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What Is Barium Swallow Conducted For Other Than For Cancer Detection?
Question: Good Morning,
On Aug 3rd I had a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy. The colonoscopy found 6 begnig. Polyps and upper endoscopy normal.
I had Gerd prior to the above tests and the Gerd got worse. I was on Omperazole 40 mg it was working then stopped. Symptoms got bad. Now I'm on protonix and ranitidine. Seems a little better.
They are sending me for barium swallow. I'm really scared. Barium swallow is used to detect cancer and I wonder if they suspect something. What is barium swallow for?
On Aug 3rd I had a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy. The colonoscopy found 6 begnig. Polyps and upper endoscopy normal.
I had Gerd prior to the above tests and the Gerd got worse. I was on Omperazole 40 mg it was working then stopped. Symptoms got bad. Now I'm on protonix and ranitidine. Seems a little better.
They are sending me for barium swallow. I'm really scared. Barium swallow is used to detect cancer and I wonder if they suspect something. What is barium swallow for?
Brief Answer:
Barium for motility studies.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
Barium swallow is done to see the motility of the esophagus, any reflux and so on and not for cancer. For cancer Upper GI endoscopy has already been done. At the most a CT scan is indicated in suspected case.
For GERD: you need to request for additional medication like Domperidone or Metoclopramide which act as anti-reflux and take antacid whenever you are on empty stomach.
Also needed is control of stress and anxiety being the most important instigating or enhancing factor.
Foods and beverages to be taken that suit you the most.
Small frequent meals of soft bland diet.
I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Barium for motility studies.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
Barium swallow is done to see the motility of the esophagus, any reflux and so on and not for cancer. For cancer Upper GI endoscopy has already been done. At the most a CT scan is indicated in suspected case.
For GERD: you need to request for additional medication like Domperidone or Metoclopramide which act as anti-reflux and take antacid whenever you are on empty stomach.
Also needed is control of stress and anxiety being the most important instigating or enhancing factor.
Foods and beverages to be taken that suit you the most.
Small frequent meals of soft bland diet.
I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the information. They did mention something about hiatl hernia one that slides that could have been missed on colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. My mind is a little more at ease now and will even be better after I have the barium swallow. I hope they don't find anything.
I also went to an ENT doctor who looked down my throat through my nose and said everything looks good no signs of abnormalities or cancer so I guess that's a good thing
I also went to an ENT doctor who looked down my throat through my nose and said everything looks good no signs of abnormalities or cancer so I guess that's a good thing
Brief Answer:
Control of anxiety and/or stress
Detailed Answer:
I can understand your apprehension.
Let the Barium reports come then to decide.
It is good to know that ENT Check up was normal.
It is the anxiety and/or stress that instigate or enhance the symptoms of GERD hence should be control by any possible means.
Control of anxiety and/or stress
Detailed Answer:
I can understand your apprehension.
Let the Barium reports come then to decide.
It is good to know that ENT Check up was normal.
It is the anxiety and/or stress that instigate or enhance the symptoms of GERD hence should be control by any possible means.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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