Bronchoprovocative test, with histamine or methacholine, lung treatment, sleep disorders

Bronchoprovocative test is a specific diagnostic procedure used to assess airway reactivity and diagnose asthma or other respiratory disorders. This test involves exposing the patient to controlled amounts of substances that can cause bronchoconstriction, such as methacholine or histamine, to determine how the lungs react to irritation. The test is most often used in people who have symptoms similar to asthma, but in whom standard spirometry results do not show a clear disorder. In this way, the broncho-provocative test enables doctors to make a more precise diagnosis and adjust the therapy.

Bronchoprovocative test is performed to assess airway hypersensitivity and diagnose asthma or similar respiratory disorders. During the test, the patient inhales a substance such as methacholine or histamine, which can cause bronchial constriction in people with sensitive airways. After each inhalation, lung function is measured using spirometry to assess how the airways are responding. The dose of the inhaled substance is gradually increased, until a significant narrowing of the airways is achieved or the maximum safe dose is reached.

The examination is performed to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of asthma, especially in patients whose symptoms are unclear or spirometry shows no abnormalities. Bronchoprovocative test helps doctors to more precisely determine the therapy and better understand the patient's condition.

The bronchoprovocation test usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Just inhaling the substances takes a few minutes, while lung function measurements are taken between each dose. The total time depends on the patient's reaction to the substances and on how many measurements need to be repeated in order to obtain precise results.