Blue Cyanosed Uvula in Sleep Apnea Patient

Blue uvula in Snoring and Sleep apnea patients

The uvula can also contribute to snoring or heavy breathing during sleep; having an elongated and thickened uvula can cause vibrations which lead to snoring. The uvula has its own little muscle, the musculus uvulae, to help it stiffen and change shape, so it helps fill in the space at the back of the throat.

Blue uvula is a classical sign in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. The oxygen saturation is very low in these patients. A PSG-Sleep study in these patients confirms very low oxygen saturation level.

Blue uvula, large tongue base ad retrognathia are 3 bad signs of OSA. The color of the soft palate changes after OSA surgery. Most of these patients look bluish-cyanosed look on their face before surgery but after surgery they look brighter.