These Barium Study exams evaluate the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and are helpful in the detection of cancer, ulcers, and other conditions. They are often ordered for patients who complain of a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, heartburn, diarrhea, swallowing difficulty, weight loss, blood in the stool and anemia.

You will be asked to drink a liquid barium contrast material and the radiologist will take a series of radiographs with a fluoroscopic unit. You may need to shift your body position, by request of the Radiologist, while these pictures are being taken.

The upper gastrointestinal series and barium swallow examinations usually take between 10 and 20 minutes. If your doctor has ordered a small bowel follow through, additional pictures are required to evaluate the entire small bowel as the barium passes from the stomach to the colon. This typically adds another 30 to 60 minutes to the examination time.

The liquid barium contrast material is an inert substance, meaning that it will pass directly into your stool without being absorbed by your system. Since the barium may cause constipation, it is important to drink plenty of fluids after the examination is complete to insure that the barium passes freely from your system.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about this exam.