Barium Swallow

X-ray of esophagus during an upper GI series, showing constriction due to Achalasia.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• achalasia
• esophagus
• barium
• medicine

[Gaobdgao]

so what do they do after the barium swallow test is positive?

I am having acid reflux and swallow problem even water wants to come out from my throat..

[Pieterzoon]

Depends on what it's positive for. If you think you have achalasia (doesn't sound too liklely with the reflux, but I'm not sure) then the definitive diagnosis is a manometry - an altogether less pleasant test, and the general treatment is surgery, a heller myotomy.

[jr131893]

I had a barium swallow done and they found out I had a sliding hiatal hernia

[LeslieThomasson]

Please if your worried about the radiation from this test don't sit infront of your t.v. for a week or fly across the country!! Do you have any idea how much radiation you get in a day from everyday things?!? Benefits outweigh the risks and in this day and age where everything causes cancer.

[arkadiem]

great pictures......

but that is waaaaay too much fluoro time and radiation

[colinohalloran]

I had this done today and it tastes like pure rank heartburn tablets crushed about a 1000 tabs with 2 table spoons of water ha ha not really but it tasted like that but it's nothin tho and u can taste the barium for a few days Ian being told I can still taste it when I cough hard of breath out fast

[MyFreudianSlit]

@aciddmc your body can push the barium out no problem.... If barium sulfate were to reach a puncture while going through the alimentary tract in the thorax or abdomen, the barium sulfate can remain in the body indefinitely, causing further problems such as inflammation and irritation, and possibly granuloma formation. As long as there are no perforations, you're fine ;D

[sounddilemma]

modified swallow is evaluate for a swallowing disorder, dysphagia. A speech pathologist directs the study and gives the patient several different foods, each different in consistancy, with barium on it. An upper gi is done by a radiologist or radiologist assistant and can evaluate for reflux/GERD, strictures, masses etc. The barium pill is usually only given if there is a stricture.

[clazzyfree1]

what is the difference between a barium swallow and a modified barium swallow?

[aciddmc]

Barium is poisonous and toxic, how is this even safe?

[wrc4010]

The average Barium Swallow takes anywhere from 5-7 min depending on the person's willingness to cooperate. Normally we give u the carbon dioxide crystals (pop rocks) first. This is done to dilate your esophagus and stomach allowing for better visualization of the wall linings. Step two involves the pt. drinking several small swallows of the high density barium. Next they are given a 13mm barium tablet that dissolves if it does not pass. once that's all done the table lays down to evaluate GERD

[wrc4010]

@physics43  I think Ba z=56