Have you ever woken up one morning with an enlarged uvula
This is a very common situation that is called ugolite , that is, it is an inflammation of the uvula and consists precisely in perceiving the uvula, palate and throat enlarged and swollen .
But what causes the inflamed uvula
What are the most common symptoms
What should be done in these cases
What are the most effective remedies
Today we will answer all your questions on the subject, hoping to provide you with an exhaustive guide to the problem that is afflicting you.
What is the uvula
What is it for
Before going to talk about the central topic of our article, that is the swollen and inflamed uvula , it is necessary to understand well what the uvula is and, above all, what it is for.
You will probably know the uvula by its vulgar name, ie “bell” or “campanella”. In fact, its shape resembles that of a bell. It is a very small organ that is located at the bottom of our oral cavity and has very important functions.
Among the main functions of the uvula we find the following:
- Prevents foreign bodies such as bacteria from moving beyond the throat;
- Producing large quantities of saliva, the uvula is essential for lubricating the throat (in fact, many people who have had their uvula removed have reported some dry mouth);
- It deals with the drainage of mucus, preventing it from going into the nose;
- Prevents choking. In fact, if touched, the uvula causes retching which serves above all to prevent the respiratory tract from becoming blocked. Similarly, the uvula serves to cause gastric reflux;
- It is important to make sure that the voice is not overly nasal. In fact, as an accessory organ of language, the uvula is also fundamental to favor the production of some sounds (for example in the case of the Arabic language);
- Contributes to the immunity of our organism;
- It prevents choking, for example by preventing food from entering the airways.
Why the uvula becomes inflamed
The uvula can undergo an inflammatory state due to the presence of various factors. For example, due to an allergic reaction , or due to trauma , irritation or excessive dehydration.
The uvula can also become inflamed as a consequence of the presence of an infection in the mouth, for example due to an excess of bacteria or viruses in our oral cavity.
Gastric juices also play a fundamental role in the appearance of the inflamed uvula . In fact, when we suffer from gastric reflux, the probability that the uvula becomes inflamed increases precisely due to the irritation generated by these juices.
As for trauma , it must be remembered that even a simple endoscopy can have repercussions on the uvula, favoring inflammation, especially due to the passage of the small tube that is used to carry out this type of examination.
As we said, dehydration may also have caused inflammation, and therefore swelling, of the uvula . In fact, if we tend to sleep with our mouths open, this organ will tend to dry out and, therefore, could become inflamed due to the absence of saliva.
Another condition that can cause inflammation in the uvula is that you no longer have tonsils due to a tonsillectomy you would have previously undergone.
In fact, after undergoing a tonsillectomy, the uvula can become inflamed and give rise to problems in swallowing, however you have no reason to worry because it is mainly a direct consequence of the surgery that happens frequently.
What are the symptoms of inflamed uvula
As regards, instead, the symptomatic picture of this condition, we find above all the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the uvula
- Redness;
- Itching in the uvula (or in the throat in general);
- The feeling of having something in the throat;
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Irritation;
- Breathing problems
- Excessive salivation;
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen tonsils (when they have not been removed)
- Fever.
These symptoms, in the most serious cases, can also limit the simplest daily actions, especially when there is a leak of blood from the goal a, or when you almost completely lose your voice.
What are the most effective remedies for inflamed uvula
In general, it is rare that inflammation in the uvula gets worse and requires medical attention, as long as it was not caused by allergies or other more serious problems .
If ugolitis ( inflammation of the uvula ) results from a recent tonsillectomy, we advise you not to ingest solid food at least in the first few days following the surgery.
In fact, it would be better to eat pureed or soft foods in these cases, so as to keep the throat clean and avoid the risk of infections.
In milder cases of ugolite you can also resort to simple home remedies, for example always keeping the oral cavity well hydrated (therefore drinking plenty of water) and thus avoiding having to resort to taking drugs.
Among the home remedies and, therefore, natural, most effective to cure the swollen and inflamed uvula , you can consider the following:
- Eat eucalyptus-based candies, which are especially effective for relieving painful symptoms.
- Keep your throat warm with a headscarf or scarf;
- Gargle frequently with a glass of warm water and salt (baking soda is also fine in these cases to disinfect the area);
- Take hot herbal teas, possibly sweetened with honey and not with sugar as honey has excellent antibiotic properties, very useful for relieving the inflammatory state in progress;
- Use Artemisia Vulgaris or Belladonna, one hundred percent natural products that are effective above all for combating inflammation of the oral cavity, including that affecting the uvula;
- Avoid smoking and raising your voice too much.
Generally it is a condition that resolves itself in an absolutely autonomous way, within a few days, usually three days or a little more.
However, if after three or four days the problem persists and you have serious difficulty swallowing, you should contact your family doctor.
If your doctor deems it necessary, he will prescribe a drug treatment and, if the situation is not serious, will only advise you to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, in order to speed up the healing process.
If, on the other hand, the situation is serious (for example, there are blood or pus leaks), an infectious state may be in progress and to eradicate it the doctor will certainly prescribe specific antibiotics.
Finally, if the inflammation of the uvula was caused by an allergy, it will be advisable to take antihistamines to solve the problem, always after asking your doctor for an opinion, especially regarding the dosage and type of antihistamine you is for you.
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