Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum

Even though much time has passed since the initial posting, I wanted to make a couple of points. I am an RN and woke up this morning with an enlarged uvula. This is only the second time that this has happened to me; the last time was in 1982! I don't have a history of sinus infections or seasonal allergies, but (coincidentally) I had eaten seafood (not shellfish) the night before each of these incidences. I know, a big coincidence since I am not allergic to seafood, but it was enough for me to go to the hospital. As a nurse, one has to worry FIRST about airway! I don't really care what the cause. All I know is that I felt like every time I attempted to swallow, I was sort of pulling this long thing down my throat and I started to feel a little anxiety. Here are a couple of points that you all should consider:
-Don't ignore the problem. It could be self limiting, but it is often the symptom of something else (allergy, infection, etc.)
-Anything that swells in/around your throat has the potential to obstruct your airway.
-I'm not sure if post-nasal drip triggered my swelling or was in response to it, but they do seem to come hand in hand.
-Some of you refer to a "dry" throat, but it is interesting to note that the uvula is usually MOIST when it is swollen. That's not typical of a normal sized uvula. If it is moist, then it is likely due to some irritating mucous that is exacerbating the condition.
-You should not take antibiotics since a common cause for this is a VIRAL infection (antibiotics do not help viral illnesses and can actually make it worst).
-See a doctor !!! One of the people responding mentioned her epiglottis. An inflammation of the epiglottis can be serious (narrows airway) and a swollen uvula can accompany it. You might think your problem is the uvula, but in fact it could be the epiglottis, which lies deep in your throat passage.
-Benadryl usually helps reduce the swelling. This is the best that you can do: treat the symptom (since most of us don't know the cause) and it gives you some relief until you can get to the doctor's office. The doctor can prescribe other things, such as a stronger histamine blocker, steroids, anti-inflammatory, etc. BTW - Benadryl can make you VERY drowsy.
-As for the SALT/PEPPER mix, be careful. As one writer mentioned, your sinuses are cavities that are well connected to your throat areas. If you get a "whiff" of that pepper and start gagging or sneezing, I would worry about anything that could cause you to vomit because of the already compromised airway. Last thing you need is to aspirate your own vomit, saliva, mucous (it goes into your lungs and can kill you). I would stick with the saltwater gargle ONLY if you think you won't choke on it.
-As an added precaution, don't eat or drink anything before going to your doctor. Some conditions (e.g. botulism) tend to paralyze muscles and can affect your gag reflex, leading to choking.
-One final thing: if you wake up and find you've been snoring (I never do, but was last night) as the result of trying to push this lumpy growth out of your throat, try not to panic. My first experience with this was terrifying since the uvula was about the width of my thumb. I was on my honeymoon in the mountains and the only way that I could breath comfortably was by leaning completing over. This caused the growth to plop out of the way.

Enlarged Uvula