Symptoms and home treatment of uvulitis, causes of swelling and swelling of the uvula in the throat

Most people attribute discomfort and pain during swallowing to symptoms of a cold. However, inflammatory processes in the throat can affect not only the larynx, but also the small tongue. Often, when visiting a doctor, a patient is diagnosed with uvulitis. What does this mean, what symptoms accompany the pathology? How to treat an inflamed tongue?

Anatomical structure and functions of the small tongue

The uvula is called the palatine uvula and is a conical process that is part of the soft palate. Located in the oral cavity above the root of the tongue. The uvula consists of connective and muscle tissue, is penetrated by a large number of blood vessels, and the surface is covered with a mucous membrane.

In normal condition, the uvula is small in size. Its color matches the color of the surrounding tissues. The process performs the following functions:

• promotes the formation of various speech sounds,
• distributes food and air in the larynx,
• protects the throat from cold air flows,
• regulates gag and cough reflexes,
• prevents the penetration of foreign bodies deep into the respiratory tract,
• reduces the spread of viruses and bacteria.

What is uvulitis?

Uvulitis is an inflammatory pathology of the palatine process. The name of the disease comes from the Latin name for the small uvula – “uvula”. The disease most often begins unexpectedly, is acute and is accompanied by swelling of the soft palate. If not treated promptly, it becomes chronic.

When the uvula becomes inflamed, the size and color of the conical process changes, the throat hurts, and discomfort appears in the throat. With a significant increase, the gag reflex begins to work.

Types and symptoms of uvulitis

The causes of pathology are various. Depending on the provoking factors, the following types of uvulitis are distinguished:

• Infectious. Damage to the soft palate by bacteria and viruses.
• Medication. This type of pathology is a consequence of adverse reactions after taking medications.
• Allergic. Inflammation of the uvula can manifest itself as an allergic reaction.
• Traumatic. This category includes inflammation that occurs as a result of mechanical, chemical and thermal effects on the palate and palatine process. The pathology is often complicated by infection.

Despite the different causes of the disease, all types of uvulitis have common symptoms. Chronic inflammation may not appear for a long time. The acute stage of uvulitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

What are the symptoms? How does the disease progress?

The chronic form of the disease may not manifest itself for a long time, which leads to untimely treatment at the hospital and progression of the disease.

Exacerbation of chronic uvulitis, as well as the acute form of the disease, is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• discomfort and feeling of a foreign object in the throat, especially when swallowing saliva or food;
• sharp pain, increase in the size of the uvula itself;
• increased salivation, pain in the throat when talking, during the act of swallowing, coughing;
• difficulty breathing due to severe swelling of the organ and narrowing of the air lumen;
• speech impediment, frequent vomiting, nagging cough.

1

If the disease is infectious, a person will be bothered by high body temperature, constant headache, and weakness. In the case of allergic pathology, the following symptoms will be present: paroxysmal cough, severe itching, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, severe lacrimation.

2

In the event of an injury or burn to the oral cavity, pain comes to the fore. In the future, it is possible to develop cicatricial deformations of the uvula, which can lead to permanent impairment of speech and breathing.

3

In a child, acute uvulitis will be manifested by high body temperature, loss of appetite, choking while eating, speech impairment, and changes in voice timbre.

Uvulitis: photo of the tongue

Which doctor should I contact? Diagnostics

Depending on the cause of the pathology, chronic or acute uvulitis can be treated by an infectious disease specialist, dentist, otolaryngologist, surgeon or allergist. Children are required to be shown to a pediatrician who treats uvulitis due to ARVI and tonsillitis.

To determine the cause of the disease, the following research methods can be used:

• bacteriological culture of a smear taken from the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and nose;
• clinical blood test (to establish the fact of acute inflammation of a bacterial or viral nature);
• radiography of the paranasal sinuses (to exclude or confirm sinusitis, ethmoiditis);
• direct, indirect laryngoscopy – examination of the pharynx using a special instrument (laryngoscope);
• allergen-specific tests that help identify the presence of hypersensitivity reactions to various potential allergens (quantitative and qualitative determination of Ig E levels).

A routine examination of the oral cavity is equally important. In case of inflammation, the uvula appears enlarged and swollen. Its mucous membrane will be brightly hyperemic, penetrated by dilated capillaries.

It is possible that the tongue may deviate to the side, causing it to “overhang” closely over the root of the tongue. During the tumor process, it is possible to detect growths, deformation of the palate and arches.

