Examinations of the GI tract using barium and xrays are becoming less common. Which proceedures are less common or non exsistant now and why is that so? Have you had a barium exam? Share your experiences.
209988
I agree with Kammy, but I'd just like to add...\n\nWe don't use barium where I work for CT contrast studies - it creates a lot of artefact on the images.  For GI studies, we use Gastrograffin.  We have replaced barium enemas with CT virtual colonoscopies, which use air as the contrast medium.  In fact, the only time we do a barium enema is after a failed (regular) colonoscopy.  \n\nWe still do barium swallows quite commonly, as they not only show the anatomy of the area, but the function of it as well.  CT can't replace the functionality of the barium swallow.\n\nSmall bowel follow throughs were never particularly common at my work - more often than not, they are done for therapeutic reasons rather than diagnostic.  Again, we prefer to use Gastroview, because mostly they're done where there is a suspicion of a perforation.
51297
It sounds to me like it IS your gall bladder. Tell your dr. to do a HIDA-SCAN. I had gone through about 4 mths of pain and test then finally a dr. said he wanted to do an ultrasound AND a hida-scan. I was fine on the ultra sound but the hida scan showed that when my gall bladder expanded it was fine but when it was supposed to contract back it didn't. It is a VERY painless procedure. They just push in some dye like an IV and run the test to make it expand then wait for 5 minutes and push in some more dye and see if it contracts like it supposed to. EASY TEST. The surgery is easy as well. Good Luck. OR it could be that you are just eating too fast.
325067
calcium deposits -go to yahoo health and read up.  some people have alternative therepy in whirlpool to break them up by electronic wave.that makes easier to pass.  heard it is way worse for guys like passing a prickly grape thru there.ouch ! thats pretty good that you ask to help her.  good guy:)--so i would say change in diet possibly could help
206357
An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series examines the upper and middle portions of the gastrointestinal tract (intestines) using contrast material, fluoroscopy, and X-ray. Before the test, you will swallow liquid barium (barium contrast material) and water. The barium is often combined with gas-producing crystals. Your doctor then tracks the progress of the barium through your esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (duodenum) using fluoroscopy connected to a video monitor. Several X-ray pictures are usually taken at different times and from different directions.\n\nThe short answer is they will most likley feed him some formula and then put him on a lil x-ray bed and take a few pictures.  You won't be in the room but you will be behind a transparent lead glass(to protect you from exess x-ray) and will be able to see your child at all times.
209766
I used to think that a physical consisted of pulling my underware down and hopping around like a bunny but I found out during my second physical in life that that is not standard practice.  I'm still looking for that bastard!\n\nSTD tests are not standard unless you request it.  everyone I have had consist of blood work, turn head and cough and check every hole in your body.  I have never heard of someone getting an x-ray unless they have had previous medical problems.
629427
I don't think the doc will care, and they don't so much look at is as stick their finger in it to check your prostate.  At least now you won't be so freaked out when he does.  (Sorry, had to say it.)  I would recommend not to tell that story around at BCT though.  Thank you for your support in the military.\n\nP.S. bostonianinmo, LOL!!!
377967
Do you mean an ultrasound? I have had it done plenty of times it's not bit deal. Now, if they are going to do an intravaginal ultrasound that can be a little uncomfortable but just try to relax and it will be over soon. Good luck. If it's just an x-ray or MRI no big deal either. Unless it is a closed MRI I am closterphobic so it was hard for me.
185758
Yes, it could be scarring in your esophagas from reflux of acid. You need an upper GI xray.
587914
My sister is 52 and currently in chemo for this condition. She has already lost most of her colon, is on an ileostomy and is hoping for reconnection of her intestines in 4 months. She is at stage 3. There is nothing normal about going through this. Yes, we have the genetic predisposition but she ignored the symptoms for 2 years prior to seeking treatment. There is every reason to believe that survival is the prognosis. Inconvenience and time were her excuses. Now, she knows a colonoscopy and simple test would have taken less time and been less inconvenient.
