, in the case of trauma, sucking on ice chips or using local anesthetics will help manage your symptoms.
Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema
The swelling will differentiate from many other causes of a swollen uvula, because your uvula will not beerythematous(red), but will be white and swollen like a grape. Most people with this disorder experience their first attack during childhood.
Cancer
Cancer can affect the uvula, although it is relatively rare and occurs in just 1.3% oforopharyngealcancers(cancers of the mouth). Some researchers find a higher risk in people assigned male at birth and people with a smoking history.Human papillomavirusalso is linked to an increased risk of oral and nasal cancers.
A swollen uvula can be a sign of cancer, so contact your healthcare provider to have it checked out. Cancer in the uvula also may occur with symptoms of a chronic sore throat, cough, and difficulty swallowing.
Other Genetic Conditions
Certain genetic conditions may cause abnormalities of the uvula.Cleft lip/palateis a condition that affects the roof of the mouth (palate), causing the uvula to be absent or have other abnormalities.
It’s also possible to inherit an elongated uvula; an enlarged or elongated uvula that’s inherited is not truly the same as a swollen uvula, though it can cause similar symptoms. If symptoms are troublesome, the uvula may have to besurgically removed.
Can Uvulitis Cause Death?Uvulitis alone is unlikely to be fatal. However, it can be life-threatening when it’s associated with epiglottitis or if an anaphylactic allergic reaction is the cause of the swelling.
Can Uvulitis Cause Death?
Uvulitis alone is unlikely to be fatal. However, it can be life-threatening when it’s associated with epiglottitis or if an anaphylactic allergic reaction is the cause of the swelling.
How Is a Swollen Uvula Treated?
Treatment of a swollen uvula will vary based on the causes discussed above.
Oral steroids may also be prescribed as a treatment for a swollen uvula of infectious or non-infectious etiology (origin). It can help to drink lots of fluids.
A swollen uvula may play a role in obstructivesleep apnea.Some individuals with sleep apnea undergouvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP), surgery to have the uvula removed.
This surgery, also called uvulectomy, is often combined with a base of tongue procedure or a procedure to pull the tongue forward to increase its efficacy.
With proper treatment, you’ll usually recover from a swollen uvula without any long-lasting effects. Minor swelling of the uvula may go away on its own without medical treatment.
Summary
Some conditions that make your uvula swollen can be more serious, including epiglottitis or a severe allergic reaction. If you can’t swallow or talk, or you have difficulty breathing, you should go to the nearest emergency room.
In some cases, a swollen uvula can play a role in a chronic condition like obstructive sleep apnea. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions about your uvula.
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