Kara's Uvula Who

[Kara]

This is really weird, but it bothers me quite a bit. Every once in a while, my uvula swells up for no apparent reason. It feels like a sore throat when I swallow because it obstructs a significant portion of my throat. Then it just goes back to normal after a few hours. Sometimes it gets big enough that it rests on the back of my tongue. I hate it, truly hate it when it happens. This only started to happen 3 years or so ago. The very first time, I just thought it was a sore throat, but then a noticed that it was getting hard to breathe. I looked in my throat to see if there were signs of strep, and I saw the damn thing was about the size of a grape. I couldn't talk right because it was so big. I called my doctor (this was on a Sunday so I couldn't go into the office), and she had no idea what it could be and told me to go to the ER since it was impairing my ability to breathe. As I was getting dressed and ready to go, it burst. It had actually swollen to the breaking point and it ruptured. It poured blood down my throat all the way to the hospital. This was when I lived in the city I work in, which is huge, and I was waiting in the ER for a few hours before they took me back. By then, it was pretty much back to normal, except for the bloody hole in the tip of it. And what happened? The ER doc came in, looked at it and said "Well, THAT'S weird."

Then they sent me home. No diagnosis, just kind of "I guess it's okay now." It's never again been that bad, but it still has a habit of swelling every now and again. It's been like this since I got up an hour ago (it always seems to begin in my sleep, I just wake up this way), so I thought I'd see if anyone around here has any clue whatsoever as to what this could be. Because, and I can't stress this enough, I HATE it, it's such an odd sensation it just makes me want to cry. And it scares me to death. I'd go to my own doctor, but, like today, I'm about to head out the door to work and the office is only open on Saturdays til noon, and what if I just get another "Eh" reaction? "Eh" doesn't fucking tell me what's wrong with me! This doesn't seem to be common, what if I have some kind of horrible disease or condition? Will I have to endure some kind of long term, brutal treatment? Will I die? I mean, I know it's a uvula and not like, a pancreas or something, but what if it's a sign of something worse? That first time, they dismissed it as some type of infection, but that's obviously bullcrap since it keeps happening.

Shit, now I'm shaking. Any ideas?

[CSR Kim]

I just did a quick search on "swollen uvula" and came up with this from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palatine_uvula :

"At times, the mucous membrane around the uvula may swell, causing the uvula to expand 3-5 times its normal size. When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can cause sensations like gagging or choking, even though there is no foreign matter present. This can cause problems breathing, talking, and eating.

There are many theories about what causes the uvula to swell, including: 1) dehydration (from arid weather); 2) excessive smoking or other inhaled irritants; 3) snoring; 4) allergic reaction; or 5) a viral or bacterial infection.

If the swelling is caused by dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. If the cause is a bacterial infection, gargling salt water may help. A swollen uvula is normally not life-threatening and subsides in a short time, typically within a day. However, it can also be a sign of other problems. Some patients with a history or recurring uvulitis have to carry an EpiPen containing Adrenaline (Epinephrine) to inject themselves whenever the uvulitis begins. If the swelling has not subsided within 8-12 hours, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms (such as fever or pain), it is best to see your health care provider."

[BlaqueKatt]

I had that happen a couple times-once when I had Mono, and once when I had some Bizzare cat virus that also randomly caused my tonsils to balloon up to epic proportions within 30 seconds, and subside within 45 minutes or so(was harmless but disturbing- you could see one side of my neck bulge, then get smaller then the other side would swell a few days later, lasted about a week or two)

[Kara]

I just did a quick search on "swollen uvula" and came up with this from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palatine_uvula :


Ah, Wikipedia. There's nothing it doesn't know.


There are many theories about what causes the uvula to swell, including: 1) dehydration (from arid weather); 2) excessive smoking or other inhaled irritants; 3) snoring; 4) allergic reaction; or 5) a viral or bacterial infection.

Hmm, I drink plenty of fluids (I have a 32 oz cup sitting here on my desk at work and I refill it a couple times a day), I don't smoke, I have no allergies to any foods or medications. I suppose that leaves infection or snoring. I snore, but it's not earth-shaking or anything, gets worse when I'm congested but I haven't been. I had viral tonsilitis a couple of weeks ago, but I got over it in a few days. Plus, it would have to be a recurring virus or bacteria to get it to be a recurring symptom, and I don't know if that's what it is. Guess I'll have to run it by my doctor and get her opinion. Every time I think about it, I figure it's probably not a good idea to talk about it if it's not happening at that point in time.

[BookstoreEscapee]

It is possible to develop a new allergy as an adult, so you might not be able to rule that out just yet. Is there any particular food or other substance you may have eaten/been exposed to shortly before each episode?

I would totally freak out if that happened to me. I get anxiety attacks sometimes (I used to get full-on panic attacks but I haven't had one in quite a while) and one of my symptoms is a feeling like my throat is closing, even though there's nothing wrong with it. Now whenever something does constrict my throat or neck, it can bring on an anxiety attack all on its own.

[Tanasi]

How about having it removed? My oldest daughter's was removed when she had her tonsils removed. So far she's not had a problem. The surgeon can have it off in a few seconds, cauterize the wound and it's like having a sore throat.

[Jester]

I have no allergies to any foods or medications.

That you know of.

As has been said, it is possible and not all that uncommon to develop new allergies as we age.

It is also possible to have an allergy you are not aware of. Case in point: me and bananas.

For years I just assumed that the odd scratching feeling I would get in the back of my throat when I would eat a banana was normal, some sort of reaction to all the potassium. I assumed everyone got it.

Until one day I mentioned it to someone, and they looked at me and said, "You idiot. You're allergic to bananas!" I asked them how they were so sure. "Because I'm allergic to bananas, and that is the reaction I get when I eat them!"

Luckily for me it is not a serious allergic reaction. That being said, there are many people who are highly allergic to certain foods. RW, for example, is highly allergic to most seafood...if she eats it, her throat will close up, she will be unable to breathe, and she will probably die. So I don't push the scallops too much when we dine out!

Just remember, allergies can develop, change, or get more severe over time. Just because you didn't use to be allergic to certain things doesn't mean you still aren't.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

RW, for example, is highly allergic to most seafood...if she eats it, her throat will close up, she will be unable to breathe, and she will probably die.

This is what is known as anaphylactic shock...it's a very severe allergic reaction. I can get it too, from certain kinds of peppers. It is very scary.

[BlaqueKatt]

"You idiot. You're allergic to bananas!"
Luckily for me it is not a serious allergic reaction
Just remember, allergies can develop, change, or get more severe over time.

A Reaction to bananas like that can also be indiciative of a latex allergy-which also means allergies to most tree fruits as when the body breaks them down they mimic latex.

I can't eat strawberries, peaches, bananas, kiwis, pineapple, cherries, nectarines, pretty much anything that isn't citrus-all because of ONE allergy :cry:

[Boozy]

I've got to go with the group, here. It really sounds like an allergy to something. Its probably not even something you ingest, but something in the air at home or work.

Have you had your ducts cleaned at home recently? Changed the furnace filter? That might be something to get done.

If the problem's at work, ask around; there may be other people who have allergy symptoms they can't explain. You say the problem started about three years ago. Did anything change in your life at that time? How long have you been at your place of employment?

[justZu]

What kind of pillow do you sleep on? I used to have goosedown pillows but had to switch to polyester ones because I would wake up having allergic reactions. My ears itched and my throat was also itchy and sometimes swollen, too.
Maybe the pillows are affecting your uvula as you sleep?

I have the same itchy swollen reaction to fresh fruit and yogurt.

[Gawdzillers]

I love Green Day.