Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Swelling In The Throat With Hoarseness Of Voice?
i have been an occasional smoker (social gaterings) for years, recently went through a divorce and have been smoking a pack a day since. Recently my throat has been sore and voice hoarse. I had my physical the other day and the dr felt along the front of my throat throroughly her comment was that it was swollen but equal on both sides..she looked in my throat and said she saw nothing ..she wants a follow up mri...needless to say she has left me in a panic! So, I guess the question is during a routine physical like that would she have seen enough to express that it was imperitive i get to a dr if this was something serious? Or since things were left as sort of a just follow up when you can should i just try to relax
Thu, 3 Dec 2020
Hello,
Hoarseness can just be from acute laryngitis or from something more serious. You have a history of smoking so this makes you a good candidate to get it investigated thoroughly. Before performing MRI, it will make sense to get the endoscopic examination of the throat which is an office procedure and it gives a lot of valuable information. A primary physician will not be able to do that and you need to go to ENT doctor.
I will suggest to not delay your visit and go to the ENT Dr as soon as you can with the hope that this would just be a laryngitis. If GOD forbid there is some lesion then there are set protocols that needs to be followed to see what kind of lesion/ swelling is that, and then the treatment will pretty much depends on its histopathological nature. Meanwhile, please take care of vocal hygiene.
- Voice rest
-Take steam inhalation 3 times a day
- Tab Zyrtec
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Omair Choudhry, Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Hoarseness can just be from acute laryngitis or from something more serious. You have a history of smoking so this makes you a good candidate to get it investigated thoroughly. Before performing MRI, it will make sense to get the endoscopic examination of the throat which is an office procedure and it gives a lot of valuable information. A primary physician will not be able to do that and you need to go to ENT doctor.
I will suggest to not delay your visit and go to the ENT Dr as soon as you can with the hope that this would just be a laryngitis. If GOD forbid there is some lesion then there are set protocols that needs to be followed to see what kind of lesion/ swelling is that, and then the treatment will pretty much depends on its histopathological nature. Meanwhile, please take care of vocal hygiene.
- Voice rest
-Take steam inhalation 3 times a day
- Tab Zyrtec
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Omair Choudhry, Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
I find this answer helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on MRI
Loading Online Doctors....