A barium enema is a routine procedure. You will only be in hospital for about an hour and should be able to go straight home afterwards.
You can take a family member or friend with you, but they may not be allowed into the X-ray room. It is advisable that you bring someone with you to drive you home, as you may not be able to drive straight after the procedure.
Preparing for a barium enema
Before having a barium enema, your bowel should be empty of any stools to make sure clear pictures can be taken. Your doctor will advise you about the type of food you can eat the day before the test.
You will be prescribed a strong laxative to clear your bowel. Follow the instructions carefully and stay at home the day before your test to avoid any inconvenience and to be as comfortable as possible.
If you are diabetic and take insulin or tablets, make sure you eat enough on the day before your test so that your blood sugar levels do not drop. Your doctor and radiologist will give you special advice about what you can eat the day before your procedure.
The procedure
You will be shown to a private cubicle where you can undress and remove any jewellery. You will be asked to put on a gown before being shown into the X-ray room.
You will lie on an X-ray table on your side or front, and a small soft tube will be gently inserted a few centimetres into your bottom (rectum). You may also be given an injection, usually of Buscopan, a drug that helps relax the muscles of the wall of the colon. Many radiologists give this injection routinely at the start of each barium enema procedure, unless you have a history of heart disease or glaucoma.
The barium sulphate liquid is passed through the tube and into your colon, and the radiologist or radiographer will be able to see this on a television screen. You may be asked to lie in a number of different positions to help the flow of the barium liquid, and to get it to spread evenly along the wall of the colon. Air may also be pumped into the colon to expand it and push the barium sulphate liquid inside. This may feel a bit uncomfortable, like having trapped wind.
After the barium has been passed into the colon, a number of X-ray pictures will be taken from various positions. You may be asked to stand up and lie down. As the X-rays are being taken, you will be asked to hold your breath.
The test usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes and is not painful, although you may feel a little discomfort. When the X-rays have been taken, the tube will be removed and you can then go to the toilet.
The test results will be sent to your GP within 14 days.
Does it hurt?
Having a barium enema should not hurt but may cause some discomfort. Some people experience cramp-like pain during and a short while after the procedure.
Some people also worry that they may not be able to hold the barium liquid and air in their bowel. Try to hold on to it by keeping the muscles of your bottom very tight, because if you let go too soon it may affect the X-ray images.
Some people leak barium fluid onto the X-ray table, but try not to worry too much about this happening.
Afterwards
You can normally eat straight away after the procedure, but it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids for three days afterwards to avoid constipation. After the procedure:
- You will need to go to the toilet. It's a good idea to stay close to a toilet for the next few hours.
- Your stools will appear white and discoloured for a few days. This is the barium liquid passing out of your system.
- If you have a Buscopan injection, you will need to wait up to an hour before you drive as it can blur your vision. It is best to take someone with you to drive you home.
The radiology department
The radiology (X-ray or imaging) department is an area of a hospital where radiological examinations of patients are carried out, such as:
Radiologists are doctors who are specially trained to carry out examinations and interpret medical images, such as X-rays.
Radiologists are supported by radiographers, who are trained to carry out X-rays and other imaging procedures.