Barium meal is not recommended because adverse reactions such as constipation, intestinal obstruction and allergy may occur after barium meal examination. There are many groups of people who are not suitable for barium meal, such as patients with intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation.
Patients suspected of having intestinal obstruction cannot undergo barium meal examination because the barium meal contrast agent consumed cannot be eliminated from the body, but will further aggravate intestinal obstruction. Patients suspected of having gastrointestinal perforation also cannot do it because after taking barium sulfate, it may overflow to the abdominal cavity through the perforation and form a package.
If there is acute bleeding, acute inflammation or surgery or other injuries in the digestive tract, barium meal test is not suitable for them and they should be observed for a period of time before doing the test. Moreover, the process of barium meal examination takes a period of time, so if the patient is physically weak and cannot cooperate with the whole examination, it is also not suitable for barium meal examination.
Therefore, whether to do barium meal test or not should be evaluated by the doctor in combination with the related symptoms, and the test should be completed under the doctor’s guidance.