What does an upper GI and small bowel follow through show?

Category: medical health digestive disorders
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Upper GI and small bowel series. An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test that examines the large intestine.



Then, what does small bowel follow through show?

Small bowel follow-through uses a form of real-time x-ray called fluoroscopy and a barium-based contrast material to produce images of the small intestine. It is safe, noninvasive and may be used to help accurately diagnose bowel disease, obstructions, polyps, cancer and other symptoms.

Likewise, what does an upper GI barium test show? An upper gastrointestinal (GI) series (barium swallow), is a radiological test that is used to visualize the structures of the upper digestive system - the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

Hereof, how long does it take for barium to pass through small intestine?

The duration of the examination is variable and essentially depends on the amount of time it takes for the barium to pass from the stomach to the colon (large intestine). Normally, this is approximately one to two hours, but in some patients it may take up to four hours and still be normal.

What is the procedure for an upper GI series?

An upper GI series is a procedure in which a doctor uses x-rays, fluoroscopy, and a chalky liquid called barium to view your upper GI tract. The barium will make your upper GI tract more visible on an x-ray.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What are the symptoms of small intestine problems?

What are common symptoms of bowel disorders?
  • discomfort or pain in your abdomen.
  • gas and abdominal bloating.
  • nausea.
  • diarrhea.
  • constipation.
  • vomiting.

How long should it take to pass barium?

The barium can be seen on an X-ray as it passes through the digestive tract. The barium swallow procedure may take about 30 minutes to finish. In certain cases, it may take up to 60 minutes to fill the stomach.

How long is a small bowel follow through?

How long will the test take? The Small Bowel Follow Through can take about 1 hour to 3 hours, and occasionally longer.

What is the prep for a small bowel series?

For the exam, you must drink barium, which is a contrasting agent that enables us to see the anatomy of your digestive tract. Do not eat or drink anything the morning of the exam. If you must take medications, please take them with a small amount of water.

How do you fix an ileus?


Medication changes. A paralytic ileus that is caused by medication can often be treated by taking another medicine, such as metoclopramide (Reglan), to stimulate the movement of the intestines. Another option is to discontinue use of the medication that is causing the ileus.

Does a colonoscopy check the small intestine?

A colonoscopy examines your entire colon, sometimes including the very end of the small intestine. Video capsule endoscopy allows us to examine difficult-to-reach tumors within the small intestine with a pill-size camera that takes pictures as it moves through your digestive tract.

How long does an upper GI with small bowel follow through take?

An x-ray method called fluoroscopy tracks how the barium moves through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Pictures are taken while you sit or stand in different positions. The test most often takes around 3 hours but can take as long as 6 hours to complete.

What is a small bowel?

The small intestine (small bowel) is about 20 feet long and about an inch in diameter. Its job is to absorb most of the nutrients from what we eat and drink. Velvety tissue lines the small intestine, which is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The colon absorbs water from wastes, creating stool.

Does a barium swallow Show acid reflux?

Diagnosing Acid Reflux With a Barium Swallow Radiograph
The barium enables doctors to take X-rays of your esophagus. Barium swallow isn't a surefire method of diagnosing GERD. Only one out of every three people with GERD has esophageal changes that are visible on X-rays.

What are the side effects of barium?


Barium Sulfate Side Effects
  • severe stomach pain;
  • severe cramping, diarrhea, or constipation;
  • ringing in your ears;
  • sweating, confusion, fast heart rate; or.
  • pale skin, blue-colored skin, weakness.

What are the risks of barium swallow?

The risks of a barium swallow test may include problems from radiation exposure, birth defects and intestinal issues. You should ask your healthcare provider about the risks as they apply to you.

How does the body get rid of barium?

Barium at hazardous waste sites may enter your body if you breathe dust, eat soil or plants, or drink water polluted with barium from this area. Barium that enters your body by breathing, eating, or drinking is removed mainly in feces and urine. Most of the barium that enters your body is removed within 1–2 weeks.

What does barium do to the body?

Small amounts of water-soluble barium may cause a person to experience breathing difficulties, increased blood pressures, heart rhythm changes, stomach irritation, muscle weakness, changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of brains and liver, kidney and heart damage. Barium has not shown to cause cancer with humans.

Does barium make you poop?

If you drank barium, your bowel movements (poop) will be white for the next few days as your body gets rid of the barium. Barium can cause constipation (having fewer bowel movements than what's normal for you), so drink extra liquids to help move it out of your intestine.

What does a small bowel series detect?


Your doctor uses the upper GI and small bowel test to detect abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The test can pinpoint conditions ranging from slow intestinal movement to swallowing disorders and scarring in your digestive tract.

Does barium make you sick?

Risks and side effects
Patients may feel nauseous after a barium swallow test or become constipated. Symptoms of nausea should improve as the barium passes through the system. It is normal for people to have white-colored stools the first few times they use the toilet after having a barium swallow test.

How much water should I drink after CT scan with contrast?

When the CT scan is over, you can resume normal activities. If you had intravenous contrast, you should drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day to help flush the contrast out of your body. Your doctor will receive the results within 48 hours.