What Should You Know About Bronchoscopy Before Getting One?
With advancements in the field of medical science, new diagnostic processes have been invented that can be used to study the body and its problems from the inside. For the first time in history, doctors now have the ability to see inside the body of a patient and find out the exact problems that are ailing them. Having the ability to make better diagnoses allows doctors to create more successful treatment plans that are curated to the needs of the patient. So, with that info, let’s dive into bronchoscopy and what you should know about it before getting one.
What Is Bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to look into the airway of your body. A small lighted tube known as the bronchoscope is inserted into your nose or mouth to look inside the airway of your respiratory system. There are three parts of your respiratory system that are monitored using this diagnostic process, namely the Bronchi, Larynx, and Bronchioles.
Types Of Bronchoscopy
There are two types of bronchoscopy diagnostic tests, flexible and rigid, and they are used for different purposes. Let’s learn about the two types of bronchoscopy and why they are used.
Flexible: A flexible bronchoscopy is what is generally used when you are going to get one. As the name suggests, the bronchoscope used in this test is flexible in nature. It can be used to navigate into the very small parts of your respiratory tract, such as bronchioles. Here are some of the common reasons/causes why a flexible bronchoscopy is required.
Getting medicine directly into the lungs
Placing a breathing tube to deliver oxygen to the lungs
Conducting a biopsy
Extracting secretions from lungs
Rigid: A rigid bronchoscopy is the exact opposite of flexible bronchoscopy. It uses a rigid and straight tube that is put directly into the more extensive airway tracts of your respiratory system. This type of bronchoscopy is only ordered in certain instances, such as
Performing medical procedures such as placing a stent
Controlling bleeding
Removing dead tissues (lesions)
Extracting large amounts of blood or secretions from the respiratory system
Removing foreign objects from the airway tracts
When Do Doctors Order A Bronchoscopy?
There are several cases where doctors might order a bronchoscopy to be performed. Here are some of the common scenarios where this diagnostic procedure is ordered.
Airway blockage
Persistent cough
Bronchial cancer
Vocal cord paralysis
Coughing up blood
Spots seen on chest x-rays
Lung inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
These are some of the common conditions that are diagnosed using a bronchoscopy. It should be noted that apart from diagnosis, a bronchoscopy is also used to perform other medical procedures such as
Collection of sputum
Extraction of fluids from lungs
Controlling the bleeding in bronchi
Draining pus from lungs
Placing a stent in the airway to keep it open
Removing polyps, blood, or secretions from the airway
Risks Of A Bronchoscopy Procedure
To ensure that patients don’t suffer damage to their respiratory tissue, flexible bronchoscopy is ordered most times. However, it’s crucial that you understand that any type of bronchoscopy comes with certain risks. Let’s learn about the associated risks below.
Infection
Bleeding
Hole in the airway
Pneumothorax
Irritation of airway and vocal cords
Conclusion
Given the risks associated with bronchoscopy, it’s crucial that you get your test performed by experts that are experienced in handling these tests. If you are based in or around Jodhpur, the best place for you to get this diagnostic test would be at Medipulse hospital. With years of experience handling bronchoscopy tests and expert doctors that can help you understand your test results, there is no better alternative for your bronchoscopy in Jodhpur than Medipulse Hospital. For more information, visit the hospital’s official website.