Barium
meal and Barium Enema
A barium meal is an
x-ray examination of the stomach and your oesophagus (gullet). Often pictures
of the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) are also taken.
For the test to
be successful the stomach should be as empty as possible and so the
patient will probably be asked not to eat or drink anything for six
hours before the examination.
The patient will
be asked to swallow some fizzy tablets or granules, with a little water.
These will expand the stomach with gas which makes it easier to get
a clear view of things. It is very important that the patient does not
belch once s/he has taken these. Sometimes s/he if also given an injection
of a drug to relax the stomach and stop it moving while the x-rays are
taken (this can cause some blurring of vision for an hour or so and
if this happens it is best not to drive).
The patient is then
given a cup of 'barium' to drink. It is actually barium sulphate (a
radiopaque - contrast medium) and the mixture used normally contains
defoaming agents and a mixture of constituents that make it have excellent
coating characteristics. It is often fruit flavoured and is not at all
unpleasant. The barium shows up on the x-rays as it strongly absorbs
X-rays and therefore outlines the gullet and stomach in the X-ray picture.
A number of x-ray
pictures will then be taken. This is completely painless.
The examination
is usually completed within 30 minutes.
A barium enema is
an x-ray examination which involves filling the large intestine with
barium through a tube inserted into the rectum. It is similar to the
meal - just inserted into the body the other way round!
The patient can
eat and drink quite normally once the test is completed. The barium
will be passed out with your bowel motions during the next few days,
it may make motions paler in colour than normal.
The results of the
examination will usually be available a few days later.
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