325185
It can happen at any age although it is most common in the elderly, because they have decreased bowel motility and tend not to take in a lot of fluids.  They would have to remove the obstruction surgically
607755
X-Ray I have osteoporosis and have broken countless major bone and often didn't know it until I was X-Rayed days late. Last year I literally shattered my kneecap in Too many fragments to count and I wouldn't have even known if I had not said something to the Dr. for an unrelated visit.
321702
Cause the MRI is the best Equipment in medical imaging to have high contrast images to soft tissues\n\nand these images cant be done by Xray and CT cause X ray beam have very high attenuation to bones .... the used more in image the skull and bone structures
51584
i think that long-time exposer to X-rays is very bad for you. i think that when a cell is struck by an X-ray it is damaged, hence the lead aprons when you get an X-ray. i think that it would hurt people that get alot of expoture to the X-rays, such as frequent flyers and aiport workers
395041
Did your uncle have a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy? Doctors pump air into the the lower colon or colon to inflate it so they can see inside  better. Air can sometimes become trapped after that procedure and can be very uncomfortable, especially if the patient feels sick anyway.\n\nThe doctor may be worried that your uncle is still in so much pain and ill health. You should ask the doctor if he is worried that there is air in the colon because he suspects more cancer, or if he is concerned about your uncles discomfort. That is the only way you will know for sure.
93077
I am a registered CT technologist.  We routinely do follow up scans on nodules.  I have never heard of someone having follow up scans every 6 months for three years when the nodules have not changed. Most calcified nodules I have seen are related to TB exposure.  I would suggest you make an appointment with a specialist.  Bring ALL of your imaging reports and x-rays, and get a second opinion.  I do believe that sometimes doctors are over cautious for fear of a malpractice suit.  And sometimes, doctors are unsure of their diagnosis and skill, and they order more exams than necessary.    For example, a referring physician that orders a mammogram on a 91 year old woman, who is on oxygen and half dead.  She couldn't survive breast cancer surgery if needed, and even if she had breast cancer, the lung disease/old age would kill her first.  But, gotta order that mammogram to cover his butt.  CYA  (Cover your A**) is practiced.  It is a sad commentary on our society, the sue happy Americans.  Please consider a second opinion.  Good luck to you!
135606
i had my gallbladder removed a year ago I'm 18 now and it was really scary the doc said i had something else wrong with me ..my liver was enlarger and i had a stone in my pancreas..i waited too long and the pain was soooo bad...after surgery you get really bad shoulder pain because the air they put into your stomach has no where too go. i read that alot of ppl had diarrhea after the surgery. i didn't have that . my stomach was really score i have 3 tiny scares on my stomach now. i find tho that if you don't watch what you eat you will get another attack i still cant eat anything fattening. Ive gotten a few gallbladder attacks since. but the diarrhea isn't anything to worry
543128
Hi.  im suffering from a ulcerative colitis at the moment.  I have been taking 40 mg. of prednizone, 9 colazal pills and 75 mg of mercaptopurine (6mp) and one rowasa enema at nights.  I have blood in my stool, my stool is very lose and cramping each and everytime.  I was doing really good for the last four years, until i had one alcholic beverage, which they tell you not to have, and the flairups started five weeks ago.  My dr. told me to stay away from fruits, vegtables, red meat, fried food,  dairy food, caffine, soda and juice.  he said to only eat white stuff like chicken, pasta, rice, white bread until i see some improvement.  so far im doing a little bit better then i was five weeks ago, but hopefully i'll see some changes soon. if you see no changes in your condition please talk to your gastro. dr. and see what other meds. he can give you.  you had not mentioned your meds. so dont be affraid, im 41 years old and i have been living with this conditon since i was 17.  Just make sure you get your yearly colonoscopy done in time to make sure things are ok and dont stress out cause stress can really affect the colitis, i know its hard, but until they find a cure for us this is the best we can do,  best wishes to you and i wish you a speady recovery.