A barium meal is an X-ray test of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which uses a barium liquid to improve the quality of images. It can help diagnose medical conditions such as abnormal growths, ulcers, and gastrointestinal reflux. Patients swallow the barium solution and lie down on an X-ray table while images are taken from different angles. In rare cases, patients may experience constipation or an allergic reaction to the barium solution.
A barium meal, also known as an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, is a medical imaging test of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. This test typically provides X-ray images of the esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. During a barium meal test, a patient typically ingests a barium liquid which tends to show up very clearly on an X-ray and improves the quality of images from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Doctors may ask patients to undergo a barium meal test to help with the diagnosis of one or more medical conditions. Abnormal growths, ulcers, and abnormal narrowing of the upper digestive tract are visible on some X-ray images taken with a barium meal. In some cases, enlarged veins in the esophagus and hiatal hernias can be seen on X-rays that are highlighted with barium fluid. Tumors and muscle abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum can be revealed with the help of an upper GI series.
Some doctors order barium meal x-rays for patients who have symptoms that suggest a disorder in the upper gastrointestinal tract. People with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may benefit from upper gastrointestinal x-ray testing. Individuals with swallowing problems and unusual weight loss also experience an upper gastrointestinal series in some cases. Gastrointestinal reflux is a medical condition that typically causes digestive juices to enter a patient’s esophagus, where they can cause tissue damage that an upper GI series can reveal.
During a barium meal, a patient typically stands in front of an X-ray machine and swallows a chalky-tasting barium solution that coats the inside of the patient’s upper digestive tract. The patient then lies down on an X-ray table in most cases and a radiologist or technologist takes several X-ray images of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A patient may be asked to change position several times during the test to provide X-ray images from different angles. Some patients consume a barium solution that contains gas-forming crystals that evaporate and expand the digestive tract to provide better images. Patients can resume a normal diet after an upper gastrointestinal series in most cases and typically pass barium solution in their stool for several days after the test.
In rare cases, patients can develop constipation or an intestinal obstruction from the barium solution used in a barium meal test. Patients who drink plenty of fluids after a test usually have a lower risk of developing intestinal obstruction or constipation. Allergic reactions to the barium solution can occur and are typically treated with antihistamines. Patients develop symptoms such as abdominal pain or fever in rare cases after a barium meal. Many patients may benefit from discussing any unusual symptoms or side effects with their doctors.
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