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“The uvula is the punching bag located at the back of the soft palate, and helps to close off the upper throat from the lower throat during swallowing and speech,” says Craig Zalvan, M.D ...
At times, the mucous membrane around the uvula may swell, causing the uvula to expand 3–5 times its normal size. This condition is known as uvulitis. When the uvula touches the throat or tongue, it can cause sensations like gagging or choking, although there is no foreign matter present. This can cause problems with breathing, talking, and ...
If you wake up in the morning with a sore throat, you could unknowingly be sleeping with your mouth open. Dr. Love says that this is another non-infectious reason why some people have a sore throat.
A progressively severe sore throat on one side and pain during swallowing (odynophagia) usually are the earliest symptoms. As the abscess develops, persistent pain in the peritonsillar area, fever , a general sense of feeling unwell , headache, and a distortion of vowels informally known as "hot potato voice" may appear.
To check the uvula, a tongue blade is pressed down on the patient's tongue and the patient is asked to say "ah"; the uvula should look like a pendant in the midline and rise along the soft palate. Abnormal findings include deviation of the uvula from the midline, an asymmetrical rise of the soft palate or uvula and redness of either.
Sometimes other reactions can be triggered in the eyes, nose, and skin. Swelling of the lips, tongue, and uvula, and a sensation of tightness in the throat may be observed. Once the allergen reaches the stomach, it is broken down by the acid, and the allergic reaction does not progress further.
Warm liquids can help soothe a sore throat, and foods with a softer texture often feel better on an irritated throat, adds V. Peter DeMarco, M.D., primary care physician at Columbia University ...
Reflux episodes often occur at night and one may develop a bitter taste in the mouth. The throat can be severely irritated when acid touches the vocal cords and can lead to spasms of coughing. To prevent throat irritation from reflux, one should lose weight, stop smoking, avoid coffee beverages and sleep with the head elevated. [4]