Barium Swallow
- Barium Swallow Introduction
- Risks
- Barium Swallow Preparation
- During the Procedure
- After the Procedure
- Next Steps
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Synonyms and Keywords
- References
- Authors and Editors
Barium Swallow Introduction
A barium swallow is a test that may be used to determine the cause of painful swallowing, difficulty with swallowing, abdominal pain, bloodstained vomit, or unexplained weight loss.
Barium sulfate is a metallic compound that shows up on x-ray and is used to help see abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach. When taking the test, you drink a preparation containing this solution. The x-rays track its path through your digestive system.
- These problems can be detected with a barium swallow:
- Narrowing or irritation of the esophagus (the
muscular tube between the back of the throat and the stomach)
- Disorders of swallowing
- Hiatal hernia (an internal defect that causes the stomach to slide partially into the chest)
- Abnormally enlarged veins in the esophagus that cause bleeding
- Ulcers
- Tumors
- Polyps (growths that are usually not cancerous, but could be precancerous)
- Narrowing or irritation of the esophagus (the
muscular tube between the back of the throat and the stomach)
Risks
A barium swallow is generally a safe test, but like any procedure, there are occasionally complications. Your doctor should be advised of problems so you can be treated right away. Following are some of these complications:
- Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis may occur in people who are allergic to the barium drink.
- Constipation may develop.
- You may accidentally get barium in the trachea (windpipe). The medical term for this is aspiration.
Next: Barium Swallow Preparation »
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Barium Swallow
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) »
Reflux Disease (GERD) Overview
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed because of acid backing up from the stomach. The esophagus or food pipe is the tube stretching from the throat to the stomach. When food is swallowed, it travels down the esophagus.
The stomach produces hydrochloric acid after a meal to aid in the digestion of food.
- The inner lining of the stomach resists corrosion by
this acid. The cells that line the stomach secrete large amounts of protective
mucus.
- The lining of the esophagus does not share these
resistant features and stomach acid can damage it.
- The esophagus lies just behind the heart, so the term heartburn was coined to describe the sensation of acid burning the esophagus (see Media file 1).
Normally, a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, prevents ref...
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