Main causes of pathology

Uvulitis most often develops in people with weakened immunity and bad habits - alcohol, smoking, etc. Alcohol abuse leads to drying of the mucous membrane and, as a result, to the development of the inflammatory process.

Factors that may cause the disease include:

• frequent colds and infectious diseases,
• chronic pathologies of the nasopharynx,
• throat surgeries,
• snore.

The reasons for the appearance of uvulitis in children and adults are the same:

• inhalation of toxic fumes,
• violation of tonsil removal technique,
• damage to the surface of the upper tongue with a sharp object,
• eating hot food
• purulent inflammation in the nasopharynx and oral cavity,
• pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, acute rhinitis,
• carious processes,
• benign and malignant neoplasms on the palate and small uvula,
• long-term use of potent drugs,
• allergen exposure.

Treatment of a swollen tongue in the throat

Inflammation of the tongue in the throat is a rather unpleasant symptom that can be a sign of various diseases. The tongue is located at the back of the soft palate. In its normal state it is small and its presence is usually not felt.

The inflammatory process associated with the expansion of the tongue and its swelling is called uvulitis. This is a rather unpleasant symptom, which is also life-threatening if not treated promptly.

• Feeling of a foreign body in the throat;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Problems with swallowing food;
• Hoarseness,
• Language problems;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Increased salivation.

The problem usually occurs in the morning, right after sleep, so it can cause serious anxiety, which only worsens the patient's condition.

If you experience the symptoms described above, you should carefully examine your mouth and throat. If the tongue is grown, swollen, red or cyanotic, then it is very likely that uvulitis is present in the nasopharynx.

Causes

There are many reasons why a tongue can grow. The cause may be an unpleasant symptom:

• inflammatory processes caused by viral or bacterial infections;
• allergies;
• injuries;
• chemicals;
• thermal factors;
• tumors localized in the nasopharynx.

Viral or bacterial infections are rarely accompanied by inflammatory reactions, which can enlarge the tongue. This most often occurs when the inflammatory area is located close to the roof of the mouth and the swelling affects the adjacent soft tissue.

The high pathogenicity of bacteria that cause pathology and significantly reduce the body's protective functions can lead to the inflammatory process in the throat affecting the tongue. Possible increase in size and swelling of the tongue:

• Inflammatory gland infections;
• Inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, for example, rhinitis, pharyngitis, adenoiditis;
• Throat abscess;
• Purulent inflammatory processes in the mouth, gums and teeth, for example. dentistry, gingivitis, periodontal diseases;
• infectious diseases such as diphtheria and mononucleosis, which cause inflammation of the soft tissues of the neck, enlarged lymph nodes, and plaque on the tonsils;
• inflammatory processes of the salivary glands;
• various diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis

Important! If swelling of the tongue is caused by the above reasons, then the unpleasant symptom is usually preceded by clinical manifestations characteristic of the underlying infection.

In this case, the patient complains of painful swallowing, tightness in the throat and difficulty breathing.

Often the cause of inflammation of the tongue in the throat is cancer. Cancer and other types of benign and malignant neoplasms can affect the surface of the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth.

Considering the statistics, tongue cancer pathologies account for about one and a half percent of the total number of nasopharyngeal cancers, while swelling of the soft palate can also occur in tumors of surrounding organs and tissues.

Exposure to high or too low temperatures can lead to burns of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and cause inflammation of the tongue. Inhalation of vapors from various chemicals can also cause damage to the nasopharyngeal organs.

Hot food and drinks, strong alcohol are irritants in this situation.

Damage to the mucous membrane occurs not only as a result of direct burns, but also as a result of excessive dryness in the oral cavity.

Important! Accidental use of acetic acid, various chemical essences and rinsing with a highly concentrated soda solution can lead to tongue burns.

In case of allergies, the tongue in the throat often becomes enlarged and swollen. Allergies can be caused not only by food, but also by household chemicals, pollen and wool.

The fact that swelling of the tongue is caused by allergies should be taken into account by people prone to allergic reactions. In this case, an enlargement of the palate may be accompanied by urticaria, allergic dermatitis, and swollen angioedema.

In such a situation, symptoms develop quickly, swelling occurs against a satisfactory background of health.

Inflammation of the tongue can also occur as a complication after taking medications. In this case, allergic inflammation of the tongue is often accompanied by itching, rashes, swelling of various parts of the body and difficulty breathing. The reaction usually occurs as a result of topical application of a particular drug or injection of a drug.

