Sleep Apnea
While your uvula assists you with many essential functions, it can also be an accomplice in snoring. Your soft palate muscles, tongue, and throat relax when you transition to deep sleep. When your throat muscles relax too much, they can block your airway, creating an audible vibration, or snoring. But snoring could be a sign of a more significant issue — obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder where your breathing randomly stops and starts while sleeping. Symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Gasping for breath when you sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- More dry and sore mouth
- Irritability
- Nighttime sweating
You're at a higher risk if you're overweight, diabetic, or experience elevated blood pressure. If you feel you're experiencing OSA, see your doctor right away, as it could lead to heart disease if not treated.
If you've got a perfectly healthy uvula, you may never notice it hanging down in the back of your soft palate. However, if it becomes inflamed or you're experiencing signs of sleep apnea, it's time to make an appointment with your doctor.