The patient should contact us for an appointment.

Optimal coating of the gastric mucosa is required during the barium meal. A six hour nil by month period ensures an empty stomach.

Please advise patients not to smoke or chew gum on the morning of the examinations, as this increases saliva & air in the stomach.

The test takes 30 - 45 minutes.

If there is concern that you patient may be pregnant please delay the examination until after their period or following a negative pregnancy test.

The Radiologist will ask the patient  to drink some barium. The examination is viewed dynamically on the TV monitor and selected images stored on film or digitally.

Patients may be given an effervescent gas-producing mixture, which inflates the stomach for double contrast imaging.

An injection of smooth muscle relaxant (Buscopan or Glucagon) may be used during the examination to temporarily stop peristalsis. Buscopan may cause temporary visual impairment.

After the Radiologist has reviewed the images the patient is able to eat and drink normally.

The patient can dress and leave the practice.

The barium may cause mild constipation so we advise patients to increase their fluid intake and have fibre rich foods after the examination.

The barium will show in the bowel motions for a few days and as barium is heavy it may be difficult to flush from the toilet bowl.

A written report is available on the day of the appointment and the images distributed according to the preference of the Referrer.