Endoscopy is a procedure that allows you to look inside the body and for this an endoscope is used, which is a probe or flexible, long and thin tube that at the end is connected to a very small light and camera to direct this instrument correctly through cavities and tissue to the area of interest. It is a very simple procedure that does not usually take more than 30 minutes, depending on the area to be explored.
Likewise, there are several types of endoscopy and depending on which one you submit to, the doctor’s instructions on the care that should be taken before and after it will be different. In some it is strict that the person is fasting or follow a special diet, while others do not need a particular measure. However, a very common requirement is that smokers abstain from this habit before undergoing the procedure, but they have the question, can I smoke after an endoscopy ? To know this answer you can continue reading this article from FastlyHeal .
Table of Contents
What is endoscopy for?
The endoscope is a medical instrument by which it is possible to observe in detail some part of the body, while at the same time, through the tube or probe, small instruments can be inserted that help the specialist to take a tissue sample, extract some material that It should not be in that place, eliminate tumors, stop some bleeding, treat diseases, among others.
It is especially indicated because it is a minimally invasive procedure and it is the preferred option if the result is equal to or better than open surgery. This is because, unlike surgery that is usually performed with cuts of considerable size to reach the area to be treated and that recovery can be slow, for endoscopy the probe is inserted through natural openings such as the mouth, the urethra and anus or a small incision is made, which heals quickly.
Likewise, there are several types of endoscopy according to the area to be examined and each of them is used to detect or treat numerous alterations. The most commons are:
- The bronchoscopy to the respiratory system.
- The upper endoscopy pathways or EGD including the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine
- The laparoscopy to observe the abdominal organs like the appendix or ovaries.
- The colonoscopy in the case of the colon and rectum.
- the anoscopy to examine the lining of the anus.
Preparation for endoscopy
Depending on the type of endoscopy, the instructions that the doctor makes before undergoing the procedure will vary. However, if these are not performed as indicated, the result may be altered, so the examination may have to be done again on another date. In general, preparation for endoscopy may include:
- Fasting for 4 to 12 hours before the procedure. This time may vary depending on the type of endoscopy.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol from the day before the endoscopy.
- Stop taking certain medications the day of the procedure or the day before, such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, blood thinners, antidepressants, drugs for high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Do not chew bubblegum.
- A bowel examination may indicate emptying the bowels with a laxative or enema and drinking plenty of clear liquids 1 to 3 days prior to the endoscopy.
Can I smoke after endoscopy?
In some types of endoscopy, the patient is strictly required not to smoke for at least 12 hours prior to performing the procedure, especially in bronchoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This is because this habit, like alcohol and other stimulant substances, can interact with the administration of anesthetic and sedatives, whether it is general or local, and affect the functions of the liver, heart or lungs.
The application of anesthetics is to prevent the patient from feeling discomfort during the procedure, so its effect is to relax the reflexes and the body’s defenses. Therefore, if you have smoked a couple of hours before the endoscopy, the harmful substances that accompany the cigarette can react with the relaxation of the body and there is a risk of presenting complications during or after the endoscopy, especially if in addition to exploring inside, a procedure is carried out such as the elimination or treatment of any alteration in the area of interest.
While this is a very strict rule in patient preparation, some people may wonder, can I smoke after an endoscopy ? This, like other post-procedure care, will depend on the type of endoscopy and the reason it was performed.
In general, it is advisable not to smoke after an endoscopy, at least not immediately because the effect of sedatives can take several hours to completely wear off. Likewise, after the procedure, the patient is usually transferred to a recovery area to monitor blood pressure and pulse, the wait can be one hour in which sedation decreases and as it is an outpatient procedure it is not necessary to spend the night in the medical center, but as long as the patient remains in it the patient will not be able to smoke.
However, even if you are discharged it does not mean that you should not take certain care, since the effect of the sedative can prevent you from performing your daily activities correctly. It is important not to smoke before restoring nutrition , which is usually slow in the first hours after the procedure, this is to avoid post-endoscopy side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Another reason why you cannot smoke after the endoscopy is that if the tube was inserted through the mouth, the throat is likely to be swollen and you will feel pain , the symptoms of which may disappear in 1 or 2 days. These discomforts can be intensified or prolonged by the effect of the irritating substances in cigarettes, it is best to wait until you are fully recovered.
The appropriate thing is that after undergoing an endoscopy the patient does not smoke during the first 24 hours , however, if you are a smoker you should consult the specialist directly about this question, since recovery times may depend on several factors such as mentioned above or in these cases it could indicate smoking in a small amount after a certain time.
Care after endoscopy
Other necessary care that the patient should consider once discharged are:
- Wait at least an hour after the procedure before drinking liquids and eating, it is appropriate to start drinking small sips and when it is easier to chew include small amounts of food.
- Monitor the site where the sedative was placed in the IV for redness or swelling.
- Ask the specialist when to resume taking medication if he was under any other treatment.
- Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery for the next 24 hours.
- Do not go to work for the rest of the day, since due to the sedation you will not be able to perform functions or make decisions correctly.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I smoke after an endoscopy? , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.