Swelling of the tongue can also occur as a reaction to chemotherapy during cancer treatment.

The palate consists of a large number of small blood vessels, so inflammation develops quickly and causes significant swelling.

• damage to soft tissues from hard food;
• constant vomiting, especially in situations where it is caused artificially;
• damage to the tongue during medical procedures such as throat scans, dental examinations;
• snoring, which can cause swelling due to air vibrations;
• excessive craving for cigarettes, hookah;
• hereditary diseases such as angioedema.

Diagnostic features

In the case of inflammation of the tongue, the diagnostic procedure is usually simple. A specialist can determine the cause of an unpleasant symptom by analyzing only the patient’s symptoms and conducting an examination. If the diagnosis requires clarification, additional procedures are used.

• General blood analysis. This procedure helps determine the nature of the disease, excluding or confirming the presence of infection. For example, an infectious disease increases the number of white blood cells, while the allergic nature of the symptom increases the number of eosinophils in the blood.
• Culture of bacteria to determine the microflora that caused inflammation of the tongue will help determine the type of pathogen and its susceptibility to basic antibiotics.
• If your doctor suspects an allergic reaction, an immunogram or allergy diagnostic test may be needed.
• To rule out cancer, the doctor may order a histological examination of the tongue tissue, x-rays or tomography.

Important! If the tongue is very enlarged and prevents full breathing, you should immediately seek medical help from specialists.

Which doctor and when should I contact?

The inflammatory process is often a concomitant symptom of colds and infectious diseases, so it can be stopped by treating the underlying pathology. If the symptoms of uvulitis are not pronounced, there are no problems with breathing or eating, swelling on the small tongue is not noticeable, the disease does not require an additional course of treatment.

Uvulitis sharply worsens, so if the first alarming symptoms occur, you should consult a specialist. The treatment is carried out by an otolaryngologist. Doctor's help is necessary in the following situations:

• the disease gets worse,
• breathing is difficult due to the fact that the appendix is ​​very swollen,
• body temperature increased to 39 degrees,
• profuse vomiting occurred due to the elongation of the uvula,
• the swollen appendage prevents the swallowing of food,
• the patient's age is less than 5 years,
• A purulent coating is noticeable on the tongue.

Diagnosis of uvulitis

During the patient’s first visit, the doctor conducts a survey to identify associated symptoms and the reasons why the appendix is ​​swollen. Pharyngoscopy (a clinical method of examining the condition of the pharynx) is required. In most cases, the diagnosis is made based on the symptoms identified during the initial examination. To clarify the diagnosis during the second visit, the specialist may prescribe laboratory tests:

• General blood and urine tests. Diagnostics allows you to assess the general condition of the body and identify the root cause of the pathology.
• Biochemistry of blood. Allows you to find out how internal organs function and identify factors that provoke inflammation of the appendix.
• Immunogram and allergy tests. They are carried out if an allergic nature of the disease is suspected. They help identify the allergen in order to prevent future contact with it.
• Microflora smear and bacteriological culture. This is done when the symptoms of a bacterial disease are severe. The analysis allows us to identify the type of pathogenic microorganisms and choose the right antibacterial drug.
• X-ray, histological examination, computed tomography. With an enlarged uvula, these examination methods are rarely performed. Procedures are prescribed if the doctor suspects the presence of a tumor in the larynx.

How to treat uvulitis with medications?

In the treatment of acute inflammation of the uvula, antibiotics, antifungals, and local antiseptic drugs can be used. Surgical intervention is resorted to extremely rarely - in the case of suppuration, the presence of phlegmon or abscess of the peripharyngeal fatty tissue, and in case of tumor diseases.

Treatment with antibiotics is indicated only if the bacterial origin of the disease is confirmed.

Such an infection is supported by long-term persistence of fever (more than 3 days), characteristic changes in the oral mucosa, clinical blood test (high level of leukocytes, neutrophilia, accelerated ESR).

In order to understand which antibiotic will help, it is recommended to undergo a bacteriological analysis of a smear from the throat and nose. It allows you to determine the source of infection (type and name of bacteria), sensitivity to various antibacterial drugs.

The most commonly used groups of antibacterial agents are:

1

Semi-synthetic, protected penicillins (“Flemoxin”, “Amoxicillin”, “Augmentin”, “Amoxiclav”). They have a wide range of effects and are available in the form of tablets and suspensions, approved for children. A common contraindication is the presence of an allergic reaction to penicillins.

