Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

swollen epiglottis

Every now and then my epiglottis doenst relax like it should. I know the epiglottis works like a flap, so food and water doesnt get into the airway. It tenses up to cover the trachea and when its not working it relaxes and rest agianst the wall of the throat.
It starts with that feeling that there is something in my thoat and I need to clear it,  but I can't. I feel the need to swallow saliva every 5-10 seconds. It normally happens when I am tired due to lack of sleep and have a really dry mouth. I tonly happens late at night. Usually after midnight. I am a smoker and drink a decent amount of soft drinks, which causes my throat to be a little dryer.  I don't have any symptoms that lead me to believe this is serious such as, actual sore throat, fever, headach, or swelling anywhere else. I know any difficulty swallowing is concidered serious, but it only gets so bad, which doesn't impare my breathing, drinking, or eating. It is more annoying then anything. It is hard for me to go to sleep when it is swollen/tense. I end up staying up until I am so tired that nothing can keep me up.  I always wake up in the morning and it is back to normal. I have tired drinking thinker drinks that kind of coat my throat..like milk and thinker juices. I also take a pretty warm bath to breathe in moisture....which really helped while I was in the bath.
I'm just curious if this happens to other people and if anyone may know of any ways to soothe it?
84 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Yes I have had this Since Nov 2012. Woke up with the feeling of something in my throat.. My ear kind of hurt as well. Went to the ER two times and Two different ER's all kinds of blood work was done and all normal. Went to ENT and had a scope done he said all was normal. I asked for a cat scan, witch was done a week later. ENT called and said something was there that need close look and wanted to do an Laryngoscopy to look closer and a Biopsy. Was done in Dec 2012. All was normal.. Thank goodness. Still have feelings in throat. Gave me Prilosec, but I don't take it as I should because I do not like taking pills... I returned to ENT in July 2013 for a follow up and again he say something in my throat behind my Lingual Tonsil. He did a Biopsy in his office this time. All came back normal. My Lingual Tonsil is lg and sideways I notice that my Epiglottis hits or rubs on this Tonsil. I think this is what's causing this feeling of something in my throat. I don't know what suddenly started causing My Epiglottis to start appearing in my throat other then acid reflex that I don't feel like I have but I guess I do.. I am a very small 110 lb 52 year old female. All this stressed my out so bad that I lost 20 Pounds and got to a very skinny 90 pounds which I am still trying to gain back.. I just thank God all has came back normal and there isn't any sign of Cancer.. I can live with this as long as I know I am ok..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same thing, about every month now for about 2 weeks it feels like somethings in my throat and i can see it with a flashlight. Everytime it starts up again my tongue goes slightly numb/ tingly and i get post nasal drip. Don't know why. Ent's say its normal, er says its normal. I asked my usual doc and she says its my larynx swollen and pushing everything upwards. Not sure, but its the only answer Ive gotten. I'm also wondering if its easier to see because I have an extra large mouth. Lol. Its def not always there though, just wondering if everyones swells from time to time due to allergies or gerd ( which i have both) and I (or we) can just see it more clearly. Because doctors tend not to think its very serious.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks to everyone for sharing ... I too had the feeling that I had a 'lump' in the back of my throat ... I went to an ENT and he scoped my throat - through my nose, etc. and said I have signs of acid reflux and I was told to take Prilosec ... well it wasn't until a few days to a week LATER that I felt something additionally different in my throat and when I looked back there saw, for the first time ever, my epiglottis!! It looks like a mini tongue, behind my regular tongue.  I think it is being pushed up from the swelling and inflamation from the acid reflux.  I also wonder if it was irritated from having the scope procedure done too...  I am trying dramatic lifestyle changes and the acid reflux diet - I don't want to go the Prilosec route yet - I also prefer a more 'natural' approach and I read that Prilosec and the rest of those meds can really mess up a person's digestive system over time ...

I want to give this a little more time to see if it will improve but I may have to seek further medical attention if it does not ... I also ordered some 'natural approach' books on acid reflux and will study those as soon as I get them ... good luck to everyone dealing with this ...  
Helpful - 0
5437330 tn?1367954391
Hi Sweetstuff,

I came across this forum in search of answers to a problem I'm having.  It started about 6 weeks ago...been having dental work done removing amalgam and ended up with three root canals and crowns, one of which I had to get done twice and another, had an infection and needed antibiotics !! And I know I swallowed something ( like you do) anyway, It feels as if I have something stuck in my throat and since then my throat and esophagus feels raw!

2 weeks ago I ate some toast and it felt like it was stuck like right under my breast bone!! Awful feeling. Also i have a tight feeling between my upper part of shoulder blade ( feel is like tension) my research ( as you do) I know that's contradictory to what doc say- acid reflux is not an over amount of stomach acid, but low stomach acid. I have been swallowing a lot, seems like I had more mucus going on.. ( My 3yr and 1yr old were sick too and they love to share sneezes.. In my face lol

)So I went to the health store on Friday & found that taking HCL and probiotics and ginger/ honey tea. Aloe Vera juice- no bread products and by Sunday that lump feeling by my breast bone had gone !!

But cause of family history with thyroid problems,  I went to see an ENT yesterday, had the nasal scope done. I only had a little mucus sitting on my epiglottis ( the thing that opens and closes when you swallow) there. He prescribed me Omerarople ( antacid) which I haven't taken yet. I also made him schedule an ultrasound on my throat- waiting on results.

I am the kind of person to want to do natural remedies first... Just picked up a Manuuka honey to help with the raw feeling ( my mom swore by this). I still have that raw feeling in the throat and chest.

I am just concerned as to if I should take antacids ( they can cause more issues down the line and only mask the real problem)...I have a follow up in 4wks. I have been a little stressed of late ( my hubby will be starting a masters in the fall.. In Madison Wisconsin... And all the stress of moving I have been doing relaxation stretches which helps. I am thinking of going to see chiropractor....but with no insurance the bills are creeping up..that is stressing me too.

I loved what you had to say and will start gargling too. But if anyone on here has any other information or has had the same symptoms as me I would love their feedback.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know what's wrong with my throat. I feel as if it is just producing more mucus for me to hack up.  I cant stop spitting and it feels swore and swollen when I talk. Like something is in the way. And it makes me wanna hack up again. Anyone know what it might be ? :(
Helpful - 0
329165 tn?1515471990
Hi there,

I hope this posts finds you...

I have had a horrible time with my throat and other health issues and I have also had Doctors telling me it is in my head or even Bulimmia!  but eventually I went to see an Otolarancologist that diagnosed:  Chricopharengeal muscle dysfunction and I had a treatment (dilatation and botillium injection) and my symptoms disappeared for 2 months!!!!  and now that the injection is no longer working, I have all the old symptoms again!  swollen epiglottis, sore throat, voice issues, chest pains when I swallow food, muscles in my neck/throat going into what feels like spasms and glands that get swollen and that permanent lump in the throat!

All due to the Chricopharengeal muscle that does not work properly.

Maybe that is you answer?  I don't have the solution yet as the Botillium only works for 2 months and then you have to get it done again...

All the best and hope to hear from you.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ear, Nose & Throat Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
Discover the common causes of and treatments for a sore throat.
Learn about what actually causes your temperature to spike.
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
Family medicine doctor Enoch Choi, MD helps differentiate between the common cold and more threatening (bacterial) infections
Dr. Steven Park reveals 5 reasons why breathing through your nose could change your life