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My uvula (the thing at the back of my throat) is swollen and red. How do I reduce the inflammation?
I doubt it's an infection because I was just on antibiotics for something else. And I also have rhinitis so it's probably because I'm sleeping with my mouth open. I already know about Ibuprofen but I'm looking for something that won't destroy my stomach, especially if you've used it yourself and it's worked. Thank you so much!
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Not a doc.
Anecdotal -
Gargling with peroxide or salt water.
Avoid wheat, dairy, meat and other heavy foods.
Avoid acidic beverages like orange juice (sorry mom).
I like warm (not hot), strong chamomile tea.
Since you were on antibiotics, you need to see a doctor if the inflammation doesn't subside in a few days. See a doctor sooner if you have a fever of 102-degrees or above, are light headed, have chest pain or difficulty breathing, a severe headache, or a visible lump in your mouth or throat.
Also, Ibuprofen doesn't "destroy your stomach," and appears to have the lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of all the non-selective NSAIDs. However, this only holds true at lower doses of ibuprofen, so over-the-counter preparations of ibuprofen are generally labeled to advise a maximum daily dose of 1,200 mg. Stick with that and you should be fine (call your pharmacist if you have questions about ibuprofen and to verify this type of information).
Anecdotal -
Gargling with peroxide or salt water.
Avoid wheat, dairy, meat and other heavy foods.
Avoid acidic beverages like orange juice (sorry mom).
I like warm (not hot), strong chamomile tea.
Since you were on antibiotics, you need to see a doctor if the inflammation doesn't subside in a few days. See a doctor sooner if you have a fever of 102-degrees or above, are light headed, have chest pain or difficulty breathing, a severe headache, or a visible lump in your mouth or throat.
Also, Ibuprofen doesn't "destroy your stomach," and appears to have the lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of all the non-selective NSAIDs. However, this only holds true at lower doses of ibuprofen, so over-the-counter preparations of ibuprofen are generally labeled to advise a maximum daily dose of 1,200 mg. Stick with that and you should be fine (call your pharmacist if you have questions about ibuprofen and to verify this type of information).
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This answer has many different suggestions that i find useful.
Anyway i think it turns out I caught a cold and it's not my allergies after all. Over the day my symptoms slowly worsened into general icky cold symptoms. Thanks to everyone and I will take your advice so I can survive this week!
Anyway i think it turns out I caught a cold and it's not my allergies after all. Over the day my symptoms slowly worsened into general icky cold symptoms. Thanks to everyone and I will take your advice so I can survive this week!
voted helpful: dumblonde, me myself and i
Thanks for the answer. I know Ibuprofen isn't that bad for your stomach (I actually just took some because I couldn't take the pain) but my stomach's in pretty bad shape because of the antibiotics I was taking for something completely unrelated (UTI) so I can't be aggravating it. And now this. I've just been sick all week with random things :-( I guess it's stress and the fact that spring does a number on my allergies.
Tip dumblonde for this comment
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I'm NOT A DOCTOR. Here's some anecdotal health suggestions:
Honey, just a teaspoon or two. Honey is a great soothing remedy and it's all natural. (But read my next tip before mixing it in hot tea)...
Next, for redness and inflammation, I'd simply suggest cool or cold drinks - like water or anything mild - not hot drinks, which could aggravate your sore uvula even more.
Good luck. Feel better.
Honey, just a teaspoon or two. Honey is a great soothing remedy and it's all natural. (But read my next tip before mixing it in hot tea)...
Next, for redness and inflammation, I'd simply suggest cool or cold drinks - like water or anything mild - not hot drinks, which could aggravate your sore uvula even more.
Good luck. Feel better.
source(s):
Life
I am NOT A DOCTOR
Life
I am NOT A DOCTOR
voted helpful: dumblonde, me myself and i
Thanks for the honey tip. My sister just bought some yesterday actually so i might steal some!
I'm not a doctor, but I've spent a lot of time with people in my family who are or otherwise work in the medical field. But this could be pretty simple.
It could be a viral or fungal infection, because antibiotics only affect bacteria. Gargling with salt water can help; drinking warm water with raw honey and apple cider vinegar can also help fight infections. So can using coconut oil as a rinse (it melts at 76F so even if it's solid coming from the jar you can still sort of "gargle" with it). Several peer-reviewed studies have now shown that the major fatty acid in coconut oil is effect against 29 classes of viruses; several bacteria and several fungi.
