Barium Meal

Barium Meal

A barium meal is an x-ray examination of your stomach and your oesophagus (gullet). Often pictures of the first part of your small intestine (the duodenum) are also taken.

For the test to be successful your stomach should be as empty as possible and so you will probably be asked not to eat or drink anything for six hours before the examination.

When you have the examination you will be asked to swallow some fizzy tablets or granules, with a little water. These will expand your stomach with gas which makes it easier to get a clear view of things. It is very important that you do not belch once you have taken these.

Sometimes you are also given an injection of a drug to relax the stomach and stop it moving while the x-rays are taken (this can cause some blurring of your vision for an hour or so and if this happens it is best not to drive).

You will then be given a cup of barium to drink. This is often fruit flavoured and is not at all unpleasant. The barium shows up on the x-rays and outlines your gullet and stomach.

A number of x-ray pictures will then be taken. This is completely painless.

The examination is usually completed within 30 minutes.

You can eat and drink quite normally once the test is completed. The barium will be passed out with your bowel motions during the next few days, it may make your motions paler in colour than normal.

The results of the examination will usually be available a few days later.