BARIUM SWALLOW/MEAL X-RAY B

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1 BARIUM SWALLOW/MEAL X-RAY B Information Leaflet Your Health. Our Priority.

2 Page 2 of 5 Information If you miss your period or think you might be pregnant please inform the Department as soon as you receive this appointment. Do not wait until your appointment day. If you have DIABETES please inform the Department as soon as you receive this appointment. We recommend that you do not wear jewellery as we may have to ask you to remove this during your examination. We have waiting lists for these tests; please telephone as soon as possible if you are unable to keep this appointment. If you need an ambulance please ask your GP s surgery to arrange this for you and tell them it is a special appointment. We will try to keep to appointment times but delays sometimes occur due to unforeseen circumstances. If you travel by car please allow plenty of time to find a parking space and have change available for the meter. Preparation You should have nothing to eat for 6 hours before your test but you may drink water up to 2 hours before your test. What is a Barium Swallow? The purpose of this test is to examine the tube leading from your mouth to your stomach (the oesophagus). In this test you drink some barium liquid; the barium liquid is fruit flavoured and is not unpleasant to drink. You will stand in front of an X-Ray machine and pictures will be taken as you swallow. A barium swallow is used to look for problems in the oesophagus such as narrowing, hiatus hernia, tumours etc. This test takes approximately 10 minutes. The test allows the Doctor to best plan your treatment.

3 Page 3 of 5 What is a Barium Meal? This test is similar to a barium swallow (above) and is used to look for problems in the stomach and duodenum such as ulcers, polyps, tumours etc. You will drink some barium liquid but will be asked to move in different directions, both standing and lying down, whilst x-ray pictures are taken. This test takes approximately 15 minutes. During this test you may be asked to swallow some granules and liquid; these fizz up in the stomach when mixed and make gas. To stop your stomach moving on the x-ray you may be given an injection in your arm. What will happen? You may be asked to undress in a cubicle when you will be given a cotton gown to wear. You will be taken into the examination room and introduced to the Radiologist/Radiographer who will perform your examination. You will be given a barium liquid to drink, and then x-rays will be taken. You will be asked to wait until all your x-rays have been checked. The Radiographer will tell you when to dress and go. After the examination you may eat and drink normally. How will I get my results? The result of the examination will go back to the Consultant who referred you. If you have not heard from this Doctor within four weeks please telephone the Secretary of the Consultant who referred you. Do not assume there is nothing you need to know just because you have not been contacted. For further information visit:

4 Page 4 of 5 Are there any risks or side effects? Some people may feel a little sickly for a few hours after the examination. You may become constipated; to help prevent this you should have lots to drink and eat fruit for a couple of days. Your motions may be paler than usual due to the barium, this is normal. If you have been given an injection it may cause some blurring of your vision for a short period, if this happens it is best not to drive until the blurring has passed. On very rare occasions it may be necessary to seek advice from an Ophthalmologist. Please inform the Radiologist/Radiographer if you are prescribed eye drops or have glaucoma. It is rare for a barium test to cause any other complications or side effects. Are there any alternatives? Your Consultant may perform a gastroscopy examination as an alternative to a barium meal.

5 Page 5 of 5 If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: Information Leaflet. PCS@stockport.nhs.uk. Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more. Leaflet number RAD18 Publication date February 2015 Review date February 2017 Department Barium Swallow, X-Ray B Location Stepping Hill Hospital