Barium X-rays are diagnostic X-rays in which barium is used to diagnose abnormalities of the digestive tract.
With a barium swallow, you will be asked to drink a chalky colored liquid that contains barium.
Some people have described this as drinking a flavorless strawberry shake.
Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell
A barium swallow may sometimes be used to detectesophageal cancer.
Barium studies may also be used to look further down into the digestive tract.
Both of these tests are usually ordered as an outpatient procedure in the hospital radiology department.
Some people are unable to tolerate the barium and vomit, but this is uncommon.
Aspiration of the barium solution into the lungs is uncommon as well.
Some people may worry about radiation exposure.
Alternatives
Barium studies are most often done in combination with other digestive tract tests.
These may include anupper endoscopy, pH examination, and monitoring, manometry, or other imaging studies.
2019;34(6):922-929. doi:10.1007/s00455-019-09993-w