It could be a viral or fungal infection, because antibiotics only affect bacteria. Gargling with salt water can help; drinking warm water with raw honey and apple cider vinegar can also help fight infections. So can using coconut oil as a rinse (it melts at 76F so even if it's solid coming from the jar you can still sort of "gargle" with it). Several peer-reviewed studies have now shown that the major fatty acid in coconut oil is effect against 29 classes of viruses; several bacteria and several fungi.
source(s):
Hierholzer, J.C. and Kabara, J.J. In vitro effects of monolaurin compounds on enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. Journal of Food Safety 4:1-12;1982.
Fletcher RD, Albers AC, Albertson JN, Kabara JJ. Effects of monoglycerides on mycoplasma pneumoniae growth, in The Pharmacological Effect of Lipids II (JJ Kabara, ed) American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign IL, 1985, pp.59-63.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119009452/abstract?CRETRY=1&... Just one of many studies showing how lauric acid inhibits bacterial growth (lauric acid is about 57% of the composition of coconut oil)
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/sore-throat-home-treatment
On honey as medicine:
http://live.psu.edu/story/27584 Penn State University College of Medicine's study from 2007
http://www.prohealthcare.org/wellness/health-news/health-tips/honey-of-a-si... Sites both the study above and University of Ottawa's study echoing the results
Hierholzer, J.C. and Kabara, J.J. In vitro effects of monolaurin compounds on enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. Journal of Food Safety 4:1-12;1982.
Fletcher RD, Albers AC, Albertson JN, Kabara JJ. Effects of monoglycerides on mycoplasma pneumoniae growth, in The Pharmacological Effect of Lipids II (JJ Kabara, ed) American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign IL, 1985, pp.59-63.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119009452/abstract?CRETRY=1&... Just one of many studies showing how lauric acid inhibits bacterial growth (lauric acid is about 57% of the composition of coconut oil)
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/sore-throat-home-treatment
On honey as medicine:
http://live.psu.edu/story/27584 Penn State University College of Medicine's study from 2007
http://www.prohealthcare.org/wellness/health-news/health-tips/honey-of-a-si... Sites both the study above and University of Ottawa's study echoing the results
voted helpful: dumblonde
Viral true. Like a cold or something. I think it's most likely a cold or allergies. I have stuffy nose, sneezing a bit of a cough and lots of phlegm.
Fungal's unlikely (and super scary) because the only people that tend to get fungal infections in the throat or respiratory system have compromised immune systems. People with normal immune systems tend to only have minor fungal infections like vaginal yeast and athlete's foot. :-D The antibiotics may have triggered fungal infection of the throat but I've been eating yogurt and I don't think the symptoms are compatible with throat yeast infection. I've also only been on them for a week and for something totally unrelated (UTI).
Wow. Coconut oil. I had never heard of that remedy before. I don't even know where you find it! Is it in the grocery store?
I'll read up on the honey articles. That seems interesting! Thanks a lot.
Fungal's unlikely (and super scary) because the only people that tend to get fungal infections in the throat or respiratory system have compromised immune systems. People with normal immune systems tend to only have minor fungal infections like vaginal yeast and athlete's foot. :-D The antibiotics may have triggered fungal infection of the throat but I've been eating yogurt and I don't think the symptoms are compatible with throat yeast infection. I've also only been on them for a week and for something totally unrelated (UTI).
Wow. Coconut oil. I had never heard of that remedy before. I don't even know where you find it! Is it in the grocery store?
I'll read up on the honey articles. That seems interesting! Thanks a lot.
The WebMD article you sent me has reflux as a cause of sore throat. That can be aggravating it too. The antibiotics I was on gave me ridiculous, awful heartburn. Meh. this sucks.
Most health food stores have it. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, their store brand is excellent and pretty inexpensive. Nutiva is the brand most people familiar with coconut oil like best and the one you'll probably see most frequently. Tropical Traditions makes their own using traditional methods. The Spectrum Naturals, though, is not very good, unless they've recently changed their methods. Most coconut oil is made from smoked, dried coconut meat, but Nutiva (which makes the Vitamin Shoppe store label) and Tropical Traditions are made from fresh, whole coconuts. I mean, if you're going to sort of gargle with it, it needs to taste pleasant!
Cool, there's a Vitamin Shoppe in the mall. I have to admit, it sounds a little gross. I'll try the honey first but if honey and other stuff don't work I'll try the coconut oil.
I have trouble with nasal drip on nights after I use my lawn tractor (allergy). One way that I relieve the irritation is to place a menthol cough drop at the side of my mouth before I lay down. Gradually the cough drop dissolves and prevents the irritation. I wonder if that might work on your problem.
I've found nothing beats acetaminophen (Tylenol) for taking care of general inflammation. Works a lot better than Ibuprofen for the various throat ailments I've battled over the years.
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