Making the Diagnosis
Laryngitis is often a symptom of some other health problem, so finding out its root cause is the first step to getting better. If your doctor finds no other health problems, knowing the cause of your throat inflammation means you can take steps to avoid getting laryngitis in the future.
When hoarseness is accompanied by a weak voice and lasts more than 3 weeks, your doctor may want to do a test on your throat to rule out cancer, especially if you're a smoker. This test, called a laryngoscopy, involves your doctor directly looking at your voice box with a mirror or a small flexible scope that goes down your nose.