Laryngitis
Laryngitis often gets better without treatment, so you don't usually need to see your GP unless you have particularly severe or long-lasting symptoms.
If you see your GP with laryngitis, they ' ll discuss with you what could be causing the condition, including:
Your GP may refer you for blood tests andtake a throat swab using a small cotton budon a plastic shaft. This isto check for a possibleviral, bacterial or fungal infection.
They may also examine your larynx using a mirror to look for redness or swelling.
If your GP thinks you need to see a specialist, they may refer you toan ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for some of the tests described below.
A laryngoscopy is a test that involves examining your larynx using a thin tube containing a camera and light source ( endoscope ), which canbe passedinto your throat through either your nose or mouth. This test allowsyour doctor to assess any damage to your larynx.
Laryngoscopies carried out throughthe nose are not painful, but it can be uncomfortable andthe tube may trigger your gag reflex, which can make you feel like you want to be sick (it's highly unlikely that you actually will be sick). Local anaesthetic can be used to numb your nose and throat, which should help reduce these feelings.
If you're having persistent problems with your voice, you might be asked to talk or sing while your larynx is examined. This may help your doctor determine why you're having problems with your voice.
For laryngoscopies carried out throughthe mouth, general anaesthetic is used. This means you'll be asleep during the examination. You can often go home on the day you have this procedure, although an overnight stay in hospital is sometimes recommended.
Your ENT specialist may also want to make sure your symptoms aren't the result of laryngeal cancer .
Alcohol and tobacco are the two main things that can increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer.The more you drink or smoke, the higher your risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal canceris uncommon, but it's important to confirm it or rule it out quickly because the sooner laryngeal cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.
Tests your ENT specialist may recommend to check for laryngeal cancer include:
Other tests that may also be carried out include:
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). Symptoms of laryngitis can begin suddenly and usually get worse over a period of two to three days
Laryngitis occurs when the larynx (voice box) becomes irritated and inflamed (swollen). It is mostly caused by an infection or damage to the larynx.
Laryngitis often gets better without treatment, so you don't usually need to see your GP unless you have particularly severe or long-lasting symptoms.
In most cases, laryngitis gets better within a week without treatment. See your GP if your symptoms dare severe or haven't improved after two weeks