For the enema, you will be given a specific diet and laxatives to ensure the bowel is clear. You will probably need to take the laxatives for two days before the test eating — you are not allowed to eat or drink anything for eight hours before the test.
The radiologist can have difficulty making an accurate evaluation of the images if there are particles of food in the digestive tract health conditions — at the time of booking you will need to tell the radiology staff if you have insulin dependent diabetes so that you can decide together the best time for you to fast and have the test pregnancy — pregnant women should not have these tests.
Barium test procedure When doing a barium test you may experience cramping. Barium swallow and barium meal — procedure During a barium swallow, you will be asked to drink the barium so the radiologist can observe your swallowing and evaluate the structure of your oesophagus. Barium enema — procedure During a barium enema, the barium sulphate is introduced into your bowel through a tube inserted into your rectum.
After a barium test After a test involving barium, you can expect to experience: constipation light-coloured faeces poo flatulence depending on the examination blurred vision for an hour or so , if you have been given a muscle relaxant.
Do not drive until your vision returns to normal. Possible complications of barium tests Barium examinations are safe tests, but complications can sometimes occur.
These may include: If a section of the digestive tract has an undiagnosed break or split perforation , the barium may leak into the abdominal cavity. If the bowel is obstructed, the barium can become impacted. The barium can lodge in the appendix and cause appendicitis. There may be side effects such as blurred vision from the medications used during the test. It is possible to accidentally breathe in the barium meal instead of swallowing it this is very rare. Self-care after a barium test Be advised by your referring doctor or the radiology staff, but general suggestions include: Barium can cause constipation, so it is best to drink plenty of fluids for at least one full day following the test.
Eat more fruit and other high-fibre foods than usual for the next day or two. Long-term outlook after a barium test You will need to make another appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of your barium examination. Other tests for examining the digestive tract Other tests are now more commonly used than the barium test to examine the digestive tract.
These include: flexible endoscopy — an endoscope is a slender tube with a lens at one end and a telescope at the other. This is inserted through an orifice such as the mouth or anus or a small incision, and the doctor looks down the telescoped end for a magnified view computed tomography CT scan — the CT scan uses x-rays and digital computer technology to create an image of internal body structures.
Nowadays CT can be used to replace an endoscopy — this test is called a virtual colonoscopy. Where to get help Your GP doctor Radiology clinic staff. Infection control in endoscopy guidelines , Gastroenterological Society of Australia. You have a barium enema if your doctor wants to look at the inside of your bowel and back passage. This test takes around 40 minutes. The day before the test, you usually need to take some medicine a laxative to clear out your bowel.
You will have an information leaflet from the hospital to tell you how to take the laxative and what you can eat and drink. You may be told:. Most people find this test a little undignified and a bit embarrassing, but it should not be too uncomfortable.
You change into a hospital gown before the test. You need to remove any jewellery, metal objects or anything that may interfere with the x-ray picture. You lie on the x-ray table on your left side. The radiographer will put a small plastic tube into your back passage rectum. This may feel uncomfortable but not painful. A small balloon may be inflated to keep the tube there.
The radiographer moves the x-ray machine into position above you. They then put barium and water through a tube. It's important that you try to hold the liquid in your back passage. You'll have the sensation of being full and wanting to open your bowels. The radiographer will ask you to move or they will tilt the table so the barium spreads through the lower bowel.
This shows up any lumps or swellings, which can be seen on the x-ray screen. They also put some air into the tube to inflate the bowel so that they get a clearer picture. Most of the liquid barium drains back into the tube. Once they have taken all the pictures they remove the tube. After the test you might have some mild cramping in your abdomen as the air they put in works its way out.
You may also have some diarrhoea and want to use the toilet. Your first couple of stools poo will be white but they will go back to normal after the barium is out of your system. To help wash the barium out of your bowel, and prevent constipation, you should drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
However, the companion will not be able to join them in the X-ray room. In the X-ray room, the person drinks the barium liquid. It often has a chalky taste but can sometimes be flavored. A person will be standing for some parts of the examination, and lying down on a tilting table for other parts.
This allows the liquid to travel through the body, and for the radiologist and radiographer to take a selection of images. People do not have to stay in hospital after the test and are free to go home as soon as it is complete.
The results usually arrive within weeks. Patients may feel nauseous after a barium swallow test or become constipated. Drinking lots of fluids can help to relieve constipation.
Symptoms of nausea should improve as the barium passes through the system. It is normal for people to have white-colored stools the first few times they use the toilet after having a barium swallow test. Some people might worry about being exposed to radiation as part of the X-ray process. However, the amount of radiation a person is exposed to is minimal. If someone has glaucoma or heart problems and needs to have a barium swallow, the doctor may not give the stomach-relaxing injection.
If someone has diabetes then the doctor will schedule a morning appointment for the barium swallow. If the person takes tablets to control their diabetes, the doctor will tell them not to take the medicine before the test. Instead, they should bring their tablets and some food to the exam to have after it is complete.
They should bring their insulin and some food to have after the test. However, those who take long-acting insulin should continue taking this. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant before scheduling a barium swallow test.
Tell your provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthetic medicines local and general before scheduling a swallowing test. Tell your provider about all medicines you are taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements. You may need to stop taking these before the swallowing test. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a recent barium swallow or upper GI test.
This may make it harder to get good X-rays of the lower GI area during a barium swallow test. Follow any other instructions your provider gives you to get ready for the swallowing test. You'll be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may get in the way of the swallowing test. You will lie on an X-ray table that can move you from a horizontal to an upright position.
You may also be asked to change positions during the swallowing test. For example, you may need to lie on your side, back, or stomach. The radiologist will ask you to take a swallow of a thick, chalky barium drink.
The barium is usually flavored, but it may not taste very good. As you swallow the barium, the radiologist will take single pictures, a series of X-rays, or fluoroscopy to watch the barium moving through your mouth and throat.
You will be given a thinner barium drink to swallow. The radiologist will use X-rays or fluoroscopy to watch the barium go down your esophagus.
You may also be asked to swallow a barium tablet. This is a small pill that can help to show certain problems in the esophagus.
A barium swallow test may be performed as an outpatient procedure or as part of your stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices. You may go back to your normal diet and activities after a barium swallow test, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Barium may cause constipation or impacted stool after the swallowing test if it isn't completely cleared from your body.
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