What is the most common complication of a barium enema?

The most common risk of a barium enema is an allergic reaction to the barium solution. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Other rare complications from a barium enema may include: inflammation of the tissues around your colon.

What are the side effects of a barium enema?

laxative side effects – side effects such as feeling sick, a mild headache and bloating are common, but shouldn’t last long. barium side effects – barium is usually harmless, but it can cause an upset stomach or constipation, and can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases.

Does barium enema have radiation?

Barium Enema Risks Though the amount of radiation you get is low, too much radiation from X-rays can cause cancer. But it takes years for this to happen, and the chance of getting cancer is small when compared to the benefit of how easily a barium enema can diagnose a problem.

How long does barium stay in your system?

For 1 to 3 days after the test, your stool (feces) will look white from the barium. If the barium stays in your intestine, it can harden and cause a blockage.

How safe is barium enema?

A barium enema exam poses few risks. Rarely, complications of a barium enema exam may include: Inflammation in tissues surrounding the colon. Obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract.

Is barium enema better than colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is more accurate than barium enema in detecting polyps, cancers, and colitis. Colonoscopy also has the added advantage of being able to remove polyps and obtain biopsies (tiny tissue samples for analysis under a microscope) at the same time of the procedure.

Are barium enemas safe?

How do you flush barium out of your system?

You should drink lots of fluids and eat high-fiber foods to help move the barium through your digestive tract and out of your body. If that doesn’t help, your doctor might give you a laxative to help move it through. After your procedure, you might notice that your bowel movements are lighter in color.

How is barium excreted from the body?

In healthy subjects, orally administered barium sulfate is generally excreted within 24 hours. Rectally administered barium sulfate is eliminated with clearance of the enema 5. Barium sulfate is excreted unchanged in the feces 3.

Can barium get stuck in colon?

Ileus caused by impaction of hardened residual barium stagnated in the colon-a rare complication of barium-meal examination-constitutes a particularly serious problem when it occurs following abdominal operations, leading to postoperative ileus.

Is a barium enema safe?

What symptoms would lead to a doctor to recommend a barium enema?

If you experience a change in your bowel habits, your doctor may order a barium enema to help evaluate your symptoms. For example, a barium enema may be necessary to explain symptoms such as diarrhea, blood in the stool, or abdominal pain.