Can Snoring Cause a Swollen Uvula?

The uvula is the flesh that hangs in the back of your throat. It can run into some problems if it becomes larger than normal. Can snoring cause a swollen uvula? Why does snoring happen? Let’s find out here.

Can Snoring Cause a Swollen Uvula? 

Yes, snoring can cause a swollen uvula. But it’s rare.

If you snore, it vibrates your uvula heavily. As a result, it irritates it and causes swelling.

But just because you snore, it doesn’t mean that your uvula becomes larger than normal. The only time that snoring can cause a swollen uvula is that if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

It’s a condition that leads to loud snoring with some periods of stopped breathing. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Feel sleepy in the day
• Chest pain at night
• High blood pressure
• Sore throat upon waking up

You may also wake up your partner at night.

However, just because you have sleep apnea, doesn’t mean that it’s the one causing your swollen uvula. Talk to your doctor about it.

You may undergo certain tests, such as a sleep study and x-ray. The treatment for your swollen uvula will depend on several things. But it may include one or some of the following:

• Lose weight if you are overweight
• Limit alcohol
• Use nasal decongestants
• Use a mouthguard
• Wear a CPAP device

If nothing worked, you may need to undergo surgery to open your airway.

However, snoring isn’t the only cause of a swollen usual. There are other factors that can cause it.

Infection 

Infections can cause your uvula to swell. If you have a cough, stuffy nose, fever, body aches, and fatigue, then they are sure symptoms of infections.

If your sore throat lasts longer than a week, you need to see your doctor.

To treat your stolen uvula because of an infection, the infection has to be treated first. For instance, if the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe anti-bacterial treatment.

However, if it’s a viral infection, you may need to up your vitamin C intake. Keep in mind that viral infection has no treatment.

Since you can’t take antibiotics for a viral infection, the only things you can do would be to drink lots of water. You also need to get plenty of rest. If the swollen uvula causes pain, a pain reliever can be taken. Or you may try throat sprays and other home remedies for sore throats.

Allergies 

The most common symptom of allergies is puffed-up skin. Your swollen uvula might be the result of seasonal allergies. Or it can be the dust or pet dander.

Some foods can cause allergic reactions. These would include milk, peanuts, shellfish, and eggs, among others.

In addition to the swollen uvula, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Hives

To know what’s causing your allergies, you need to see an allergist. This specialist can help identify the culprit. In that way, you can prevent any allergy triggers in the future.

You may need to take medicine that can help in treating the swelling. However, if it’s a severe allergy, you need to get allergy shots. They are vital in helping your body get used to the trigger.

Genes

Your swollen uvula might be caused by a rare disorder known as hereditary angioedema (HAE). This disorder causes fluid to accumulate in the blood vessels. As a result, it stops the flow of lymph fluid in the body resulting in swelling of tissues.

To know if you have this rare disorder, your doctor may request a confirmation test for HAE.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it. However, there are medicines to prevent attacks.

How to Manage Your Swollen Uvula at Home? 

There are several home remedies you can try. Whatever the cause, you should try these remedies:

• Plenty of rest
• Drink a lot of water
• Choose to eat warm or cold foods to relieve the area
• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist
• Keep your throat moist by sucking on a lozenge

Conclusion 

Can snoring cause a swollen uvula? It’s one of the causes. But it’s not the only cause. If the swelling is the result of snoring, you may try this device to stop your snoring.