Test / Diagnostic Procedure: Bronchial Provocation Tests

Bronchial provocation tests are used to evaluate lung function and the sensitivity of the airways to help diagnose asthma.

Overview

To book offline, call our Lung Specialist London centre directly on: 02036532006

Enquiries: bookings.lunghealth@onewelbeck.com

What are bronchial provocation tests?

Bronchial provocation tests can also be called bronchial challenge tests, airway provocation tests or direct challenge tests.

The tests are used to assess the sensitivity of your airways. One part of the testing involves breathing in a powder or mist that can ‘challenge’ or irritate the airways, causing the airways to narrow. If your airways are very sensitive, they will be affected by a lower dose of the irritant than people who have healthy airways. 


Why are bronchial provocation tests performed?

If you have a cough or symptoms suggestive of asthma, but other lung function tests have not confirmed the diagnosis, bronchial provocation tests may be helpful in determining whether or not you have asthma.


Preparing for a bronchial provocation tests

You will receive all the information you need to prepare for your tests before your appointment.

To get the best possible results we ask that you avoid the following:

  • No smoking for at least 6 hours prior to the test.
  • No caffeinated food or drinks (chocolate, tea, coffee, cola etc.) at least 4 hours prior to the test
  • No alcohol for at least 4 hours prior to the test
  • No heavy exercise on the day of the test.
  • Wear loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the test.

We ask that before the test you refrain from your inhalers and/or medications - these will be discussed with you prior to your procedure. 


What do bronchial provocation tests involve?

At OneWelbeck, bronchial provocation tests are led by our physiologists and are performed in the respiratory lab outpatient clinic. The testing can take up to 90 minutes from start to finish and you’ll receive your results in 24 hours.

Before the main test is performed, your physiologist will determine your baseline lung function with a spirometry test. This involves taking a deep breath and then exhaling as fast and hard as you can into a simple device called a spirometer. This measures how much air you can exhale in one forced breath. If your lung function is stable and reproducible, you will move on to the next part of the test.

You’ll be given a hand-held device called a nebuliser to breathe through, which will deliver an irritant in the form of a powder or mist. The test will begin with a low dose and gradually build to see how your airways react.

Between each increase in dose, your breathing will be tested with spirometry to check for changes in your airways. If your breathing gets worse it indicates that your airways are sensitive, suggesting that asthma is likely. If there is no reaction it is less likely you have asthma.


Recovering from bronchial provocation tests

If any symptoms are triggered by the test, these will be managed quickly and effectively by your physiologist. You will stay in the test area and be cared for until you have recovered fully and your lung function has returned to your baseline. You can then leave the outpatient clinic to return home. 


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Overview

Average time of test

90 minutes

Any prep needed?

Avoid food and caffeinated drinks 4 hours before...

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Health Insurance

This service or treatment is generally covered by most health insurance policies. You are responsible for checking your insurance policy cover, and you may need a referral letter. Check which insurance companies are covered.

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Self-Pay Available

This treatment is available for self-paying users. If you would like to see more information on pricing visit our pricing and payments page.

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Consultation Required

For this treatment you will need to have a 1-to-1 consultation at OneWelbeck first. To book in with our team of expert clinicians or to find out more about the process contact the relevant centre team.

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Same Day Availability

We usually have same-day appointments available for this service. Please call us to book.

Bronchial Provocation Tests Specialists

Earliest availability 09 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Brian O'Connor

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Asthma, COPD, Allergic Disease, Lung Cancer, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 11 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Reza Abdullah

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Medicine, Cough, Breathlessness, Asthma, COPD, Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Pleural Effusions, Pneumothoraces, Bronchiectasis, Bronchoscopy, EBUS.

Earliest availability 11 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Professor Suveer Singh

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: General Respiratory, Sleep and Ventilation Disorders, COPD, Asthma, Lung Cancer, Interventional Bronchoscopy, Intensive Care Medicine, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 11 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Christopher Orton

Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Airways Diseases, Lung Cancer, Interventional Bronchoscopy, Respiratory Medicine, Asthma, Emphysema, Acute and chronic cough, Bronchoscopy, EBUS.

