If you experience any of the above symptoms, mainly if they are severe or worsening, it's important to seek medical attention. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and help prevent complications.

Do's

• Follow Fasting Instructions: To minimize the risk of aspiration, adhere to your doctor's guidance regarding fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure.
• Inform About Medications: Inform your doctor about all your medications, including blood thinners, anticoagulants, and supplements.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose loose, comfortable clothing and avoid jewelry, makeup, or contact lenses.
• Provide Complete Medical History: Share your medical history with your healthcare provider, including any allergies, respiratory conditions, or past reactions to anesthesia.
• Report Symptoms: Notify the medical team if you experience a cold, fever, or other respiratory symptoms.
• Follow Post-Procedure Instructions: Adhere to any guidelines given by your healthcare provider post-procedure, particularly if biopsies were performed.

Don'ts

• Avoid Smoking Before the Procedure: To prevent lung irritation, avoid smoking for at least 24 hours before the bronchoscopy.
• Avoid Eating or Drinking Too Soon After the Procedure: Because of numbness in your throat, please wait for your healthcare provider's approval before eating or drinking to prevent choking.
• Don't Drive or Operate Heavy Machinery. Post-Procedure: The effects of sedation may persist for several hours; therefore, refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until fully alert.
• Don't Hesitate to Ask Questions: If you have any uncertainties regarding any aspect of the procedure or recovery process, contact your healthcare provider for clarification.
• Avoid Strenuous Activities: Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities until your doctor clears them following the procedure.
• Don't Ignore Post-Procedure Symptoms: Seek medical attention immediately if experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or a high fever after the bronchoscopy.

NOTE:

Our medical content authors have diligently gathered and synthesized information on this topic to offer valuable insights to our readers. Drawing from a range of reputable medical journals and health resources, this content aims to enhance understanding of the subject. It's important to remember that while this information is informative, it should not replace personalized consultation or treatment from a qualified physician. For further details, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

For this topic, our authors used some of the following resources:

1. MedlinePlus (.gov) | Bronchoscopy
2. National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) | Bronchoscopy
3. American Lung Association | Bronchoscopy
4. American Cancer Society | Bronchoscopy Procedure
5. National Cancer Institute (.gov) | bronchoscopy​​​​​​​