If you have an existing swallowing difficulty, there is a small risk of breathing a small amount of liquid into your lungs (aspiration). This is due to the barium passing out of your body and once it has all been expelled, your stools will return to their normal colour. You may notice that your stools are lighter after your barium swallow. If you are still constipated, your doctor may prescribe a laxative. To avoid the risk of constipation, drink plenty of fluids and eat high-fibre foods after your procedure as these will both help the barium contrast move through your gut and out of your body. However, if the barium doesn't promptly completely pass out of your body after your procedure, it can cause temporary constipation. There are no known risks associated with the barium contrast liquid and it passes through your body without being absorbed. Risks and side effects of barium contrast Nonetheless, X-rays aren't recommended for pregnant women.Īt Spire Healthcare, we’re careful to weigh up the benefits and risks of any X-ray and discuss it with you if you have any concerns. It's thought exposure to X-rays may slightly increase your chances of developing cancer many years later, although this risk is thought to be very small. However, the doses used in medical X-rays are very low - the amount of radiation is the same as the background radiation you’d naturally be exposed to over a few years. However, you may still find that it tastes bitter or chalky.Ī barium swallow procedure involves the use of X-rays, which are a type of ionising radiation. What does a barium swallow taste like?īarium contrast is artificially sweetened and flavoured (eg chocolate or strawberry flavoured) to make it more palatable to drink. Drink plenty of water and eat high fibre foods such as fresh fruit and veg, rice and wholemeal pasta to get things moving. Talk to your pharmacist about a mild laxative. You may feel bloated for a few hours and it's likely you'll be constipated for a few days. You can immediately return to your usual activities, including eating and drinking, unless your doctor advises against it. Once all the X-ray images needed have been taken, you can change back into your normal clothes and go home. Next, the procedure will be repeated but instead of drinking a thick barium contrast liquid, you will drink a thinner version. You might also be given a muscle relaxant injection to prevent the stomach moving while the images are taken. These images will be stored so your doctor can review them later. This liquid will coat the lining of your oesophagus and stomach, allowing these structures to be captured more clearly on X-ray images.Īs you swallow mouthfuls of this liquid, single X-ray images, a series of X-ray images or continuous real-time X-ray images (fluoroscopy) will be captured of the barium contrast passing down your throat and into your oesophagus. It’s fruit flavoured and you’ll need to sip it rather than gulp it. One of our experienced and caring staff will ask you to drink a white liquid containing barium in an X-ray room. You may be asked to take several different positions during your procedure, including standing, sitting or lying down on an X-ray table. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown and will also be given a lead shield or apron to wear over your pelvic area to shield it from unnecessary X-ray radiation. It can be difficult to see your stomach and oesophagus clearly in a normal X-ray, which is where a barium swallow can help.
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