What You Need to Know About the Barium Swallow Test

The Barium Swallow is a method used to determine the ability of the esophagus to control muscle contractions. This test is usually done on an out patient basis which means it is done right in an office rather than having the patient being admitted to a hospital to have it done. Normally, the patient is told not to eat or drink anything after the midnight hour of the evening just before the test. First thing in the morning the following day the test is completed and it is done without the use of any relaxation medications or tranquilizers.

To start the test, the individual will be asked to slowly drink a liquid that will easily appear on film when using x-rays. The x-rays are taken of the esophagus and throat area as the patient drinks. A barium solution is usually used for this test because it normally can easily be seen on the x-rays. The solution itself tends to be a chalky, white liquid that can be pretty easily tolerated by the patient. Not the best of drinks but for the purpose of testing, serves everyone pretty well.

During the process of this testing, the doctor may request the patient to sit or stand in a number of different positions in order to get different views and take different pictures. These different positions while taking pictures using x-rays should help doctors determine from where the complications are arising. Keep in mind however; this particular test is used only for the checking of the esophagus and the throat. Other tests are used for the surrounding organs to determine their involvement.

As the barium test is done on an outpatient basis, the patient can usually leave immediately following. In order to be physically cleansed of the barium, the individual will be instructed to drink significant amounts of water for a number of days. This is to make sure that the barium safely passes through the system. When this occurs, the waste left behind in the toilet will probably be somewhat white. There is no need for alarm when this happens, this is what you want. On some occasions, the barium might congeal to the point that it may be rather difficult to pass through the intestines. When this happens, your doctor will prescribe a laxative such as Milk Of Magnesia.

This test, the barium swallow, is actually a very safe test compared to some of the others. Probably the biggest risks involved are from the x-rays that need to be taken. It is a rather cheap test for the patient and the results are pretty immediate depending on how long it takes to get the pictures developed.

Where this test has some flaws is that it doesn't indicate information directly related to the surface of the esophagus. Frequently with long term heartburn sufferers, there will be some damage to the surface of the esophagus but this test is not able to reveal that damage. Remember, this test is designed for the purpose if investigating only the throat and the esophagus. For investigating addition complications, other diagnostic testing will have to be done.