Why is uvula removed

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.

The whole procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes. For UPPP, they will use small cuts to remove extra tissue from the soft palate opening the airway even further. You may feel some pain in your throat for few days after the procedure. In addition to any pain medication your doctor prescribes, sucking on ice or drinking cool liquids can help soothe your throat. Try to only eat soft foods for the next three to five days to avoid irritating your throat.

Avoid hot and spicy foods. Following the procedure, you might notice some swelling and rough edges around the surgical area for a few days. A white scab will form over the place where your uvula was removed. It should disappear in a week or two. Changes in swallowing or speech do not occur with uvulectomy. In addition, after a uvulectomy, about a quarter of patients experience long-term complications. These might include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a persistent foreign object sensation in the throat.

To learn more about your snoring treatment options, please call for an appointment with an Omaha sleep dentist at the Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center. Functions the Uvula Performs Although people have been trying to determine the role of the uvula for millennia, we are still not entirely certain why the uvula exists. Living with Your Uvula As a functional structure, you should carefully consider whether you want to have your uvula removed to treat snoring, especially since removal of the uvula can actually make sleep apnea worse.

By Dr. Roubal August 6th, Snoring. Share This Story! Facebook Twitter Email. It should disappear in a week or two. It takes about three to four weeks to fully heal after an uvulectomy. After UPPP, you may need to wait a few days before going back to work or other activities. It could take up to six weeks for you to fully recover.

Your doctor might also remove parts of your soft palate at the same time. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and recovery is fairly quick. Approximately 1 in 2 people snore. If your snores are keeping you or your partner up at night, it's possible to find relief. Here's how to stop…. Snoring may disrupt your sleep, or that of your partner.

Even if it's not bothering you too much, it's not a condition to ignore. Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Learn about sleep disorder symptoms, types, and treatment. Adenoiditis is an infection in the throat.

While bleeding after tonsillectomy can be normal, there are some instances when you should be concerned. Seek immediate care if you or your child has…. Tonsillectomy scabs develop on former tonsil tissue shortly following surgery. They usually fall off 7 to 10 days after surgery. We explain what to…. Researchers say children who undergo tonsillectomies have a higher risk of asthma and respiratory infections as adults.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Uvula Removal Surgery. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.