What Is a Provocation Test?
A provocation test is a type of lung test that determines how sensitive your airways and lungs are. This type of test may also be called a challenge or trigger test. The most common types of provocation tests are:
- Irritant challenge (such as chemicals, perfumes, or other irritants)
- Exercise challenge
- Methacholine inhalation challenge
It sounds like your doctor recommended an irritant challenge for your case. Before this test starts, they do baseline lung function testing. Then your doctor will expose you to increasing amounts of a chemical irritant. This is to see if your airways react.
It is done in a clinic setting, such as your doctor’s office or clinic. This is under medical supervision. After you are exposed to the trigger, you will take a breathing test to see how you respond. This testing could help identify specific chemicals that may cause your symptoms. Provocation testing can help the doctor make a diagnosis in people who have had symptoms (such as nasal congestion, cough, asthma) when they are around certain chemicals. This is helpful, especially when other tests were negative or the results aren’t clear. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, your doctor can help you come up with a management plan.
John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Comments (0)