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February 7, 2012
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Barium Swallow

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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)

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:

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Barium Swallow

Peptic Ulcers Overview

In the digestive system, an ulcer is an area where tissue has been destroyed by gastric juices and stomach acid. Peptic ulcer disease is a general term for ulcers that occur in the stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine).

  • A peptic ulcer is an erosion or sore in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • The mucous membrane lining the digestive tract erodes and causes a gradual breakdown of tissue.
  • This breakdown causes a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle part of the belly (abdomen).
  • Although most peptic ulcers are small, they can cause a considerable amount of discomfort.

Peptic ulcers are a very common condition in the United States and throughout the world.

  • In the United States, about 10% of the population will develop a duodenal ulcer at some point in their lives.
  • Peptic ulcer disease affects about 4.6 million people annually...

Read the Peptic Ulcers article »


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