Is Gastrointestinal Barium Meal Examination Uncomfortable? What Does It Check?

The barium meal examination for the gastrointestinal tract is not uncomfortable, and it includes the examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and some parts of the colon. Generally speaking, the barium meal examination for the gastrointestinal tract is less uncomfortable than the gastroscope examination, because the gastroscope examination requires the insertion of a tube, while the barium meal examination does not. However, after drinking the barium meal, the patient needs to turn over left and right to better attach the barium meal to the digestive tract, so that it can be seen more clearly under X-ray imaging. This barium meal examination mainly checks for inflammation or ulcers in the digestive tract, and can even detect malignant lesions. It is relatively accurate. If a disease is detected through the barium meal examination, it is best to confirm the diagnosis through a gastroscope or colonoscopy, which can greatly reduce the misdiagnosis rate of the disease.

Generally, after undergoing this type of barium meal examination for the digestive tract, patients should avoid eating too many spicy and stimulating foods within 4 hours, and should drink plenty of water to effectively eliminate some of the barium meal from the body. The barium meal examination for the gastrointestinal tract includes the examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and some parts of the colon. The patient is given an appropriate amount of gas-producing medication orally and swallows a large amount of barium. Standing upright, the esophagus is observed, and then the full amount of barium is swallowed. Observations are made at different positions and angles, and the shape, contour, size, position, peristalsis, and pylorus opening of each part are examined. The use of body positions creates a dual combination of gas and barium, and pressurization can better reveal lesions. After the examination of the stomach and duodenum is completed, the various segments of the small intestine, ileocecal region, and colon are examined at intervals according to the patient's condition. Before the examination, patients are advised to eat less food containing residue and consume more easily digestible foods.