Laryngitis will often get 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 will discuss with you what could be causing the condition, including:

• overusing your voice
• smoking
• misusing alcohol
• allergies

Your GP may refer you for blood tests and take a small tissue sample from your throat using a swab (a small cotton bud on a plastic shaft). This is to check for a possible viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

They may also examine your larynx using a mirror to look for redness or swelling.

Seeing a specialist

If your GP thinks you need to see a specialist, they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for some of the tests described below.

Laryngoscopy

A laryngoscopy is a test that involves examining your larynx using a thin tube containing a camera and light source (endoscope), which can be passed into your throat through either your nose or mouth. This test allows your doctor to assess any damage to your larynx.

Laryngoscopies carried out through the nose are not painful, but it can be uncomfortable and the tube may trigger your gag reflex, which can make you feel like you want to be sick (but it is highly unlikely that you will be sick). Local anaesthetic can be used to numb your nose and throat, which should help reduce these sensations.

If you are having persistent problems with your voice, you might be asked to talk or sing while your larynx is examined. This may help you doctor determine why you are having problems with your voice.

For laryngoscopies carried out through the mouth, general anaesthetic is used. This means you will be asleep during the examination. You can usually go home on the day you have this procedure, although an overnight stay in hospital is sometimes recommended.

Testing for laryngeal cancer

Your ENT specialist may also want to make sure your symptoms are not the result of laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal cancer is uncommon, but it is 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:

• computerised tomography (CT) scan - a series of X-rays are taken and assembled by a computer into a more detailed ‘3D’ image of your throat
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan - strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used to produce detailed scans of the inside of your throat
• biopsy - where a sample of tissue is taken during a laryngoscopy to check for the presence of cancerous cells

Other tests

Other tests that may also be carried out include:

• a skin allergy test to check whether you have an allergy to certain substances
• chest and neck X-ray to check for any abnormalities, such as an unusual narrowing or swelling of your larynx

Acute

Acute means occurring suddenly or over a short period of time.

Benign

Benign refers to a condition that should not become life-threatening. In relation to tumours, benign means not cancerous.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a test that involves taking a small sample of tissue from the body so it can be examined.

Nodules

A nodule is a small growth or lump of tissue.

Pain

Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional feeling that your body produces as a warning sign that it has been damaged.

Tissue

Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.