Before the appointment of bronchoscopy, the specialist should identify the patient at least one of the following symptoms:
- impaired breathing;
- traces of blood in sputum;
- causeless strong cough;
- pathological phenomena found in another study.
Also, some diseases serve as an excuse for the procedure, such as:
- tuberculosis;
- chronic bronchitis ;
- loss of airiness by alveoli and other diseases.
It is worth noting and the fact that bronchoscopy is shown to smokers with a great experience even without any obvious manifestations of malaise.
How is bronchoscopy performed?
First of all, the patient should take a comfortable position. The doctor gives recommendations on the correct breathing during the study. Then the doctor irrigates the sensitive part of the throat with a local anesthetic. When the sensitivity decreases, the bronchoscope is slowly and neatly inserted. The tube of the apparatus is so small that in no way will it break the breath.
The patient's position can be either sitting or reclining. Thanks to the monitor, the doctor can read the bronchoscope readings, and at the same time control the oxygen level, the heart rate, the arterial pressure of the patient. The procedure lasts not more than one hour. If necessary, the doctor has the opportunity to do tissue biopsy, it will not be felt by the patient.
Preparation for bronchoscopy
The main rule is to not eat food in the evening. If the patient is very suspicious and prone to stress, it is better to take sedatives before going to bed and just before performing bronchoscopy of the lungs. You can drink in the evening, but in the morning - it is better not to use any liquid at all. Before the examination, removable dental prostheses must be removed.