Barium enema or lower gastro intestinal examination is a procedure that involves the use of barium sulfate to enable the X-ray diagnosis of colon cancer, bowel diseases and their development, determine the shape, size and structure of the large intestine and detect ulcers. The solution improves the clarity of the examination; when the x-ray is taken the colon appears as milky track on the micro film whereas the defective parts are black. The process can be done in two ways; the colon is filled with the non absorbed chalky barium solution and the x-ray taken also called as single contrast study, and the other one is where the colon is filled with the solution then emptied before the x-ray or the double or air contrast study. The choice on which one to be taken is dependant on the susceptibility of the patient to the barium solution. The barium solution is made to fill the colon up to the caecum through movements in different directions, being given an injection to relax you intestinal muscles and through passing some air through the colon to make the barium touch the colon surfaces.
Before the procedure the doctor must determine its safety on the patient depending on; whether one is pregnant for x-rays; are not recommended for expectant mothers, if you have insulin dependant diabetes, your allergy to different materials as latex which is used to manufacturer surgical gloves, any allergy to barium composition and if you have had an upper gastrointestinal examination recently. Also you should keep to the instructions of the doctor prior to the procedure as diet and directions on eliminating stool in the colon before the examination.
If the above is followed there is minimal risks in the examination; only the possibility of blocking the colon path due to the residues of the barium solution if it is not well cleaned. The low x-ray radiation is not much of a risk except to children and the expectant women. Just like any other procedure there are minor side effects as stomach discomfort, nausea, dizziness due to colon muscles’ relaxing injections administered to you hence you should not handle any machine immediately, minor constipation which can be healed by taking a lot of fluids and consuming fresh fruits. Other rare but serious complications that calls for medical attention immediately are; blood on your stool due to injury on the colon after the barium enema and complications due to the effects of the administered injection.
Despite barium enema requiring few days of preparation it is very simple taking less than one hour after which you are free to go home; it is more of an out patient procedure than an in patient one. You should report to your doctor any side effects experienced during your follow up therapy as those outlined above no matter how minor they maybe.
Today this enema therapy is slowly being phased out by more sophisticated procedures as the colonoscopy which is very easy to perform but some special cases require its undertaking due to lack available professionals and equipment in many places.
