What is a Barium Swallow?

In this procedure, x-rays are used to look at the back of your mouth, your throat and your oesophagus while you swallow a chalky white liquid called barium. These images help our radiologists (specialist doctors) to diagnose any disorders of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 

 

Understanding your procedure

Before your procedure

Before your Barium Swallow: 

  • You will be asked to fast prior to your procedure. 
  • Please let us know if you have any of the following conditions: 
    • an oesophageal or bowel perforation.
    • bowel obstruction. 
    • difficulty swallowing. 
    • severe constipation.

When you arrive: 

  • Please check in with reception. We’ll make sure your details are correct and ask you to complete any appropriate consent forms.  
  • You will be taken to the procedure room where our Medical Imaging Technologists will explain the procedure and ask for your consent. 

During your procedure

  • You will be positioned on the x-ray table, and we will take several standard x-rays. 
  • The technologist or radiologist will then give you a barium drink to swallow.  
  • You will have more x-rays to see how the fluid moves through your mouth and throat. 
  • You will then be given another, thinner, barium drink to swallow. 
  • More x-rays will be taken to watch how the barium moves down your oesophagus & into the stomach. 

After your procedure

  • You can resume normal activities immediately after your barium swallow, including eating and drinking 
  • The Radiologist who performed your examination will interpret the images and send a report back to your doctor. 

Frequently asked questions

The barium is artificially flavoured and sweetened. It has a chalky consistency, and some people think it tastes bitter.

It can sometimes cause constipation if not completely expelled from your body on the day of your procedure. To avoid this, please drink lots of fluid and eat high-fibre foods to help move it through your body.

  • A barium swallow is a good way to help diagnose any conditions that make it difficult for you to swallow, or diagnose any disorders of the digestive tract.
  • A barium swallow is less invasive than an endoscopy.

Some problems that a barium swallow may help diagnose include: 

  • hiatus hernia 
  • inflammation 
  • blockages 
  • muscle disorders that could lead to difficulty swallowing or spasms 
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
  • ulcers 
  • both cancerous and noncancerous tumours

Yes, you're welcome to bring up to two support people with you to your appointment. If you require more than two, please contact us so we can work with you to find a solution that meets your needs. 

Support people usually cannot enter the procedure room. 

Please note: for some examinations, a support person may not be able to enter the scan room for safety, privacy or clinical reasons. Our team will talk you through this if it applies to your appointment. 

If you need to bring children, please make sure another responsible adult comes with you to supervise them throughout your appointment. Our team need to focus on your care and cannot supervise children.  

If arranging childcare is difficult, please contact us before your appointment. We will do our best to find an option that works for you, so childcare does not prevent you from receiving care.

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