Medical Health Tests >>  Articles >>  General Articles

Barium Enema Side Effects



 Submitted by Nic on June 3, 2011
A barium enema procedure is used to check for abnormalities in the lining of the colon and rectum. These parts of the body are at the lower end of the human digestive system. These parts may be susceptible to conditions such as ulcerative colitis or colon cancer. The swift and accurate detection of these conditions is necessary for treatment to commence. A barium enema is conducted on a patient with an empty stomach. Fasting is of particular importance in this case as the body should be completely rid of all foods, including wastes. Doctors may give the patient a laxative to promote bowel movements and rid the body of all food and waste material.

The patient is given a barium contrast fluid through a tube placed inside the anus. This tube will fill some fluid and may also be used to fill air into the area. Following this, the patient will be made to undertake a series of different imaging tests, usually with a CT scan machine. These images are taken from different angles so that different views of the area can be generated. The movement of the patient from one position to the next will also ensure that there is proper coating of the lining by the barium substance.

As with most medical tests, there are some barium enema side effects. The most common barium enema side effects include problems with defecation. Some people experience constipation after the procedure while others may experience fecal incontinence. This varies from case to case and is usually temporary, resolving itself within 48 hours. Individuals may also feel another of the barium enema side effects which is that of bloating and digestive discomfort during the test. This is only because the body is filled with air and the barium enema substance. The barium enema side effects on children are rather more noticeable as compared to the barium enema effects in adults

Normally, there are no barium enema side effects on the kidneys. This is because the barium contrast material does not get absorbed into the body. It therefore will not be present in the blood and will not affect the kidneys whatsoever. The kidneys may be affected by an upper gastrointestinal barium contrast test where the barium gets absorbed into the blood.

There are also more serious complications listed under barium enema side effects. These include perforation of the bowel and a number of other complications including hemorrhaging. These complications are rare enough for them to be ignored by doctors administering the barium enema test.
Read more articles from the General Articles Category.
Related Topics
Related Questions
Search

Today's
Poll

Does Gait analysis help in Physical therapy?
MedicalHealthTests© Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.