Earliest availability 12 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Professor Michael Loebinger

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Medicine, Bronchiectasis, Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, Tuberculosis, Respiratory Infections, COVID/Post-COVID syndromes, Breathlessness, General Respiratory Medicine, Asthma, COPD, Lung Health.

Earliest availability 12 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Owais Kadwani

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Pleural Effusions, Pneumothorax, Asthma, Breathlessness, Cough, COPD, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, Haemoptysis, Bronchoscopy, Chest Ultrasound, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 13 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Justin Garner

Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: COPD, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, Interventional Bronchoscopy, Respiratory Medicine, Lung Health.

Earliest availability 13 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Professor Michael Polkey

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: COPD, Sleep, Snoring, Home Ventilation, General Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 16 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Anand Shah

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Medicine, Bronchiectasis, Acute and chronic cough, Breathlessness, Lung Health.

Earliest availability 17 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Sarah Elkin

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Medicine, COPD, Asthma, Breathlessness, Acute and chronic cough, Lung Cancer, Bronchoscopy, Respiratory Infections, Lung Health.

Earliest availability 19 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Peter George

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Interstitial Lung Diseases, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Post-COVID Lung Inflammation and Scarring, Autoimmune-related Lung Diseases, Breathlessness, Acute and chronic cough, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 19 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Melissa Wickremasinghe

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Pulmonary Fibrosis, Interstitial Lung Diseases, Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, Respiratory Medicine.

Earliest availability 25 Sep
Bookings are avaliable

Dr Dean Creer

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Infections, Bronchiectasis, Respiratory Medicine, Asthma, Breathlessness, COPD, Acute and chronic cough, Lung Cancer Screening, Lung Nodules, Tuberculosis, EBUS, Bronchoscopy.

Earliest availability 01 Oct
Bookings are avaliable

Professor Luke Howard

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Catheterisation, Breathlessness, Exercise Intolerance, Respiratory Medicine.

Professor Neal Navani

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Medicine, Endobronchial Ultrasound, Bronchoscopy, Lung Cancer, Acute and chronic cough, Asthma, Lung Nodules, Breathlessness, COPD, Sarcoidosis, Bronchiectasis, EBUS, Exercise Intolerance, Sleep Disorders.

Dr Amit Patel

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Breathlessness, Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Sleep Apnea, Asthma, Acute and chronic cough, Respiratory Medicine, COPD, Lung Cancer, Respiratory Failure, Interstitial Lung Diseases, Bronchiectasis.

Dr Matthew Hind

Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Breathlessness, Cough, Respiratory Infections, Sleep, Snoring, COPD, Respiratory Failure, Lung Health.

Professor Onn Min Kon

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Respiratory Infections, Tuberculosis, Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, Sarcoidosis Interventional Bronchoscopy, General Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis, Sarcoidosis.

Professor Pallav Shah

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: COPD, Emphysema, Asthma, Bronchoscopy, EBUS, Lung Cancer Screening, Respiratory Medicine.

Dr Susannah Bloch

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Bronchoscopy, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, COVID/Post-COVID syndromes, Respiratory Failure, General Respiratory Disease, Respiratory Medicine.

Dr Vasileios Kouranos

Consultant Respiratory Physician

Specialist expertise: Interstitial Lung Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Breathlessness, Acute and chronic cough, General Respiratory Medicine, Cardiac Sarcoidosis, Post-Covid Lung Disease, Connective Tissue Disease - Related Lung Diseases.

Dr Richard Hewitt

Respiratory Consultant

Specialist expertise: Interstitial Lung Diseases, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Connective Tissue Disease - Associated Lung Disease, Sarcoidosis, Post-COVID Lung Abnormalities, Respiratory Medicine, Cough, Breathlessness.