Dysphagia is term that describes difficulty in swallowing. When you visit your doctor with this symptom, there are a number of tests that will be performed to determine the diagnosis. A swallow study for dysphagia (also known as barium swallow) is one of the most useful. In this article, we look at how this test is performed and what information it conveys.
Before undergoing a barium swallow, your doctor will take a detailed history of your condition. Part of the history includes the duration for which you have had the compliant, whether it has been getting worse and whether it applies to solids only or to liquids as well. It is important to establish if there has been any weight loss during the duration of your illness. The other important information is that which relates to the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
The barium meal test is indicated when the doctor suspects lesions in the throat (oropharynx) or the esophagus (food pipe). Narrowing of the esophagus is the commonly diagnosed problem. It is a feature of esophageal cancer. Other conditions include polyps (non-cancerous masses), dilated esophageal veins (also known as varices) and ulcers. In rare circumstances, a defect affecting the diaphragm (hiatus hernia) may be demonstrated.
This test is usually done as an elective procedure (rather than an emergency) so you will have ample time to prepare. For the two to three days preceding the study, reduce the fiber content of your diet. On the day of the test, avoid smoking or eating after midnight as this may interfere with the movement of the barium. You will be asked to remove some of your jewelry if it is thought that it might interfere with the images on the film.
The test relies on a compound known as barium sulfate. You will be asked to drink a cup of water in which this compound is dissolved to form a suspension. The next thing is to be exposed to an X-ray examination focused on the neck and chest. X-rays do not penetrate this compound and one will usually see a silhouette wherever the compound is within the esophagus. Defects tend to appear as projections into or out of the esophageal wall.
This test is largely safe for most people but there are some risks that one needs to be aware of. Anaphylaxis (allergic reactions) are perhaps the most commonly encountered. This tend to occur in persons that are allergic to the barium drink. Persons with this type of reaction should be investigated using alternative tests. Constipation and aspiration (rare) may also be encountered.
Normally, after the procedure, one can continue with their normal diet except in cases where the doctor has recommended a change. For the first one to three days, your stools will be chalky white as your gut clears the barium sulfate from the system. Drink lots of water and increase the amount of fiber in your diet to prevent constipation. The next step will depend on the report from the radiologist.
The treatment will depend on the findings of this test. At times, the results may actually be normal in spite of the persistence of symptoms. If such is the case, additional tests such as endoscopy are required. If a lesion is identified, the doctor will initiate treatment or may see it necessary to refer you to specialists such as neurologists, gastroenterologists, speech and language therapists or ear, nose and throat specialists.
Before undergoing a barium swallow, your doctor will take a detailed history of your condition. Part of the history includes the duration for which you have had the compliant, whether it has been getting worse and whether it applies to solids only or to liquids as well. It is important to establish if there has been any weight loss during the duration of your illness. The other important information is that which relates to the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
The barium meal test is indicated when the doctor suspects lesions in the throat (oropharynx) or the esophagus (food pipe). Narrowing of the esophagus is the commonly diagnosed problem. It is a feature of esophageal cancer. Other conditions include polyps (non-cancerous masses), dilated esophageal veins (also known as varices) and ulcers. In rare circumstances, a defect affecting the diaphragm (hiatus hernia) may be demonstrated.
This test is usually done as an elective procedure (rather than an emergency) so you will have ample time to prepare. For the two to three days preceding the study, reduce the fiber content of your diet. On the day of the test, avoid smoking or eating after midnight as this may interfere with the movement of the barium. You will be asked to remove some of your jewelry if it is thought that it might interfere with the images on the film.
The test relies on a compound known as barium sulfate. You will be asked to drink a cup of water in which this compound is dissolved to form a suspension. The next thing is to be exposed to an X-ray examination focused on the neck and chest. X-rays do not penetrate this compound and one will usually see a silhouette wherever the compound is within the esophagus. Defects tend to appear as projections into or out of the esophageal wall.
This test is largely safe for most people but there are some risks that one needs to be aware of. Anaphylaxis (allergic reactions) are perhaps the most commonly encountered. This tend to occur in persons that are allergic to the barium drink. Persons with this type of reaction should be investigated using alternative tests. Constipation and aspiration (rare) may also be encountered.
Normally, after the procedure, one can continue with their normal diet except in cases where the doctor has recommended a change. For the first one to three days, your stools will be chalky white as your gut clears the barium sulfate from the system. Drink lots of water and increase the amount of fiber in your diet to prevent constipation. The next step will depend on the report from the radiologist.
The treatment will depend on the findings of this test. At times, the results may actually be normal in spite of the persistence of symptoms. If such is the case, additional tests such as endoscopy are required. If a lesion is identified, the doctor will initiate treatment or may see it necessary to refer you to specialists such as neurologists, gastroenterologists, speech and language therapists or ear, nose and throat specialists.
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