Your vocal chords help you speak with ease. When they’re swollen or infected, you can experience troubling symptoms that affect not only your voice, but your ability to breathe normally. If you’re experiencing ongoing or severe symptoms, proper diagnosis and treatment are important. Guadalupe ENT in Seguin and New Braunfels, Texas is pleased to provide effective options.
There are many disorders that affect the voice, causing symptoms such as hoarseness, pain, and swelling. There are many such conditions, including:
If you experience voice-related symptoms, a diagnosis will likely start with a head, neck, and laryngeal exam. Dr. Hennessee reviews your medical history and symptoms and may order specialized tests to rule out or confirm various conditions.
Acute laryngitis generally improves on its own within a week or so, without any medical treatment. Chronic laryngitis treatments aim to address the underlying cause. Antibiotics typically don’t help at all, because the infection is caused by a virus. In some cases, corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation.
In addition to any needed medical care, a variety of self-care steps can minimize throat pain and inflammation affecting the vocal chords. These include:
Some of the health plans that we are contracted with include PPO's for Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boon-Chapman, Healthsmart, Humana, Texas True Choice, and United Healthcare. We are also a provider for Traditional Medicare, and some Medicare Advantage plans. If your insurance is not listed, please contact you insurance provider to find out if Guadalupe ENT works with your plan.