Is the esophageal barium meal examination painful?

Many people may not know about the surgical method of esophageal barium meal examination, nor do they know the impact of this examination method on the esophagus and the possible side effects. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone should follow the doctor's advice to do the esophageal barium meal examination surgery, so as to check whether there is any abnormality in the esophagus. Esophageal barium meal examination is somewhat painful, and we can use anesthesia to relieve the symptoms.

The role of esophageal X-ray barium meal examination

Abnormal results:

The focus of esophageal X-ray barium meal examination is to detect abnormalities and confirm lesions. X-ray diagnosis of gastric cancer must be based on the X-ray manifestations of the tumor itself and its surrounding changes, and all X-ray signs must be integrated with clinical data and other examinations to reach a correct conclusion.

The X-ray barium meal examination of esophageal hemangioma may show an oval filling defect with clear boundaries, smooth edges, internal partitions, and local esophageal cavity dilation, which is similar to other benign esophageal tumors. Its unique signs are flattening or compression of mucosal folds, and enlargement and twisting of adjacent mucosa like varicose veins. However, when the lesions are small, it is difficult to distinguish them from small malignant tumor lesions.

People who need to be checked: People who have frequent gastrointestinal pain.

Notes on esophageal X-ray barium meal examination

Taboos before the examination: The examination should be conducted on an empty stomach. It is recommended that you eat easily digestible food for dinner the day before. Do not eat anything within 12 hours before the examination. When there is a large amount of fluid retained in the esophagus, try to drain it out before angiography. Patients with cardiac spasm, hiatal hernia, or tumor in the cardiac part of the lower esophagus need to fast. It is not advisable to examine immediately after eating to avoid food residues sticking to the tube wall and causing misdiagnosis.

Requirements during the examination: Relax and follow the doctor's instructions. First perform routine chest and abdominal fluoroscopy.

The process of esophageal X-ray barium meal examination

Before the examination, the doctor will ask you to take gas-generating powder (powder that can be taken with a small amount of water). During the examination, the patient stands on the X-ray gastrointestinal machine, takes barium sulfate suspension (with sweetener, tastes okay) according to the doctor's requirements, and rotates to different positions on the gastrointestinal machine to facilitate the doctor to select the angle for taking the film. The whole process is painless, but some people may occasionally feel a little nauseous because they are not used to the oral position of barium sulfate.

People who are not suitable for esophageal X-ray barium meal examination

Contraindicated groups: pregnant women, children. The general condition is extremely poor and the patient is severely exhausted. People in the acute stage of esophageal corrosive injury.