Question 1

is barium swallow a very common procedure?

Accepted Answer

Barium swallow tests: There are a variety of ways a barium swallow test can be conducted.  The most common is simply having the patient swallow oral contrast while the radiologist watches the passage of barium down the esophagus.  Sometimes different textures of barium are tested to see how each moves from the mouth to the esophagus and down.  A modified barium swallow with speech therapist helps assess for aspiration.

Question 2

where do i go to get a barium swallow done?

Accepted Answer

Radiology: Barium swallows are done in a radiology suite but must be ordered by a physician.

Question 3

what happens during a modified barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

Nothing too exciting: We can't take pictures of your GI tract very well, so as a substitute you swallow dense material (barium) which coats your tract and they take pictures, as it goes down or after it goes down, to look for structural abnormalities.  Basically you swallow a few gulps, turn a few different positions, maneuver in a few different ways for the camera.  It's pretty harmless.

Question 4

how common is it for someone to need  a barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

Very: Simple, cost effective procedure looking at the lining of the esophagus and stomach.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

X-rays of swallow: A liquid with barium (which shows as white on an x-ray) is given to you to swallow while x-rays or a flouroscope records how your mouth and throat behave during the swallow to see if there are any problems with the swallow reflex.

Question 6

what requires immediate help after having a modified barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration: Aspiration of food or liquids consistently would necessitate immediate intervention of some type.

Question 7

what is the difference between a barium swallow and a modified barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

Area of interest: The terms are often interchanged though do have differences in medical billing and exact procedure type.  A barium swallow is often synonymous with an esophagram to look at the whole of the esophagus. A 'modified barium swallow' is usually performed in conjunction with a Speech Pathologist and is specifically looking at the swallowing mechanism of the mouth and oral phaynx to the upper esophagus.

Question 8

please tell me the difference between barium swallow and modified barium swallow?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration or not: Barium swallow is another name for an esophagram, which evaluates the esophagus for difficulties of food passing though. Modified barium swallow is done to determine whether someone can swallow certain different textures of food without aspirating on them (aka whether they can keep them out of their lungs).

Question 9

if i take a modified barium swallow exam do i also need to a barium swallow exam? does modified barium swallow exam covers both?

Accepted Answer

A modified barium: swallow evaluates the swallowing mechanism, pharynx, hypopharynx, and upper esophagus.  A standard barium swallow evaluates the whole esophagus but does not provide a detailed evaluation of swallowing, so they are different exams.  If you need both, the exams could potentially be combined into one visit. Just because you are having a modified doesn't mean you need the standard, though.

Question 10

what ingredients are in a barium swallow. wondering if it is gluten free?

Accepted Answer

Yes...: The barium part of the barium swallow is gluten free. 

If you are having a speech therapist present to do a video swallow, they sometimes give products for you to eat that are coated in barium that may contain gluten. Check with your doc or call the radiology department where the test will be performed.

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Barium swallow ingredients

A member asked:

Is barium swallow a very common procedure?

A member asked:

Where do i go to get a barium swallow done?

A member asked:

What happens during a modified barium swallow?

A member asked:

How common is it for someone to need a barium swallow?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: barium swallow?

A member asked:

What requires immediate help after having a modified barium swallow?

A member asked:

What is the difference between a barium swallow and a modified barium swallow?

A member asked:

Please tell me the difference between barium swallow and modified barium swallow?

A member asked:

If i take a modified barium swallow exam do i also need to a barium swallow exam? does modified barium swallow exam covers both?

A member asked:

What ingredients are in a barium swallow. wondering if it is gluten free?

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