Swollen Uvula – Learning the Details!
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The uvula is a small cone-shaped mass of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate, near the back of the throat. The word 'uvula' is derived from the diminutive... |
What Is Uvula?
The uvula is a small cone-shaped mass of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate, near the back of the throat. The word 'uvula' is derived from the diminutive of uva, the Latin word for "grape", due to the uvula's grape-like shape. The uvula plays an essential role in the creation of the sound of the human voice. It functions in tandem with the back of the throat, the palate, and air coming up from the lungs for creating a number of guttural and other sounds. The uvula also contributes to snoring – having an elongated uvula can lead to vibrations which lead to the snoring. In some cases this can lead to sleep apnea, which can be treated by removal of the uvula or part of the uvula if necessary.
During swallowing, the soft palate and the uvula move superiorly to close off the nasopharynx, thus preventing food from entering into the nasal cavity. Splitting of the uvula occurs infrequently but is one of the most common form of mouth and nose area cleavage among newborns with nearly 2% of infants have this bifid or split uvula.
Learning about Swollen Uvula
Swollen Uvula is a condition where the mucous membrane around the uvula may swell, causing the uvula to expand 3-5 times its normal size. When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can lead to sensations like gagging or choking, even though there is no foreign matter present. This can develop problems in breathing, talking, and eating.
There are many theories about what causes the swelling in uvula. This includes dehydration (from arid weather and/or alcohol), excessive smoking or other inhaled irritants, snoring, allergic reaction or a viral or bacterial infection.
If the swelling has been caused by dehydration, drinking of plenty of fluids is advised. If the cause is a bacterial infection, gargling with iodized salt water may help you as the iodine in the salt will help to cleanse the infection.
It is important to note that a swollen uvula in normal conditions is not life-threatening and subsides in a short time, typically within a day. However, it some cases it can also be a sign of other problems. If the swelling does not subside at all within 8-12 hours, and if it's accompanied by other symptoms like fever or pain, it is best to get it checked by your health care provider.
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