What is a barium gastrointestinal contrast test? Barium refers to barium sulfate. In the X-ray, the barium swallowed into the gastrointestinal tract can clearly show the shape of the gastrointestinal tract, so that some gastrointestinal lesions can be detected. In the X-ray shown in Figure 3-2, the white barium highlights the morphology of the stomach and colon. Barium contrast examination is relatively inexpensive; there is little pain to the patient during the examination; the contrast agent cannot be absorbed after entering the stomach and intestines, and it will all be excreted with the feces after the examination, which is not harmful to the patient. The following aspects can be observed through the gastrointestinal barium contrast examination Whether the esophagus, stomach and intestinal tract are open, and whether there is narrowing or dilatation. Whether the walls of the gastrointestinal tract are smooth, with or without depressions or bulges. Whether there is any change in the shape of the stomach and intestines. The peristaltic speed of the stomach and intestines and the opening and closing of the cardia or pylorus. In addition, barium is made into small barium strips and swallowed with food at the same time, and X-ray pictures are taken of the abdomen at certain intervals, and the time of food passing through the gastrointestinal tract can be understood by observing the movement position of the barium strips in the gastrointestinal tract. Generally speaking, gastrointestinal barium imaging is valuable for the diagnosis of many diseases such as esophageal tumor, gastric ulcer, gastric prolapse, gastric cancer, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis and many other diseases. X-rays are a type of radiation that can penetrate through different materials of different textures. The normal structures of the human body and certain diseased structures often have different textures, so it is possible to detect lesions through X-ray examination. How do I cooperate with my doctor for a barium imaging test? Do not take drugs containing iron or calcium, or drugs that affect gastrointestinal motility such as morpholine and 654-2 3 days before receiving barium gastrointestinal contrast examination. To avoid interfering with the examination by mixing contrast with food, some examinations will require the person undergoing the examination not to eat anything within 12 hours before the examination, for example, if the person undergoes the examination at 9:00 a.m., he/she will not eat from 9:00 p.m. the day before. In order to avoid any fecal masses in the colon that may interfere with the test, the doctor will ask the patient to take some medication before the colonoscopy so that all the fecal matter in the colon will be expelled from the body. If a barium contrast test has been done in the past, bring the past test results to the doctor so that the doctor can compare and analyze the changes in the condition.