Get Information For Patients Scheduled For Barium Enemas - Ethnomed

On the day before the procedure you will likely be asked not to eat, and to drink only clear liquids like juice, tea, black coffee, cola or broth, and to avoid dairy products. After midnight, you should not eat or drink anything.

Before having a barium test bowel habits – if you are constipated, you will be given a laxative the night before the barium meal. For the enema, you will be given a specific diet and laxatives to ensure the bowel is clear. You will probably need to take the laxatives for two days before the test.

Usually, a barium small-bowel follow through can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before the examination. An enema or laxative may be given on the day before the test to clear feces from the bowel.

Instruct the patient to eat a low-residue diet for several days before the procedure and consume only clear liquids during the 24 hr before the procedure, including the evening before the test. There are no activity restrictions unless by medical direction.

You may be asked not to eat and to drink only clear liquids — such as water, tea or coffee without milk or cream, broth, and clear carbonated beverages. Fast after midnight. Usually, you'll be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight before the exam. Take a laxative the night before the exam.

Barium may cause constipation or possible impaction after the procedure if it isn't completely eliminated from your body. You may be advised to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fiber to expel the barium from the body. You may also be given a cathartic or laxative to help expel the barium.

Before having a barium test bowel habits – if you are constipated, you will be given a laxative the night before the barium meal. For the enema, you will be given a specific diet and laxatives to ensure the bowel is clear. You will probably need to take the laxatives for two days before the test.

TWO DAYS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT: a) Drink only clear liquids. Meals may include clear broth, strained fruit, juices, Gatorade, tea and coffee without milk, carbonated beverages, Jell-O or popsicles (however, avoid red Gatorade, Jell-O and popsicles). Do not eat solid food or milk.