Acute Uvulitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

The uvula is the soft flap of tissue that hangs down from the back of the mouth or at the edge of the soft palate (the muscular back of the roof of the mouth). It is made of saliva-producing glands, thin connective tissue, and small muscle fibers. It secrets copious amounts of saliva to keep the throat moist and lubricated. It also helps in preventing food and fluids from entering the nose while eating. It prevents choking when large amounts of food or large objects pass down the throat by triggering a gag reflex (involuntary reflex involving contraction of pharyngeal muscles and soft palate elevation). Uvula also has a role in snoring. When a person snores, the uvula vibrates. If a person has a large or long uvula, it can vibrate enough to make a person snore. Approximately 50 percent of adults snore, potentially causing poor sleep. This was all about uvula; read the article further to know about uvulitis.

What Is Acute Uvulitis?

Acute uvulitis, also known as the swollen uvula, is the inflammation of the uvula. It is usually temporary but can be irritating. If the swelling is severe, it can cause difficulty in swallowing. Rarely it can also restrict breathing. Uvulitis is generally associated with other parts of the mouth, such as the throat, tonsils, and palate (roof of the mouth). It is often not a serious problem and goes away in a few days. Anybody can get uvulitis, but adults are less often affected than children.

Uvulitis is not contagious by itself, but the bacteria and viruses that cause it can spread among people. In times of the COVID pandemic, some may develop a swollen or inflamed uvula, but it is not a common symptom of COVID infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Acute Uvulitis?

The symptoms of uvulitis include:

• Choking or gagging.

• Sore throat.

• Fever.

• Feeling like something is there in the throat.

• Coughing.

• Excessive saliva.

• White spots on the uvula or throat.

• Pain while swallowing.

• Snoring.

• Decreased or loss of appetite.

What Are the Causes of Acute Uvulitis?

There are many factors that can cause uvulitis. Some of them include the following:

• Environmental Irritants - Inhaling certain chemical substances and smoking tobacco can irritate the uvula and cause inflammation.

• Allergies - Some allergens, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or certain foods such as eggs and peanuts, can cause a swollen uvula.

• Certain Medications - Side effects of some medications can cause the uvula to swell.

• Injury - An injury to the back of the throat can lead to inflammation of the uvula. An injury can occur due to endoscopy (a test that involves inserting a tube into the esophagus through the mouth to view the esophagus and stomach lining), surgery (such as tonsil removal called a tonsillectomy), and damage due to acid reflux.

• Viral or Bacterial Infections - Some infections, such as strep throat, tonsillitis, common cold, and mononucleosis (kissing disease), can have uvulitis as a symptom.

• Dehydration - Some people can have uvulitis due to poor hydration. Also, some people reported having uvulitis after alcohol overindulgence.

• STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) - Some STDs, such as syphilis (a sexually transmitted infection that starts as a painful sore and is transmitted by bacteria Treponema pallidum) and gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae) can cause the uvula to become swollen.

• Genetics - Some genetic disorders, such as hereditary angioedema (a condition characterized by recurrent attacks of swelling), can lead to uvulitis. The elongated uvula is a rare genetic condition that is characterized by larger than normal uvula. It is similar to uvulitis but it is not uvulitis and is not caused by uvulitis. However, it can interfere with breathing, and surgery is the only treatment option.

How to Diagnose Acute Uvulitis?

The doctor will diagnose the uvulitis by asking about the signs and symptoms that the person is experiencing, any over-the-counter medications that the person might be taking, and performing a physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis and find the cause of the inflammation, the doctor may recommend the following tests:

• Allergy Test - It is done to check if allergens are the cause of the inflammation.

• Blood Tests - To identify or rule out some infectious agents.

• Throat Cultures - Secretions of the throat are tested for bacterial or fungal infections.

What Are the Treatment Options for Acute Uvulitis?

Acute uvulitis usually goes away on its own in a few days. But if the symptoms are severe or if the symptoms linger on for more than a couple of days, people should schedule an appointment with the doctor and get the treatment immediately. The first line of treatment is to treat the underlying cause of the inflammation. For example, if the cause of acute uvulitis is allergies then Antihistamines can be prescribed to reduce the symptoms. If uvulitis occurs due to tonsillitis, then the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. In case of severe inflammation, corticosteroid medications are prescribed to reduce swelling and help to make the person feel better. Acute uvulitis usually goes away with treating the underlying cause, but if a person has chronic uvulitis (long-lasting uvulitis), then the conservative treatments will not work. It will require surgical removal of the uvula to get relief from the symptoms. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove parts or all of the uvula.

Home Remedies to Treat Acute Uvulitis:

There are a few things that a person can do at home to relieve the uvulitis symptoms. These include:

• Get enough rest.

• Drink a lot of water.

• Eat ice chips.

• Use throat lozenges.

• Use a humidifier.

The recovery time varies from person to person. Most people see an improvement in two to three days after starting the treatment. Also, people should be careful about certain things in order to reduce the risk of developing uvulitis, such as avoiding smoking, and allergens (as much as possible), avoiding environmental triggers and chemical irritants, and practicing safe sex.

Conclusion

Acute uvulitis is not a common condition, but it is a temporary condition. Most of the time, it clears up on its own without the need for treatment. At times, the symptoms can be treated with home remedies. However, if the cause of the inflammation is an infection, allergy, or any medical condition, then the underlying cause should be treated. Hence finding the cause of the uvulitis is necessary to provide appropriate treatment.