What are the side effects of barium swallow?

What are some serious side effects after a barium swallow test?

• Trouble with bowel movements or you are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
• Pain or swelling of the abdomen.
• Stools that are smaller in size than normal.
• Fever.

How bad is a barium swallow test?

A barium swallow is generally a safe test, but like any procedure, there are occasionally complications. Your doctor should be advised of problems so you can be treated right away. Following are some of these complications: Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis may occur in people who are allergic to the barium drink.

What is the difference between upper GI and barium swallow?

Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When the upper GI tract is coated with barium, the radiologist can see the esophagus, stomach and duodenum and tell how well they’re working. An X-ray exam that evaluates only the pharynx and esophagus is called a barium swallow.

What happens to barium left in the GI tract?

Often, additional X-rays are made after the barium has been excreted from the bowel, which is usually one or more days after the procedure. After the procedure, a small amount of barium will be expelled from the body immediately. The remainder of the liquid is later excreted in the stool.

Which is better barium swallow or endoscopy?

The barium swallow is a less invasive way to look at the upper GI tract than an endoscopy. Barium swallows are a useful diagnostic tool for checking for upper GI tract disorders that can be easily diagnosed with X-ray alone. More complex disorders require endoscopy.

Does barium swallow Show GERD?

Diagnosing Acid Reflux With a Barium Swallow Radiograph The barium enables doctors to take X-rays of your esophagus. Barium swallow isn’t a surefire method of diagnosing GERD. Only one out of every three people with GERD has esophageal changes that are visible on X-rays.

Does a barium swallow Show acid reflux?

What does a barium swallow show that an endoscopy does not?

In 5 patients EGD detected significant findings not seen on barium swallow: esophageal cancers (2), peptic esophageal stricture (1), unexplained narrowing of the antrum (1), gastric ulcer plus pharyngeal pouch (1). In 2 patients, dysmotility diagnosed on barium swallow was not detected at EGD.

Is endoscopy better than barium swallow?

endoscopy. The barium swallow is a less invasive way to look at the upper GI tract than an endoscopy. Barium swallows are a useful diagnostic tool for checking for upper GI tract disorders that can be easily diagnosed with X-ray alone. More complex disorders require endoscopy.

Can a barium swallow detect hiatal hernia?

A barium swallow involves drinking a special liquid, then taking X-rays to help see problems in the esophagus (such as swallowing disorders) and the stomach (such as ulcers and tumors). It also shows how big the hiatal hernia is and if there is twisting of the stomach as a result of the hernia.

Is an Esophagram the same as a barium swallow?

An esophagram is also commonly known as a barium swallow test. This x-ray test takes pictures of the esophagus after barium is swallowed to outline and coat the walls of this small region.