What Is Barium Sulfate Used For

A barium enema is a type of x-ray that allows your doctor to run across your colon and rectum. Information technology is also called a colon x-ray or lower GI examination. Barium enemas can help diagnose changes to your large intestine, such equally your colon and rectum.

Your doctor might recommend a barium enema to find inflammation, polyps, or cancer in your colon or rectum. The well-nigh common reason you may need a barium enema is after rectal surgery. Your doctor will confirm that your torso has healed earlier reversing an ileostomy.

About the colon and rectum

Your colon and rectum are a major part of your digestive system, also called the alimentary canal. These organs help your trunk procedure the food it does non apply, which becomes waste matter (feces). The colon is the biggest role of your large intestine. Information technology empties into the rectum, where waste collects as bowel movements. The rectum empties into the anus, where bowel movements leave the body.

The cartoon below shows the different parts of the colon and rectum.

How does a barium enema work?

Barium is a contrast medium, which helps radiologists and radiology technicians see details on an x-ray. Barium is not radioactive. It is a white, chalky substance that is mixed with water.

During a barium enema, a radiologist or radiology technician injects the barium liquid into your rectum during an enema. They so take x-rays of your large intestine with the substance inside your body. The barium helps prove the shape and features of your large intestine.

Who gives a barium enema?

A radiology technician or a radiologist performs a barium enema. Information technology is done in an x-ray room in either a hospital or a physician'south role. Subsequently the procedure, the radiologist reads the results and diagnoses or confirms any abnormalities.

How should I get fix for a barium enema?

When you schedule the barium enema, you volition get detailed instructions on how to prepare, such every bit what to eat and how to empty your colon. Beneath, you will find full general data nigh how to get ready for a barium enema. The specific instructions y'all receive may be different. Always follow the instructions of your health care team before your barium enema.

What to eat. Your colon must be consummate empty for the barium enema. Only eat soft foods or clear liquids for 1 to three days beforehand. This includes fat-gratis bouillon or broth, blackness coffee, and strained fruit juice. You volition non exist allowed to eat or drink annihilation afterwards midnight on the twenty-four hours of your procedure.

Empty your colon. You will need to take a laxative or give yourself a regular enema the day or night before your appointment. This removes any remaining waste from your colon. If your doctor prescribes a laxative, it will be either a pill or a pulverization that y'all mix with h2o before drinking. The laxative will make you use the bathroom frequently. Make sure y'all accept like shooting fish in a barrel access to the toilet during this time.

What to habiliment. Correct earlier your barium enema, yous will be asked to remove all wearable, jewelry, and other metallic objects that tin can interfere with the ten-ray. Yous will exist given a hospital gown to wear.

Your medications and health history. Enquire if you should accept your usual medications on the day of the test. This includes prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, and supplements that you take. Allow the health care staff know if you have any medical conditions or if you lot could be meaning. Ten-rays can be harmful to a developing infant.

Allergies. Let the health care staff know virtually any drug allergies or other allergies that you have.

Insurance, price, and consent. If you lot are concerned nearly the toll of your test, contact your insurance company beforehand. Ask how much of the cost you will take to pay.

When yous arrive for your exam, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This form says you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure and concord to accept it. Be sure to ask the health care team about any questions or concerns you take.

What happens during a barium enema?

During the barium enema, the doctor or technician will enquire you lot to lie on your side on an examination tabular array in a private room. They will drape a sheet over your body.

The examination table is fastened to an x-ray automobile and a video monitor. The x-ray technician will first take several x-rays to make certain your colon is empty.

The physician or technician volition and then insert a well-lubricated enema tip attached to a tube into your anus. The barium will flow through the tube into your colon.

During the test, the doctor or technician may ask y'all to motility into dissimilar positions. This is so the barium can menstruation through the entire colon.

One time the radiologist determines there is enough barium in the colon, they may deliver a small amount of air into the colon through the aforementioned tube. This footstep is called a "double contrast barium enema." It inflates the bowel and produces a improve view of the intestinal wall. Several x-rays will be taken during this time. When an x-ray is taken, the barium shows upward bright white, clearly outlining the colon and rectum.

A barium enema normally takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Is a barium enema painful?

A barium enema can be uncomfortable for several reasons. You may feel mild tum pressure and cramping when the barium flows through the colon. Taking boring, deep breaths can help you lot relax.

You may also experience discomfort from lying notwithstanding for a long time. Once the barium is inserted into the colon, you may also feel the urge to have a bowel move. It is important for you to effort to hold in the barium until the exam is complete.

What happens later a barium enema?

Once the radiologist has taken enough images of the colon, they will remove the enema tip. You will exist helped down from the table then you can become to the restroom to push out the barium. Y'all will then return to the exam room for another x-ray to make sure yous take emptied your bowel enough.

You can go back to your usual activities immediately later on the barium enema. But y'all should take someone else drive you lot dwelling from the test.

You lot may detect greyness or white stool for several days later a barium enema. That is the remaining barium leaving your body.

Drinkable plenty of fluids for the next several days to prevent constipation and assist remove the remaining barium. Your health care team may too recommend taking a laxative.

Phone call your doc's office immediately if you lot take:

Severe stomach hurting
Fever
Bloody bowel movements
Dizziness
Weakness

Questions to ask your health intendance team

Before your barium enema, consider asking the following questions:

Why are you lot recommending this procedure for me?
Who will perform the barium enema? Who else will exist in the room?
What will happen during the test?
How long will information technology have?
Will it be painful?
Are there risks associated with having a barium enema?
Will I demand to avoid whatever activities subsequently?
How authentic is a barium enema at finding cancer?
When and how will I learn the results?
Who volition explain the results to me?
What other tests will I need if the barium enema finds prove of cancer?

Related Resources

Guide to Colorectal Cancer

Colonoscopy

More Information

RadiologyInfo.org: X-ray (Radiography) - Lower GI Tract

MedlinePlus: Barium enema