What makes your uvula swell

Often the cause is not known. Your uvula may be red and swollen. You may feel like something is stuck at the back of your throat.

Sometimes you may have a hard time swallowing. You may have a sore throat or a fever. Home treatment for a sore throat may be all that is needed to relieve uvulitis. If it is caused by an infection, your doctor may give you an antibiotic. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or a steroid medicine if uvulitis is caused by an allergy. It may also go away without treatment. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.

It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:. Enter Z in the search box to learn more about "Uvulitis: Care Instructions". Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Isolated uvulitis: An uncommon but not a rare clinical entity. The relationship of the uvula with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review. Sleep and Breathing. Guerra, AM, M.

StatPearls Publishing. Updated November 15, Anaphylaxis: recognition and management. Am Fam Physician. Uvulitis following general anaesthesia. Case Reports. Razi Journal of Medical Sciences. Sleep Breath. University of Utah. Updated July 16, Woods, CR. Clinical Features and Treatment of Uvulitis.

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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Understanding Uvulectomies. In the meantime, supportive care can be helpful in soothing the area as it heals, says Dr.

Mehdizadeh, such as salt water gargles and lozenges. Allergic reactions are a relatively common cause of throat swelling in general, but sometimes the uvula can be affected alone. You may be able to ease your symptoms by taking antihistamines.

The most common bacterial infection affecting the throat is strep throat , which can irritate the uvula and cause swelling. Tonsillitis usually affects both tonsils, but can result in uvula swelling because of the infection and inflammation.

There are several viral infections that can affect the throat and uvula, many of which also cause cold symptoms runny nose , cough, laryngitis. Morrison recommends getting lots of rest, eating healthy foods, and drinking plenty of fluids.

Lozenges and ice chips can also help soothe the area in the meantime. Any medication can cause an allergic reaction, says Dr. Zalvan, but some medications can cause them more often, such as ACE inhibitors a blood pressure medication. Whether you are treating a swollen uvula with home remedies or you plan to see a doctor, you should ask yourself the following questions:. Sometimes, answering these questions can help you determine the cause without seeking additional medical assistance.

If you believe your swollen uvula is the result of an allergic reaction to food or medication, you should see a doctor right away. While it may require a visit to the doctor, there are several home remedies you can try to bring you relief:. Home remedies combined with over-the-counter pain relief medications can usually help resolve symptoms in a couple of days. If you do not see an improvement, or if you are experiencing additional symptoms, you should speak with a doctor.

Once a doctor has determined the cause, they may prescribe one of the following:. It is difficult to avoid the occasional swollen uvula, especially when the symptom is related to an illness like the common cold, but there are a few preventative measures you can take when it comes to your lifestyle and existing conditions.

In most other cases, a swollen uvula or uvulitis is not fully preventable, but will likely clear up on its own. Anyone can get uvulitis, although adults get it less often than children do. You are at increased risk if you:.

These risk factors can most likely lead to further complications beyond a swollen uvula. If swelling of the uvula is severe and goes untreated, it may cause choking and restrict your breathing. If you have a large uvula that interferes with sleeping or breathing, your doctor may recommend a uvulectomy. This procedure removes all or part of the uvula and is usually done to treat snoring or symptoms of sleep apnea.

It only takes a few minutes, and recovery is fairly quick. While a swollen uvula generally resolves with time and with home remedies, professional medical treatment may be required.

A doctor will help determine the cause of your swollen uvula to recommend a proper course of treatment.