Medical history to help diagnose laryngitis
Your doctor will want to determine whether your symptoms are related to typical conditions that cause laryngitis: an upper respiratory tract infection (such as a cold), a strained voice, irritants in your environment, or gastroesophageal reflux.
If an upper respiratory infection is suspected, your doctor may ask:
- Do you have a stuffed or runny nose?
- Have you had a fever recently?
- Are you getting over a cold or have you had one recently?
Strained voice:
- Have you recently attended a concert, game, or other event where you shouted or talked loudly?
- Do you have a job that requires you to talk a lot?
- Do you sing as a career or hobby?
Environmental irritants:
- Do you have any known allergies?
- Do you smoke cigarettes or are you frequently around someone who smokes?
- Do you work with chemicals?
Gastroesophageal reflux:
- Have you recently had heartburn? If so, how often?
- What time do you usually eat dinner?
- How much caffeine do you usually drink each day?
- How often do you drink alcohol?
You will also be asked questions about how long you've had symptoms and if they come back frequently. Because laryngitis usually is a temporary condition, symptoms that have lasted for longer than 2 weeks or that come back often may be related to another problem.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: January 20, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology | |
 | ||
| |