Is it uncomfortable to do a barium meal?

Patients generally do not experience pain or other complications during barium meal examination and are easy to accept. The patient first receives an injection (20 ml of scopolamine butylbromide injection), and then takes 3-5 grams of gas-generating powder orally (dry swallow) to fully expand the stomach. Stand on the examination table, perform corresponding body movements as required by the doctor and swallow large gulps of medical pure barium sulfate suspension, the total amount is about one paper cup. When X-rays pass through the human body, the shape, size, position, and peristalsis of the stomach filled with barium are indirectly observed using a monitor, and video is taken to make a comprehensive judgment based on the clinical manifestations. For some patients with atypical clinical symptoms and X-ray signs, other examinations must be combined.

Precautions

1. Do not take medicines containing metals (such as calcium tablets, etc.) from the day before the examination.

2. The general examination takes several hours. Please wait patiently and do not eat anything or leave without the doctor's consent. A small number of patients need to be re-examined in the afternoon of the same day.

3. It is best to wear underwear without buttons during the examination.

4. When intestinal obstruction is clinically suspected or confirmed, the use of barium sulfate contrast is strictly prohibited.

5. Starting from the day before the examination, the diet should be mainly semi-liquid and it is not advisable to eat after 10 pm.

6. You may have white stool after the examination, which is normal. After the examination, you should drink plenty of water to excrete the barium meal as soon as possible.

Indications

1﹒ Observe congenital malformations, chronic inflammation, foreign bodies, and tumors of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum and understand their functional status.

2﹒ To understand whether patients with portal hypertension have esophageal varices and their extent.

3﹒ Understand the relationship of cervical or mediastinal lesions to the esophagus.

4﹒ Gastric and duodenal ulcers.

5﹒ Tumors of the pancreatic head or ampulla.

6﹒ Unexplained bleeding in the digestive tract.

7﹒ Review after gastrointestinal surgery or follow-up review after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.