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Barium Enema Instructions: English

If you are unable to keep this appointment, please cancel and/or reschedule 24 hours in advance by calling 205-930-3278.

Where:	Report to the Radiology Department on first floor of Cooper Green Hospital. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time in order to be registered.
Purpose:	To examine the colon, by coating its inner surface with barium and then distending it with air. In this way, surface appearances can be studies and even small abnormalities detected.
Preparation:	If you are a woman of childbearing age and there is a chance you may be pregnant, please consult your physician before scheduling this exam. Your normal medications may be taken prior to your test. Pills should be taken early in the morning, with just a small amount of water. If you take insulin, you must consult your doctor about adjusting your dose. You should not take insulin if you are fasting for your exam. However, you should bring your insulin with you so you can take it after the exam. Also, when making an appointment, tell the scheduler if you are diabetic and request an appointment time early in the day. Preparing your colon: It needs to free of waste matter or fecal contents, which could cause misleading x-ray appearances similar to those of a tumor. For this purpose, you should go to any local pharmacy such as Walmart, Walgreen, CVS, etc. and purchase a bottle of Magnesium Citrate and at least 4 DULCOLAX® tablets.  On the day before your examination ONLY clear liquids may be taken (water, apple juice, cranberry juice, bouillon soup, tea or coffee without milk or sugar, Jell-O). Be sure to drink a sufficient amount of fluid. At 6:00 pm, drink the entire contents of the bottle of magnesium citrate.  It tastes better when it is very cold, so you may want to chill it beforehand or pour it over ice. At 7:00 pm, drink a large glass of water or juice. At 8:00 or 9:00 pm, take four (4) DULCOLAX® tablets with a least one full glass of water. DO NOT CRUSH OR CHEW THE TABLETS, SWALLOW THEM WHOLE. On the day of the examination: Nothing further (liquid or solid) may be taken by mouth. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may want to bring a warm robe or a sweater to keep you warm while waiting for the test. Please do not bring children with you to the appointment.
What to Expect:	The examination: You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table. A tube will be inserted into the rectum by the radiographer. The radiologist will allow liquid barium to flow gently into your rectum and this will be followed by the introduction of air. You will be asked to turn several times on the x-ray table in order to outline and examine all parts of the colon. Images will be taken both by the radiologist and the radiographer. After the images have been taken you will be free to go to the bathroom and eliminate the barium. Sometimes additional images are required following elimination. The radiologist's report of the results will be sent to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results of the test with you.
After Care:	In most patients with normal bowel habits barium will pass in one or two days in the form of "white stools". We do recommend increasing fluid intake. Patients with a history of constipation may take a mild laxative such as Milk of Magnesium.
Questions:	Please call 205-930-3278 if you have additional questions.

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