Bronchoscopy, the name itself explains what it is - a procedure concerning the inspection of the bronchial passages through the nose, mouth or even through a tracheotomy. It is used to diagnose problems with the air passages in the body, especially those in the lungs, and can also be used to diagnose other conditions that involve the respiratory system. Bronchoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that requires the use of special instruments which are inflated to provide a view of the interior of the lungs. A bronchoscope is a light-weight instrument which is shaped like a tube so that its light and sound-producing capacities are clear. The instrument itself is very small and can easily be inserted through the nasal passage or the mouth.

Bronchoscopy is usually performed on people who smoke, have a lung or sinus infections, have asthma or COPD, or have an enlarged or irritated throat. However, anyone can go for bronchoscopy if he or she wants to monitor the health of their lungs. Bronchoscopy can either be done on an outpatient basis, meaning that the patient can visit the hospital for observation, or an inpatient basis, which means that the patient will stay in the hospital for the whole procedure. Bronchoscopy usually requires a week or two for recovery.

The doctor who performs bronchoscope will insert the bronchoscope through one nostril and head to the lung problems area. The patient is asked to breathe deeply through both the nostrils, take in a deep breath into one nostril then exhale through the other. This is usually done a few times to make sure that everything is going well and that there are no problems. A machine called the endoscope is used to examine the airways and the doctor monitors them for movements, reactions and any abnormal sounds.

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