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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Epiglottis?

I have been on anti acid medication for 6 months. I rang the doctor about a month ago as i could see my epiglottis and could feel it. They told me not to worry it sometimes swells but will go back down. A month on its still the same. And when i breath in deeply you can hear it flapping, also my throat is always dry and i can constantly feel it and am no longer able to lay on my back as it restricts my airway. Its really getting me down. Will it ever go back to normal?
posted on Mon, 31 Jul 2017
Twitter Mon, 18 Dec 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 18 Dec 2017 Last reviewed on
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
hi sir/mam,swelling of epiglottis is always painful and occurs due to hemophilus inflenza b or streptococcal infections.it is called epiglottitis and is associated with other symptoms like fever,difficulty in swallowing,breathing,severe pain etc.just check if you have the above symptoms.if it is so,you need to see a doctor immediately as it can cause severe respiratory obstruction.if all the above symptoms are absent,we can think of the following:
1)laryngeal masses or tumours causing displacement or swelling of epiglottis.
2)vocal cord polyps.
we can arrive at an appropriate diagnosis only with examination through an indirect laryngoscopy.this can be done by an ENT surgeon.as you are complaining of restriction of airway,please do have an ENT consultation as early as possible.already it has been 1 month and no improvement of symptoms.so please do not delay any more.hope you understand the intensity of the problem.any other questions,please let me know and i'm always here to address your concerns.thank you.take care.bye.
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What Causes Swelling In The Epiglottis?

hi sir/mam,swelling of epiglottis is always painful and occurs due to hemophilus inflenza b or streptococcal infections.it is called epiglottitis and is associated with other symptoms like fever,difficulty in swallowing,breathing,severe pain etc.just check if you have the above symptoms.if it is so,you need to see a doctor immediately as it can cause severe respiratory obstruction.if all the above symptoms are absent,we can think of the following: 1)laryngeal masses or tumours causing displacement or swelling of epiglottis. 2)vocal cord polyps. we can arrive at an appropriate diagnosis only with examination through an indirect laryngoscopy.this can be done by an ENT surgeon.as you are complaining of restriction of airway,please do have an ENT consultation as early as possible.already it has been 1 month and no improvement of symptoms.so please do not delay any more.hope you understand the intensity of the problem.any other questions,please let me know and i m always here to address your concerns.thank you.take care.bye.