What is Barium Enema Test? Why Colon X-Ray is done? What does this test indicate? How is it done? Everything around this, that you should know, in this post and of course our doctors always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
Q1. What is the barium enema test?
A barium enema is defined as an X-ray to know the changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. The procedure is also called as colon X-ray. It is done to investigate the finding of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea.
Q2. When Barium Enema is suggested to do?
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Pain in Abdomen
- Chronic diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Changes in bowel habits
Q3. Is a barium enema painful?
It should not be painful but can cause some discomfort and bloating, mainly when the air is pumped in the large bowel.
Q4. What does a barium enema diagnose?
The barium enema is used to detect Colon and rectal abnormalities, diverticulosis, polyps, dilation of the colon, Hirschsprung disease in infants and colon cancers.
It is used to know the normal and abnormal anatomy of the colon and rectum.
Q5. How is it performed?
A small tube is inserted into your rectum and fill the colon and rectum with a white liquid material known as barium, then air is gently pushed into your colon to allow for more detailed X-ray image
Q6. What precautions are taken before the test?
In barium enema test, you will be instructed to empty your colon, not to eat anything after midnight before the test, to avoid obscure X-ray images or mistaken for an abnormality due to any residue in your colon.
For more information, you can visit RadiologyInfo and NHS.
