Consumer Information

Barium Enema

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Barium enema, also called BE, is an x-ray procedure to examine the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT) using barium. Liquid barium is a white, chalky contrast material that helps the colon show up better on the x-ray. Barium enema is used to help diagnose diseases and other problems that affect the lower GIT. These may include abdominal (stomach) pain, bleeding, blockage, cancer (tumor), polyps (growths), or diverticuli (pouches in the intestinal wall). The lower GIT is made up of the colon (large bowel) and rectum (rear end). The colon is the long tube that connects the small bowel with the anus (opening through which stool passes). The colon absorbs water from digested foods and turns the digested food into stool. It stores the stool until it passes out through your anus.
A barium enema may be done on an out-patient basis or during a hospital stay. Barium enemas may use a single contrast (barium only) or double contrast (barium and air). Barium is put in through a tube that is inserted into your rectum. The colon may also be filled with air to distend (expand) it and give better images. With a barium enema, conditions of the lower GIT may be diagnosed, and proper treatment may be given.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Barium enema is a common and safe procedure. Sometimes, the procedure may cause unpleasant side effects. You may have bleeding, an abnormal heartbeat, or cramping abdominal (stomach) pain. Your colon may get perforated (torn) due to increased pressure while the barium and air are passing through. This may cause bowel contents to leak out of the colon into the abdomen. The barium may harden if it not cleared out of your colon after the procedure. This may lead to a partial or complete blockage of your colon. Following your caregiver's advice after the procedure may decrease your chance of having any problems.
Without this procedure, your exact disease may not be diagnosed and proper treatment may not be given. The signs and symptoms you have may continue and worsen. You may have problems eating, digesting food, or moving your bowel that may lead to other serious medical problems. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your procedure, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
Gown: A hospital gown is used so that caregivers can easily check and treat you. Caregivers will show you how to put on your gown. When you feel better you may be able to wear your own gown or pajamas.
Pre-op care: You may be given medicine right before your procedure or surgery. This medicine may make you feel relaxed and sleepy. You are taken on a stretcher to the room where your procedure or surgery will be done, and then you are moved to a table or bed.

During your procedure:

Once you are transferred onto the special table or bed, you will be asked to lie on your left side. Your caregiver may use a finger to perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your rectum. X-ray pictures are taken before filling your colon with barium. Your caregiver will watch the whole procedure on a small video screen.
During a single contrast barium enema, a soft tube with lubricant (jelly) is gently placed into your rectum. The barium is then passed through the tube into the colon. A small balloon on the tip of the tube is inflated to help hold the barium in your colon. You may have an urge to have a bowel movement (BM). Take small, deep breaths through your mouth, and try to hold everything inside your colon. Pictures are taken as the bed or table moves and as you change positions. You may be asked to lie on your back, abdomen, and then on your left side.
If a double contrast barium enema is done, the barium is drained out of the rectum. Your caregiver then puts air or carbon dioxide (gas) into the tube to expand (distend) your colon. Pictures are taken to see how the air or gas moves inside your colon. When the procedure is finished, the tube is removed. You may then go to the bathroom and get rid of whatever barium is left inside your colon. Additional pictures are taken after you have passed out as much barium as possible.

After your procedure: You may go back to the bathroom to pass the remaining barium and air left in your rectum. You may also lie in bed and rest for a while since the procedure may be tiring. When your caregiver sees that you are OK, you may be allowed to go home. If your caregiver wants you to stay in the hospital, you will be taken back to your hospital room. Ask your caregiver for information on how to take care of yourself after your procedure.

Bedpan: You may not be able to get out of bed to urinate or to have a bowel movement (BM). If you cannot get out of bed you will use a bedpan. Ask your caregivers if you need help using the bedpan.
Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.
Drinking liquids: Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can also be counted in your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty.
Medicines: You may need any of the following:
- Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.
- Stool softeners: You may be given stool softeners to soften your bowel movements, making them easier to pass.
Monitoring: Caregivers may check for your pulses on your arms or wrists. This helps caregivers learn if you have problems with blood flow after your procedure. They may also check your blood pressure and respirations (breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which reads your blood pressure.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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