Is it possible to cut your uvula

Anyone who has had something stuck in their through in which the could not swallow knows that it is a serious problem. We suggest getting it checked out as soon as possible. If you have sleep apnea and are wondering whether your uvula needs to be trimmed or cut, it is in your best interest to schedule an appointment at our office. Call us today at Wake Forest North Raleigh Ten Ten Coming Soon!

J Laryngol Otol. The traditionally amputated uvula amongst Nigerians: still an ongoing practice. ISRN Otolaryngol. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

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Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Friedman, M. Saunders: Elsevier. Jacobson, R. Uvulectomies and Associated Complications. JAMA Dermatol. When you eat, your soft palate and uvula are pushed backwards to prevent foods and liquids from going up your nose.

It also prevents choking by triggering the gag reflex if large amounts of food or a large object is passed to the back of the throat. Uvulitis occurs when the uvula becomes swollen, leading to a sore throat. There are several causes for a swollen uvula to include dehydration, smoking, allergic reaction, or from a virus or bacterial infection such as strep throat. Home remedies for a swollen uvula include hydration, Benadryl, and antibiotics in the case of a bacterial infection.

Some people need to have their uvula removed to treat snoring or some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea OSA. When you sleep, your uvula vibrates. If you have an especially large or long uvula, it can vibrate enough to make you snore.

In other cases, it can flap over your airway and block the airflow into your lungs, causing OSA. Removing the uvula can help prevent snoring.

It may also help symptoms of OSA. Often, the uvula is partially removed as part of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty UPPP. This is the main surgery used to clear the blockage in OSA. UPPP removes excess tissue from the uvula and soft palate. You will get both a topical and injected local anesthetic in the back of your mouth to prevent you from feeling pain.

To do an uvulectomy, your doctor will use radiofrequency energy or an electric current to remove your uvula. Here are 13 of the best vitamin D supplements, according…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Uvula Removal Surgery. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Why might it have to be removed? Do I need to prepare for uvula removal? What happens during surgery? What happens after the procedure? Does uvula removal have any side effects? How long does it take to recover? The bottom line.

Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Sleep Disorders. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD.

Medically reviewed by Steve Kim, MD.