PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN BOWEL CARE

Everyone deserves the best treatment and support for bowel conditions

Barium Enema

A barium enema is a special X-ray study of the large bowel (colon and rectum). Barium is used as a contrast medium to line the bowel and this shows up white on X-rays. During the examination, air or carbon dioxide is instilled into the bowel to distend it. This allows a detailed image of the large bowel. Both the barium and the air need to be passed into the bowel through a small, soft tube, which is inserted into the rectum, or back passage.

There is a tiny risk of making a small hole in the bowel, a perforation. This happens very, very rarely indeed, and generally only if there is problem e.g. severe inflammation of the bowel wall.

It is essential that your bowel should be empty, and an accompanying leaflet will explain what you should eat and how you need to take the special laxative provided. This laxative is vigorous and to avoid inconvenience it is best to stay at home on the day before the examination.

If you take insulin or tablets for diabetes you need to make sure you have enough to eat on the day before your appointment.

You may be given an injection, generally of Buscopan, to relax the muscles of the bowel wall, and make the examination easier and helps reduce any cramp-like pain you may feel. The examination should not hurt a lot. Some patients are obviously worried about being unable to hold on to the barium, and making a mess on the X-ray table. It is obviously important to try and hold on to the barium and air by keeping the muscles of your bottom very tight.

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