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Methacholine Bronchial Provocation

Asthma affects 5-10% of people in the United States. Its prevalence has been increasing, as has the death rate from this disease. In many cases, physicians can easily identify asthma through routine breathing tests. However, some patients have normal breathing test results but experience recurring symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing and wheezing. For many patients, asthmatic conditions go undiagnosed.

The methacholine bronchial provocation test involves inhaling a medication which causes a brief constriction of the bronchial airways that is more intense than that seen in nonasthmatic people. When a diagnosis is established, patients usually respond well to inhaled asthma medications.

The test is offered on a limited basis in the New York area. Beth Israel is one of the few sites that conduct this specialized test.