| Upper GI
What is an upper GI and why is
it necessary?
An upper gastrointestinal, or upper GI, series requires that you
drink a barium suspension (contrast medium) that is used to coat
the stomach wall so that it can be visualized with x-ray. This examination
is used to identify problems within the upper gastrointestinal tract,
including the esophagus, stomach and small intestine (small bowel).
What can I expect from the upper GI
series?
You will need to change out of your clothes into a gown. The radiologic technologist
will position you on a special movable table behind an x-ray device called
a fluoroscope. You will be asked to drink liquid barium while the radiologist
or radiologist's physician assistant watches the movement of the barium on
a television monitor. After taking x-rays of selected areas, the technologist
will then use a different piece of x-ray equipment to evaluate the entire upper
digestive tract. To get all the pictures needed for an upper GI series, you
will be asked to turn in different positions and to hold your breath while
the x-rays are being taken. The time for an average barium swallow exam is
10 to 15 minutes. The time for an average upper GI exam is 15 to 20 minutes.
If you are also scheduled to have a small bowel series, the time is considerably longer. For a small bowel series, we must follow the barium that you drank through the entire small intestine (approximately 22 feet) until it has reached the colon. Since everyone's digestive system is different, the length of time for this exam varies greatly but is usually one to two hours.
After the exam is complete, you can resume your regular diet, unless otherwise directed by your physician. Barium can cause constipation and may slightly color your stool whitish for the next day or two. To help you eliminate the barium used for your x-ray examination, we recommend that you drink several glasses of water or juice after the procedure, followed by a mild laxative. |
