How do you fix a bifid uvula?

Many people lead healthy, normal lives with a bifid uvula and need no treatment. If a bifid uvula is causing symptoms, a doctor may recommend speech and feeding therapies from qualified professionals.

Is a bifid uvula rare?

A bifid or bifurcated uvula exists in two percent of the general population. Its significance lies in its associations: recurrent otitis media, submucous cleft palate, and in rare cases, aortic aneurysm and rupture at an early age.

What does it mean if your uvula is split?

What is Bifid Uvula? A bifid uvula, also known as a cleft uvula, is a uvula that is split in two. The distance between the two halves of the uvula may be narrow or wide. A bifid uvula may be an isolated, benign finding, or it may be related to submucous cleft palate.

Does uvula have effective function?

Your uvula is made of connective tissue, glands, and small muscle fibers. It secretes large amounts of saliva that keep your throat moist and lubricated. It also helps keep food or fluids from ending up in the space behind your nose when you swallow.

What happens if your uvula is touching your tongue?

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 eating.

Can you talk without a uvula?

The authors hypothesized that because the uvula and the ability to speak set humans apart from other mammals, the uvula might have a role in the speech process. An acquired absent uvula may be secondary to surgery or cultural practices, or it may be a complication of infection.

Do we need the uvula?

Uvulas are actually infinitely useful to us humans, because they play a role in our swallowing, speech, and saliva production. They also play a key role in whether or not we snore, so read on if you want to tackle that particular life challenge.

Why is my uvula touching tongue?

Symptoms of Uvulitis When you have uvulitis, your uvula will feel sore and appear red and inflamed. Your uvula may even touch your tongue or throat, making it feel as if something is stuck in the back of your throat. In some cases, the sound of your voice may also be affected.

Can you remove a uvula?

Uvula removal is done with a procedure called an uvulectomy. This removes all or part of the uvula. It’s usually done to treat snoring or some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When you sleep, your uvula vibrates.

What if your uvula is touching your tongue?

What causes a large uvula?

Your uvula might be bigger because of seasonal allergies to grass or pollen. Or the swelling might be because of dust or pet dander. Certain foods, such as milk, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and eggs, can cause allergic reactions, too.

Should I go to the ER for a swollen uvula?

If you are experiencing an uncomplicated case of a swollen uvula, drinking cold fluids or sucking/eating ice chips may ease your pain and help the swelling to go down. But if the uvula swells so much that you can’t swallow or talk, or you have difficulty breathing, you should go to the nearest emergency room.

What do you need to know about bifid uvula?

Everything You Should Know About Bifid Uvula 1 Overview. A bifid uvula is an uvula that is split, or forked… 2 Symptoms. A bifid uvula can be seen upon visual examination of older children and adults. 3 Causes. A bifid uvula is sometimes referred to as the mildest form of a cleft palate.

Which is mildest form of cleft palate or bifid uvula?

A bifid uvula is sometimes referred to as the mildest form of a cleft palate. A cleft palate is birth defects and occurs when there is a hole in the roof of a baby’s mouth. Bifid uvula affects 2 percent of the population. Those of certain races, including Native Americans and Asians, are more prone to it.

Can a bifid uvula cause recurrent ear infections?

This occurs because the soft palate doesn’t properly move to the back of the throat, allowing air to escape through the nose when talking. Another symptom of a bifid uvula may be recurrent ear infections, but many doctors say this link, if any, isn’t strong. More studies are needed to support this connection.

Are there any problems with splitting the uvula?

For many of these people, the splitting of the uvula will cause no problems. If it does cause issues with speech or eating, speech and feeding therapies or surgery may be recommended.