2

Azalides, macrolides (Sumamed, azithromycin, clarithromycin, hemomycin). They have a bactericidal effect on a large number of pathogenic microbes and rarely cause adverse reactions. Available in syrups and tablets.

3

2nd or 3rd generation cephalosporins (“Zinnat”, “Pancef”, “Zinacef”). To treat uvulitis, a tablet or liquid form of these antibiotics is usually prescribed.

Note: only a doctor can prescribe any antibacterial drugs, preferably based on the results of a clinical blood test. It is also not recommended to interrupt the prescribed course, even if you feel better.

Remember

During pregnancy, antibiotics are used only if their expected positive effect significantly outweighs the potential risks.

If the disease is of an allergic nature, antihistamines are used (Suprastin, Loratadine, Cetrin, for children - Fenistil, Zodak drops). In this case, it is not recommended to use throat sprays or inhalations.

How to treat candidal uvulitis?

If fungal flora is detected, it is advisable to use local and systemic antifungal drugs for treatment: Fluconazole, Nystatin, Miramistin. The course of therapy is selected only by a doctor, taking into account the type of fungus and its sensitivity to drugs. [ads-pc-1][ads-mob-1]

Treatment with medications and folk remedies

The treatment regimen is selected depending on the cause of uvulitis. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the primary pathology and reducing inflammation. The main focus is on relieving swelling, since the disease interferes with normal breathing and is life-threatening for the patient. Treatment of uvulitis is based on complex therapy and includes the use of drugs listed in the table below.

Treating uvulitis at home

Treatment at home is carried out for mild or uncomplicated disease. To do this, use medications prescribed by a doctor (antibiotics, for example), local preparations with an antiseptic, and decoctions for rinsing the mouth.

The following medications help with inflammation and sore throat:

• Hexoral (spray, lozenges). Standard course – 7 days.
• Lizobakt, Lizak (lozenges). They are allowed for children from 3 years old.
• Faringosept, Septefril, Decathylene (lozenges, tablets).
• Gevalex, Chlorophyllipt, Rotokan, Tantum Verde (solutions for frequent mouth rinsing).

It is impossible to quickly cure inflammation; it is important to regularly dissolve lozenges with an antiseptic or rinse the mouth.
The minimum course of such treatment should last at least 7 days. Antiseptic solutions are also available in the form of aerosols for irrigation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat (Ingalipt, Angistop), but they are prohibited for children under 3 years of age and persons prone to sudden laryngospasm and allergic reactions.

Inhalations and homeopathy are not effective in treating acute or chronic uvulitis.

It is highly not recommended to resort to this type of alternative medicine, especially when treating children.

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Prevention measures

Uvulitis is one of those diseases that can be easily treated in the early stages. However, advanced pathology poses a threat to the patient’s life. The following preventive measures help prevent inflammation of the uvula:

• timely treatment of dental diseases,
• proper oral care,
• treatment of colds and infectious diseases (including chronic ones),
• Vaccination of children according to the vaccination schedule,
• rejection of bad habits,
• adherence to the principles of proper nutrition,
• contact a specialist if the uvula is swollen.

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How to gargle with uvulitis?

Rinsing with folk remedies and medications helps reduce signs of inflammation, relieve pain, and locally fight infection. A banal soda and furatsilin solution has proven effectiveness.

The first is prepared by adding half a small spoon of baking soda to 250 ml of warm water, the second by dissolving 2 furatsilin tablets in 200 ml of water. It is recommended to rinse your mouth every 3-4 hours for at least a week.

Read more: How to gargle with soda? Proportions. Salt and iodine. Full description

How to gargle with Furacilin? How to properly dilute? Instructions and reviews

You can also use the following folk remedies for rinsing:

• solution from onion peels (a large spoon of the raw material is poured with 500 ml of water, boiled, infused for 5 hours and filtered);
• decoctions of sage, thyme, viburnum, St. John's wort;
• chamomile infusion, garlic infusion.

Rinsing with medications (Chlorophyllipt, Gevalex, Miramistin) is highly effective. The treatment regimen is drawn up by the attending physician: as a rule, 4-5 rinses per day after meals, for 7-10 days.

Prevention

In order to prevent the disease, you should avoid contact with infectious patients, observe the rules of personal hygiene, and regularly sanitize the oral cavity. To increase the body's resistance, you should eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and exercise.