You might have to hold your breath at certain times to prevent any movement from disrupting the X-ray images. Next, the technician will give you a thinner barium drink to swallow. They will again take X-rays or a fluoroscopy to watch how the barium moves down the esophagus. When all X-rays are complete, you can gather your things and leave. You can go back to your normal diet and daily activities after your barium swallow procedure unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Here is an example of a normal barium swallow study, in which the barium the dark liquid is seen moving down the esophagus without any leakage or regurgitation reflux :.
The barium you swallow is artificially flavored and sweetened. However, many people report that it tastes bitter or chalky. If you have health insurance, a barium swallow may be fully or partially covered. If the barium is not completely expelled from your body after the procedure, it can sometimes cause constipation or fecal impaction. You should drink lots of fluids and eat high-fiber foods to help move the barium through your digestive tract and out of your body.
After your procedure, you might notice that your bowel movements are lighter in color. Your stool will return to its normal color once all the barium has been expelled.
Also, barium swallows involve exposure to radiation, like all X-ray procedures. The risks of complications related to radiation exposure accumulate over time and are linked to the number of X-ray exams and treatments a person receives in their life.
It can be helpful to share a record of past radiation procedures with your doctor before your barium swallow. Exposure to radiation during pregnancy can cause birth defects in unborn fetuses. Because of this, pregnant women should not undergo barium swallow procedures.
The barium swallow is a less invasive way to look at the upper GI tract than an endoscopy. Barium swallows are a useful diagnostic tool for checking for upper GI tract disorders that can be easily diagnosed with X-ray alone. More complex disorders require endoscopy. The radiologist may use the water-soluble contrast if you have a perforation tear or hole of the bowel or esophagus, or for other reasons determined by your doctor.
The purpose of using 2 contrast substances is to achieve an enhancement of the inside wall lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. As the gas expands the organs like blowing up a balloon , a barium coating is formed on the inner surface of the organs. Other related procedures that may be used to diagnose upper GI problems are barium swallow and esophagogastroduodenoscopy EGD.
An upper GI series may be performed to diagnose structural or functional abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. These abnormalities may include, but are not limited to:. Ulcers may be gastric stomach or enteric duodenum. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. Inflammation esophagitis , gastritis , or duodenitis or infection.
Structural problems. Such as diverticula , strictures, or polyps growths. Hiatal hernia. Upward movement of the stomach, either into or alongside the esophagus. Difficulty swallowing. You may want to ask your doctor about the amount of radiation used during the procedure and the risks related to your particular situation. It's a good idea to keep a record of your past history of radiation exposure, such as previous scans and other types of X-rays, so that you can inform your doctor.
If you're pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your doctor. Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects.
Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dyes, iodine, or latex should notify their doctor. Constipation or fecal impaction may occur if the barium isn't completely eliminated from the body. Women should always tell their doctor and technologist if they are pregnant. Doctors will not perform many tests during pregnancy to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. If an x-ray is necessary, the doctor will take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.
See the Safety in X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays.
To ensure the best possible image quality, your stomach must be empty of food. Therefore, your doctor will likely ask you not to eat or drink anything including any medications taken by mouth, especially antacids and to refrain from chewing gum after midnight on the day of the examination.
Remove jewelry, removable dental appliances, eyeglasses, and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images. This exam typically uses a radiographic table, one or two x-ray tubes, and a video monitor. Fluoroscopy converts x-rays into video images. Doctors use it to watch and guide procedures. The x-ray machine and a detector suspended over the exam table produce the video. X-rays are a form of radiation like light or radio waves.
X-rays pass through most objects, including the body. The technologist carefully aims the x-ray beam at the area of interest. The machine produces a small burst of radiation that passes through your body. The radiation records an image on photographic film or a special detector. Fluoroscopy uses a continuous or pulsed x-ray beam to create images and project them onto a video monitor. Your exam may use a contrast material to clearly define the area of interest.
Fluoroscopy allows your doctor to view joints or internal organs in motion. The exam also captures still images or movies and stores them electronically on a computer. Most x-ray images are electronically stored digital files. Your doctor can easily access these stored images to diagnose and manage your condition.
A radiologic technologist and a radiologist , a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, guide the patient through the upper GI series. As the patient drinks the liquid barium, which resembles a light-colored milkshake, the radiologist will watch the barium pass through the patient's digestive tract on a fluoroscope , a device that projects radiographic images in a movie-like sequence onto a monitor.
The exam table will be positioned at different angles and the patient's abdomen may be compressed to help spread the barium. Once the upper GI tract is adequately coated with the barium, still x-ray images will be taken and stored for further review. Children usually drink barium contrast material without any objection. If a child will not drink the contrast, the radiologist may need to pass a small tube into the stomach to complete the examination.
Very young children may be placed on a special rotating platform to help turn them into slanted positions. This allows the radiologist to see all the organs. Older children will be asked to hold very still and may be asked to hold their breath for a few seconds while the x-ray pictures are taken. Older children may undergo a double-contrast upper GI series. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
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