Hello, I'm Dr. Smith, a pulmonologist with over 20 years of experience in diagnosing and treating respiratory illnesses.

A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your airways, which include your trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. This is done by inserting a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope into the mouth or nose and down into the airways.

There are several reasons why you might have a bronchoscopy. It can be used to:

* Diagnose lung conditions: The bronchoscope can be used to take biopsies of tissue in the airways, which can be examined under a microscope to identify the cause of a lung condition. For instance, it can help diagnose lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
* Evaluate symptoms: If you are experiencing persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, a bronchoscopy can help determine the underlying cause of these symptoms.
* Remove foreign objects: A bronchoscope can be used to remove foreign objects that have become lodged in the airways, such as a piece of food or a small toy.
* Treat lung conditions: In some cases, a bronchoscope can be used to treat certain lung conditions. For example, a bronchoscope can be used to dilate narrowed airways, remove mucus plugs, or deliver medication directly to the lungs.

The reasons for a bronchoscopy are very specific to each individual. Your physician would have explained the reason for recommending the procedure to you.

If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your physician. They can provide you with the best information based on your individual situation.
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Common reasons to do a bronchoscopy for diagnosis are: An imaging test showed abnormal changes of your lung, such as a growth or tumor, changes or scarring of lung tissue, or collapse of one area of your lung. To biopsy lymph nodes near your lungs. To see why you are coughing up blood.read more >>