A barium enema is a fluoroscopic examination looking at the lining of your stomach and the dynamics of it emptying to the small bowel.
Your preparation requirements
You will be required to fast from food and fluids for 4 hours prior to your examination. If you have to take medications do so with a small sip of water. Please ask your referring doctor or our booking staff for advice if you are concerned.
Please notify your doctor and the staff at Sound Radiology if you are pregnant or you think you could be pregnant.
What to expect
Imaging staff will collect you from the waiting room and escort you to the x-ray fluoroscopy room. You may be asked to change into a gown for a barium meal study to ensure the best image quality. At this time you may also be asked to remove, all jewelry, reading glasses, mobile phones, wallets etc.
Once in the imaging room the radiographer or nurse will explain the examination to you and what you will be expected to do, answering any questions that arise.
The Radiologist will come in when the examination is ready to start and you will be asked to drink some fizzy liquid which followed by a drink of barium liquid. Images are taken lying down initially, however often the bed may be rotated to take images with you standing depending on specific symptoms.
Once all the images have been taken, you are able to dress and go home.
Please allow up to 30 minutes for this examination.
After your procedure
Barium is quite a dense, chalky liquid. It is advised that you drink plenty of fluids for 24 – 48 hours following any barium procedure to prevent constipation. It is not abnormal to experience lighter coloured stools after a barium study, due to the white colour of the liquid.
Please seek the opinion from your referring practitioner if you have any concerns.
If you are having a barium meal, please see our checklist below.
