Struggling with Swallowing Issues for Five Years – Seeking Advice on Elongated Uvula
I am a 29-year-old male, standing at 172 cm tall and weighing 56 kg. I do not smoke and do not have any chronic health issues to my knowledge. For the past five years, specifically since March 2020, I've been facing significant challenges with swallowing. My throat, particularly my uvula and neck area, has been the source of this ongoing problem. The trouble began when I worked at a stone crushing facility where I was exposed to stone dust for well over ten hours, even while wearing an N95 mask for protection. Upon returning home from work, I discovered a sizable lump on my neck that resembled a swollen lymph node. Shortly thereafter, I noticed that my uvula had become elongated to the point that it rests against my tongue. Since that incident, the length of my uvula has remained unchanged, and I have experienced a continuous struggle to swallow. Interestingly, I find that if I sleep on my left side and then wake up to eat, I am able to swallow without difficulty, which makes breakfast my most substantial meal of the day. However, the trouble with swallowing typically resurfaces later on. At this point, I'm feeling quite lost regarding how to proceed. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
3/24/2025, 11:10:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you've been facing this persistent swallowing issue for such a long time. It's understandable to feel lost when dealing with ongoing health concerns. Let's break this down and address your situation.
Main Points:
Your difficulty swallowing could be related to the elongation of your uvula and potentially other factors stemming from your previous work exposure. Given that you experience some improvement based on your sleeping position, there are practical steps you can take to manage your symptoms.
Explanation:
The uvula is part of the soft palate and can become elongated for various reasons, including irritation from allergens, inflammation, or infection. In your case, the exposure to stone dust could have led to persistent irritation or changes in your throat structure. The swollen lymph node you experienced might suggest that your body is responding to an irritant or an infection, which may have contributed to your swallowing difficulties.
The improvement in swallowing when sleeping on your left side may indicate a positional effect that allows for better throat alignment or less pressure on your uvula, which could be helpful to remember.
Next Steps:
-
Hydration: Keep well-hydrated throughout the day. Drink plenty of water to help keep your throat moist and minimize irritation. Avoid caffeinated and acidic drinks that could worsen throat discomfort.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Focus on eating soft or pureed foods that are easier to swallow, especially during the times you experience difficulty. Consider smoothies, soups, and yogurts to provide nutrition without straining your swallowing.
-
Warm Saltwater Gargles: Gargling with warm salt water may help in reducing throat inflammation and providing temporary relief. Do this once or twice a day.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a diary of your swallowing difficulties. Note when it worsens, any accompanying symptoms (like pain or swelling), and how different foods or positions affect your swallowing. This can help identify patterns to avoid triggers.
-
Avoid Irritants: Since you mention a history of exposure to stone dust, try to limit exposure to any similar irritants in your environment. Use air purifiers indoors and wear appropriate masks if needed.
-
Positioning: Consider maintaining a side-sleeping position (similar to your left side) and explore different angles while eating to find what works best for you.
If symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms arise, it's important to seek medical advice for further evaluation, as a healthcare professional may want to assess your throat and uvula properly. You should not ignore significant changes, especially if swallowing becomes painful or if you experience rapid weight loss.
Take this one step at a time, and remember you're taking important actions toward better management of your swallowing issues. I'm here if you need further assistance or clarity on any of these points.
Related Questions
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Exploring Probiotic Effects and Antibiotic Strategies in Gut Health
Greetings, M30. Is it possible that consuming an excess of probiotics could lead to SIBO or a similar condition? Earlier this summer, I suffered from a campylobacter infection, and in an attempt to remedy that without realizing its full extent, I resorted to high doses of probiotics. This approach, however, only aggravated my situation. I experienced severe bloating, intensified brain fog—especially after consuming carbohydrates—and following a comprehensive examination of possible causes, including an initially misleading negative test for c. jejuni that later revealed IgG antibodies in my blood, I was prescribed rifaximin (200mg four times a day). Unfortunately, after five days of rifaximin treatment, my symptoms escalated dramatically, resulting in excruciating lower abdominal pain and a marked intolerance to carbohydrates. Through my research, I discovered that the probiotic strains I had been using were sensitive to antibiotics, so I requested that my physician switch my medication to amoxicillin, which promptly resolved the issues I was facing. Complicating matters, I later learned that I had been contending with an acute bartonella infection, which likely contributed to my motility problems. As the year progressed, I indulged in kimchi after having been on antibiotics for bartonella treatment for about a month. However, I had to stop the antibiotics over the Christmas holidays when I developed rashes from herpes on my face and required alternative treatment. Following my kimchi overindulgence, I began to experience bloating again, cognitive fog intensified, and I felt a toxin-like sensation after consuming larger amounts of carbohydrates, alongside a newfound intolerance to wheat products. My doctor once again prescribed rifaximin as the primary treatment, but I am starting to notice that familiar acidic sensation in my abdomen returning. Is this reaction indicative of die-off symptoms, or could it mean that rifaximin is targeting competitors of the kimchi bacteria in my gut, resulting in their proliferation and creating a cycle where lactic acid bacteria alter the colon's pH, promoting further growth of lactic acid producers? I suspect this situation mirrors what transpired during the summer months. Would switching back to amoxicillin be advisable, or might I need to consider amoxiclav instead, given that the kimchi contained fish sauce which might be a source of beta-lactamase? Best wishes,
Eight Years of Persistent ‘Hunger’—Is It a Functional Gut Disorder?
Greetings everyone, I’m a 28-year-old woman standing at 5 feet 4 inches, and for nearly eight years, I have struggled with a constant, hollow sensation in my upper abdomen that resembles hunger. Here are some key points about my experience: - This sensation arises between meals or soon after I have eaten. - It gets momentarily better after eating but eventually returns. - Though it feels like hunger, I know it's not genuine hunger. - Mornings are especially tough as the sensation intensifies. I maintain a regular meal schedule and consume enough calories without any restrictions. Currently, I find it difficult to trust my hunger cues, so I'm tracking my calorie intake. I do not take any medications and have previously used proton pump inhibitors without any noticeable improvement. Additionally, I neither smoke nor consume alcohol. Visits to my general practitioner have yielded no definitive diagnosis, with much of the feedback being centered on dietary adjustments. I am currently facing a waiting period of approximately eight months for a gastroscopy. Strangely, I also notice that I feel particularly weak during my workouts, despite my calorie intake being sufficient. Has anyone else faced a similar long-term issue? Did you find it to be functional dyspepsia, gastritis, visceral hypersensitivity, or something entirely different? Were you able to obtain assistance through a gastroenterologist, a dietitian, or therapy? Thanks for your insights!