Upper GI series (barium swallow) of the esophagus, showing abnormalities associated with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Radiography - In medicine, an upper GI series consists of a series of X-ray images of the esophagus and stomach (the upper gastrointestinal, or GI, tract). The most common use for this medical testing is to look for signs of ulcers, acid reflux disease, uncontrollable vomiting, or unexplained blood in the stools. Image File history File links Eosinophilic_esophagitis-barium_swallow. ... Image File history File links Eosinophilic_esophagitis-barium_swallow. ... A barium meal is a procedure in which barium barium sulfate is ingested by a patient and, in conjunction with X-rays, images depicting the the distal esophagus, stomach and duodenum can be obtained digestive system. ... Endoscopic image of esophagus in a case of eosinophilic esophagitis. ... In the NATO phonetic alphabet, X-ray represents the letter X. An X-ray picture (radiograph) taken by Röntgen An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength approximately in the range of 5 pm to 10 nanometers (corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 PHz... The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/Å“sophagus), or gullet is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the mouth area to the stomach. ... In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek στόμαχος) is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract used to digest food. ... The gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal, (nourishment canal) or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. ...

Application

Preparation

When the patient needs to undertake an Upper GI, he or she is asked to take a fast on the previous day, depending on what the doctor wishes for the patient to take or what might be the need for this testing. Normally, the patient must avoid solid food for up to 8 hours prior to the appointment and avoid any type of consumable, including water, 3 hours prior to the testing.

Process

Once the patient is at the clinic, he or she changes into a medical outfit which allows the doctors to see the insides of the patient much more easily. The patient is then summoned into the X-ray room.

In the X-ray room, the patient is given two undesirable drinkables to help aid the doctors while they take X-rays inside the patient. The first drink is a very carbonated drink nicknamed "Fizzies", made from baking-soda crystals which expands the stomach, which causes gas to build in the stomach and giving the patient a desire to belch. The second drink is a contrast agent, typically a thick, chalky liquid containing a barium salt. (This test is sometimes called a barium swallow.) The barium outlines the stomach on the X-rays, helping the doctor find tumors or other abnormal areas. In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek στόμαχος) is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract used to digest food. ... Radiocontrast agents (or simply contrast agents) are compounds used to improve the visibility of internal bodily structures in an X-ray image. ... General Name, Symbol, Number barium, Ba, 56 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 6, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 137. ...

After the patient has consumed a reasonable amount of these consumables, he or she asked to lay flat on a table and X-rays are taken of their insides. The doctors usually take a series of pictures with the patient in a number of different positions to capture different poses and views of the digestive system. Normally the patient needs to hold their breath to avoid the pictures from blurring and causing unneeded challenges in diagnosing the illness.

During the test, the doctor may pump air into the stomach to make features such as small tumors easier to see.

After the Test

Patients may feel nauseous immediately after drinking the barium. This is common and may last up to 72 hours following the test. You may eat as normal after the procedure but it is important to drink a lot of water to allow the barium to pass through the body easier. Constipation is common but diarrhea will affect some patients.