Explanation

A barium follow-through is a test that uses radiation to see inside you. It examines your small intestine, which links your stomach to your Large intestine (your colon).

Why do I need one?

Your doctor might say you should have a barium follow-through if he or she thinks you may have a problem with your intestines. This test can show if there is inflammation in your intestines, like if you have Crohn's disease, and also helps doctors to see things like tumour and ulcers.

If you have pain in the bottom of your stomach, feel bloated, have diarrhoea (runny poo) and constipation, have blood in your poo or have lost weight for no reason, your doctor might suggest that you have a barium follow-through to find out exactly what is going on.

What happens before I have it?

Your stomach should be empty when you have this test, so you shouldn't have any food or drinks after midnight on the night before you have it. Your doctor might give you some instructions to tell you exactly what to do, so make sure you follow them!

How is it done?

A radiographer or a nurse will ask you get undressed and put on a hospital gown. You will have to drink a special barium drink called a contrast medium. This helps doctors to see things inside you more clearly. Don't worry, the drink is usually flavoured, so it doesn't taste horrible!

After you have had the barium drink, you have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes to give the barium enough time to get to your small intestine. The radiographer will then take an x-ray of your small intestine every 30 minutes or so, until the barium has gone all the way through it and on to your large intestine (colon).

Sometimes, the doctor might want to look at a small section of your small intestine in even more detail, and will use a CT scan to do this.

The whole test lasts between 2 and 6 hours, so it's a good idea to bring along something to read so you don't get bored!

Why do I need to take the barium drink?

The barium helps to show up different parts of your intestines, so doctors can see where there's a problem.

Your intestines don't usually show up in x-ray images, because x-rays just pass straight through. This is why you have to drink a special barium drink. It is like a visibility cloak. It lines the intestines and makes them visible to an x-ray. X-rays don't pass through barium, instead they bounce back to the x-ray camera, so doctors can take pictures of your intestines. Any problems or damage can then be seen on the x-ray.

Will it hurt?

No. Neither the barium drink nor the x-ray are painful at all.

Could it cause any problems afterwards?

You may feel a bit sick for a few hours after the test.

You may also feel constipated, so it's good to have lots of drinks and fresh fruit for a day or two after your test to wash out the barium that's left over inside your intestine.

Your poo will probably turn white (like snow!) for a couple of days, until all the barium has been washed out. If you don't poo for 3 or 4 days after your test, make sure you tell your doctor.

Barium only lines your intestines and then gets washed out of your body, without actually being taken INTO it, it usually does not cause any other problems or side effects.

What happens next?

You can usually go home straight after the test, as soon as all of the x-rays your doctor needs have been taken.

A report of the results will be sent to your doctor within a couple of weeks, and he or she will then discuss the results with you.

Is there anything else I need to know about it?

If you have diabetes, you should tell your doctor, so they can arrange the best time for you to stop eating and do the test.

Sometimes, instead of a barium follow-through, you may have a newer test called endoscopy. Your doctor can have a look at other parts of your gastrointestinal system using similar tests. So, if he or she wanted to look at your oesophagus you would have a barium swallow, to see your stomach and duodenum you would have a barium meal, and you would have a barium enema if the doctor wanted to look at your large intestine (colon).

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about barium follow-through in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.