Doing so can make things worse. Generally speaking, if you remain calm and focus on your breathing, any discomfort you feel at the start of the test will usually subside within a few minutes. If you have trouble keeping the fluid in, let the technician know. This is a common occurrence and one that the radiology team is more than prepared for.
When completed, the majority of the barium solution is removed through the tube. You will then be directed to the bathroom to expel the rest. Most radiologists will recommend that you stay there for at least 10 to 15 minutes as it can take time to evacuate the bowels.
Once you have cleaned yourself and changed back into your clothes, the radiologist will want to see if you are experiencing any side effects, such as cramping or spasms.
If you are, you may be asked to sit quietly until the symptoms pass. If you have diabetes, you will want to check your blood sugar and advise the medical staff if the reading is abnormal. In most cases, you can drive yourself home after a barium enema. However, if you were given an antispasmodic injection, you may experience blurred vision for 30 to 60 minutes. If you're in doubt about your ability to drive, call a ride service or ask for a friend to pick you up.
Before leaving, the lab may give you a gentle laxative to help clear the rest of the barium from your system. Take it as instructed. Thereafter, you can resume your regular diet and medication routine. Make every effort to drink plenty of water for the next 24 hours. Managing Side Effects. Your stools may appear white for a day or two as your body gradually clears the barium from the bowel.
Some people may also experience constipation, headache, upset stomach, and diarrhea. These symptoms tend to be mild and resolve within a couple of days. To lessen these side effects, drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in insoluble fiber. Saline cathartics like Milk of Magnesia magnesium hydroxide can gently treat stomach upset and constipation, while emollient cathartics like mineral oil or glycerin suppositories may ease bowel movements.
Diarrhea can be treated with over-the-counter products like Imodium loperamide. Use these products only as directed. With that being said, if you do not have a bowel movement for more than two days or are unable to pass gas, call your healthcare provider.
You may be experiencing barium impaction and need an enema. A day or two after the test, your healthcare provider will review the results with you. The radiology report will detail both the expected and unexpected findings. In the end, a lower GI study is but one of several tools used to make a diagnosis. In addition to a review of your medical history and current symptoms, clinical judgment is needed to decide whether treatment can be started or further investigation is needed.
Follow-up evaluations may be needed if the results are inconclusive or equivocal ambiguous. While it can be disappointing, if you're insured, an ambiguous result may motivate your insurance company to approve a more expensive, specialized test.
While a barium enema may be one of the more awkward imaging procedures, it does have its benefits. In the end, it is a nominally invasive technique with a low risk of complications. Because barium is not water-soluble, it cannot be absorbed in the blood lowering the risk of allergic reactions. In some cases, a barium enema may provide just as much information as a more invasive colonoscopy and without the need for sedation. Moreover, modern X-ray systems are extremely dose-controlled to deliver the lowest level of exposure with minimal stray scatter radiation.
Generally speaking, the benefits of a barium enema far outweigh the possible consequences. If you are still uncomfortable with the procedure, speak with your healthcare provider about alternatives and why they may or may not be appropriate for you. Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk.
These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Cleveland Clinic. Barium enema. Updated on September 19, Diagnostic miss rate for colorectal cancer: an audit. Ann Gastroenterol. Lower GI series. April Adjusting your diabetes medicine and diet for a barium enema or colonoscopy. Updated May 1, Trikha A.
Preparation instructions for barium enema. Ashford and St. Peter's Hosptials, NHS. Updated November 8, Contrast enema for children. Updated February 1, John Hopkins Medicine. Updated August 16, Barium studies in modern radiology: do they have a role?
Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. Some abnormalities of the large intestine that may be detected by a barium enema include tumors, inflammation, polyps growths , diverticula pouches , obstructions, and changes in the intestinal structure. After the instillation of barium into the rectum, the radiologist may also fill the large intestine with air. Air will appear black on X-ray film, contrasting with barium's white image.
The use of the 2 substances, barium and air, is called a double contrast study. The purpose of using 2 contrast substances is to achieve an enhancement of the inside wall lining of the large intestine.
As the air expands the large intestine like blowing up a balloon , a barium coating is formed on the inner surface of the colon wall. This technique enhances visualization by sharpening the outline of the inner surface layer of the large intestine.
The benefit of this technique is to show smaller surface abnormalities in the large intestine. Other related procedures that may be used to diagnose lower GI problems include colonoscopy , virtual colonoscopy , abdominal X-ray , CT computed tomography scan of the abdomen , and abdominal ultrasound. Transverse colon. Extends from the ascending colon across the body to the left side. Sigmoid colon.
Named because of its S-shape; extends from the descending colon to the rectum. A barium enema may be performed to diagnose structural or functional abnormalities of the large intestine, including the rectum. These abnormalities may include, but are not limited to:. Ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerations and inflammation of the large intestine. Crohn's disease. Ulcerations and inflammation occurring in any part of the GI tract mouth to anus. Irritable bowel syndrome. Changes in bowel movements. 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 health care provider.
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 media, iodine, or latex should notify their health care provider. Constipation or fecal impaction may occur if the barium isn't completely eliminated from the body.
Toxic megacolon. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure. Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the accuracy of a barium enema procedure. These factors include, but are not limited to:. Recent barium swallow or upper GI procedure that may interfere with the X-ray exposure of the lower GI area. Notify the radiologist if you've had a recent barium swallow or upper GI procedure, as this may interfere with obtaining an optimal X-ray exposure of the lower GI area.
A locker will be provided to secure personal belongings. Please remove all piercings and leave all jewelry and valuables at home. Based on your medical condition, your health care provider may request other specific preparation.
Step 1. Have only clear liquids for the entire day. Drinking lots of clear liquids is a very important part of the preparation. Air is then passed through the same tube to further enhance the X-ray. Barium enemas are low risk and often less expensive than a colonoscopy. They are commonly used to diagnose colorectal cancer and inflammatory disease. In order to conduct the most accurate barium enema test, you will need to follow a prescribed diet and bowel prep before the test.
Like a colonoscopy, this prep commonly includes restricted intake of dairy products and a liquid diet for 24 hours beforehand. To begin a barium enema, your doctor will have you lie on your back on a tilting table so you can easily have X-rays taken of your abdomen. At that point, a well-lubricated rectal tube is inserted through the anus. This tube allows your doctor to slowly administer the barium into the rectum and colon. Your doctor may also choose to use a rectal balloon to help retain the barium.
As the barium fills the intestine, X-rays of the abdomen are taken to distinguish significant findings and help detect abnormal growths. Your doctor will take X-rays from several different angles to see your whole colon. He or she may also ask you to move around on the table or turn over to help spread the barium sulfate through your colon and provide additional views.
The process lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes.
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