Stop taking blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and warfarin (Coumadin). At times, the mucous membrane around the uvula may swell, causing the uvula to expand 3–5 times its normal size. This condition is known as uvulitis. When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can cause sensations like gagging or choking, although there is no foreign matter present. This can cause problems with breathing, talking, and eating. Shu, M.D., Jennifer (April 12, 2010). "Will a bifid uvula cause any problems?". CNN . Retrieved 2010-08-07. Genetics: A cleft lip or cleft palate is a congenital trait that affects the roof of the mouth. This can cause the uvula to be enlarged, off place, split, shrunken, or even missing.

Certain environmental and lifestyle factors can lead to reactions that include a swollen uvula. These factors include: There are several factors that can lead to uvulitis. Some of the most common swollen uvula causes include:Uvula removal is done with a procedure called an uvulectomy. This removes all or part of the uvula. It’s usually done to treat snoring or some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A mixture of medical and home remedies can be employed to deal with a swollen uvula. Some solutions are more suited for swelling from certain causes more than others. Medication See your doctor if you think snoring might be the cause of your swollen uvula. Your doctor may want to do certain tests, like an X-ray or a sleep study, to observe your sleep. Your treatment will depend on various things, but you may be able to lessen your snoring if you:

If you test positive for an allergy, try to avoid the allergen in the future. Doctors usually treat allergies with antihistamines or steroids. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. Doctors use epinephrine to treat this reaction. Hereditary angioedema This is usually a sign that an anaphylactic reaction is occurring and requires immediate treatment. Administer an epinephrine shot (EpiPen) or seek emergency medical attention at once. Genetics When you have something like the common cold, swelling usually clears up on its own without treatment. Otherwise, treatment will depend on the cause. Usually, treating the underlying cause will resolve the uvulitis. Infection Yes. It’s totally possible to live without your uvula. While it may take some getting used to, most people don’t have trouble with speaking or swallowing after a uvulectomy. What if my uvula is touching my tongue?Loeys-Dietz Syndrom Foundation". Archived from the original on 5 August 2012 . Retrieved 25 March 2010. Biblo LA, Gilbert IA (May 1983). "Aphthous ulcer of the uvula and the painful burp". N. Engl. J. Med. 308 (19): 1168. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198305123081922. PMID 6835348. Some meds may cause swelling, either because of an allergic reaction or how they interact with your body. Glucosamine sulfate, a medication for joints, may cause a swollen uvula in some people. Even though NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen treat inflammation, they might cause swelling -- a rare condition called NSAID-induced angioedema. The uvula also plays a role in human speech, as it’s more or less essential to articulate a number of consonant sounds (called uvular consonants). The use of the uvula becomes highly prominent in certain languages, includingArabic, French, Hebrew etc.

In addition to a sore throat, a swollen uvula (called “uvulitis”) has several distinctive symptoms that can be easily recognized and reported to your doctor. In event of dry mouth, drinking water is the most obvious way to help keep everything properly lubricated. If the issue is not being caused by dryness, gargling salt water can help soothe inflammation in certain cases. Honey A dry mouth is actually the most common cause of uvulitis and results from persistent irritation. Anything capable of causing a persistent dry mouth, such as dehydration, is also capable of causing uvulitis by extension. Trauma

In fact, it turns out that the uvula is an important organ inside the mouth that, scientists believe, helps in a number of things. However, before we get to that, let’s start with the basics. Lathadevi HT, Karadi RN, Thobbi RV, et al. Isolated uvulitis: an uncommon but not rare clinical entity. Indian J. OHNS. 2005;57:139-140. The most obvious symptom (besides pain) is that visual inspection will reveal an inflamed, enlarged uvula. The swelling can cause certain specific problems over its duration, including: Bifid uvula is a common symptom of the rare genetic syndrome Loeys–Dietz syndrome, [9] which is associated with an increased risk of aortic aneurysm. [10] Function [ edit ] McMillan, Julia A.; Feigin, Ralph D.; DeAngelis, Catherine; Jones, M. Douglas (2006). Oski's pediatrics: principles & practice (4thed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.469. ISBN 978-0-7817-3894-1.