I am a 40 year old male. I sing professionally in the studio. I have noticed
that i get the feeling when i swallow that the uvula tends to touch the back
of the tongue then i can feel it pull off the tongue. When i breathe in from
time to time, especially if the mouth is more closed and relaxed i can feel it
as if it is in the way. One doctor said it looked normal, but normal to one is
not normal to another. The question i had is...Am i experiencing a normal
thing.
Even if the uvula is normal can it hit the back of my tongue if my palate
tends to fall or relax too much? I had a tonsillectomy when i was 19 and
they had to redo the right side because of a blood clot. When they sutured
the areas together after removing the tonsils, could they have pulled the
upper palate area down to the point where as i swallow it drops allowing the
avereage size uvual to become a bother? Is this something that a laser
assisted procedure could correct or am i best as a singer not doing anything.
I understand that the laup procedure is done with sleep apnea situations.
My wife says i do not snore, but it bothers me from time to time when i feel
the uvula. I should note it is not swollen and i have had tonsils and
adnoids removed and had a septum and nasal polyp surgery a couple years back.
Thanks for your advice.
Reply: ---------------------------
Some individuals have a heightened sensitivity on the tongue and pharyngeal surfaces. This is often manifest as an increased tendency to gag during dental or physician examinations of the mouth. I have even had patients who gagged whenever they brushed their own teeth. It is not uncommon for the uvula to make contact with the posterior 1/3 of the tongue - those with heightened sensitivity may be aware of this contact or even symptomatic because of it. Other potential causes of abnormal sensation in this location include post-nasal drainage, nasal airway obstruction, sinus disease, adenoidal swelling, allergy, snoring with secondary uvular edema or stretching, gastroesophageal reflux, etc.
All potential causes should be addressed before contemplating any surgical remedy - furthermore if surgery ends up being the only available solution make sure the potential benefit is greater than any potential risk.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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