Drinking large quantities of fluids for several days following the test can also help. Sometimes the barium can cause temporary constipation, which is usually treated by an over-the-counter laxative. The barium may color your stools gray or white for 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. You may hear the mechanical noises of the radiographic apparatus moving into place during the exam.Īfter the examination, you can resume a regular diet and take orally administered medications unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. As the procedure continues, the technologist or the radiologist may ask you to drink more barium. These actions ensure that the barium is coating all parts of the upper GI tract. In some medical centers, the technologist can minimize patient movement by automatically tilting the examining table. However, the radiologist or technologist will tell you to try to hold the gas in (by swallowing your saliva if necessary) to enhance the detail on the x-ray images. If you receive gas-producing crystals, you may feel the need to belch. The examination may also make you feel bloated. The liquid barium has a chalky taste that may be masked somewhat by added flavors such as strawberry or chocolate.īeing tilted on the examination table and having pressure applied to the abdomen can be uncomfortable for some patients.
Occasionally, patients find the thick consistency of the barium unpleasant and difficult to swallow. What will I experience during and after the procedure? Remove jewelry, removable dental appliances, eyeglasses, and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images. You may need to remove some clothing and/or change into a gown for the exam. Therefore, your doctor will likely ask you not to eat or drink anything (including any medications taken by mouth, especially antacids) and to refrain from chewing gum after midnight on the day of the examination. To ensure the best possible image quality, your stomach must be empty of food. See the Safety in X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays. If an x-ray is necessary, the doctor will take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the baby. Doctors will not perform many tests during pregnancy to avoid exposing the fetus to radiation. Women should always tell their doctor and technologist Tell your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions. List any allergies, especially to iodine contrast materials. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
FLUOROSCOPY GIF MACHINE HOW TO
Your physician will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your upper GI. The radiologist will determine which type of contrast material will be used. These alternative contrast materials may be used if the patient has recently undergone surgery on the GI tract, or has allergies to other contrast materials. On occasion, some patients are given other forms of orally ingested contrast, usually containing iodine. This procedure is called an air-contrast or double-contrast upper GI. In addition to drinking barium, some patients are also given baking-soda crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer) to further improve the images. When the upper GI tract is coated with barium, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.Īn x-ray examination that evaluates only the pharynx and esophagus is called a barium swallow. X-rays are the oldest and most often used form of medical imaging.įluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. It exposes you to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
Images are produced using a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and an orally ingested contrast material such as barium.Īn x-ray exam helps doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. Upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, also called an upper GI, is an x-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (also known as the duodenum).
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